Fear Not

Daily Reading: Isaiah 41

Scripture Focus:  Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand… For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you.” (Isaiah 41.10, 13)

Devotional Thought: If you’re looking for good news in the midst of bad, Isaiah 41 is for you today!  We are indeed surrounded by discouraging news, aren’t we?  At times, I just want to turn off the TV, turn off the lights, and lock the door.  But, God has not called us to live fearful, defeated lives!  As a matter of fact, he has defeated our enemies!  God said to the Israelites who were threatened by mortal enemies: “You shall seek those who contend with you, but you shall not find them” (Isaiah 41.12).

For Israel, first it was the Egyptians, then the Philistines, then the Babylonians.  In the course of time and with the protection of God, these mortal enemies were defeated.  Today for Israel, it is the Palestinians, Hamas, and Hezbollah.  These enemies of God will also be defeated. 

And what of Christians?  Who contends against us?  At first it was Rome, but that threat disappeared.  Today, we sometimes feel that we are the target of our own government.  Other times, ISIS seems to float to the top of the threats.  Totalitarian governments and ideologies are systematically and steadily contending against the people of God.  These threats may seem great before us today, but one day we “shall not find them.”

Or, we could take a different tack.  What of disease, death, or destitution?  Those enemies of God’s people have been defeated, too.  At the cross of Jesus, the enemies of God thought they had won, but on the third day Jesus rose from the dead, defeating every enemy of God and of God’s people.  There is no power that can stand against Jesus!

Prayer: Lord, as my prayer today, I rejoice in the words of that great hymn: "Fear not, I am with thee, O be not dismayed, For I am thy God and will still give thee aid; I’ll strengthen and help thee, and cause thee to stand, Upheld by My righteous, omnipotent hand."  Amen. (John Rippon)

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 77.1-9

1 I cry aloud to God, aloud to God, and he will hear me.

2 In the day of my trouble I seek the Lord; in the night my hand is stretched out without wearying; my soul refuses to be comforted.

3 When I remember God, I moan; when I meditate, my spirit faints. Selah

4 You hold my eyelids open; I am so troubled that I cannot speak.

5 I consider the days of old, the years long ago.

6 I said,"Let me remember my song in the night; let me meditate in my heart." Then my spirit made a diligent search:

7 "Will the Lord spurn forever, and never again be favorable?

8 Has his steadfast love forever ceased? Are his promises at an end for all time?

9 Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has he in anger shut up his compassion?" Selah