Fear Not - 3

Daily Reading: Isaiah 44

Scripture Focus: For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour my Spirit upon your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants...  Fear not, nor be afraid; have I not told you from of old and declared it? And you are my witnesses!  Is there a God besides me?  There is no Rock; I know not any. (Isaiah 44.3, 8)

Devotional Thought:  In recent days, we have seen examples of politicians, protestors, pundits, the populace and police throwing gasoline on the fires of fear in our nation.  In this day of racial tension and social upheaval, we need the refreshing water of peace! 

God says, he will give it!

·       Our land is thirsty.  I grew up in northwestern Ohio, where the farmers were extremely dependent upon the spring and summer rains.  I have vivid memories of droughts when the corn was stunted, the beans were shriveled, and the hay was scorched.  Our nation's thirsty soul needs the rain of heaven.  Fear not!  Instead, pray for an outpouring of the Spirit.

·       Our ground is dry.  Dry ground is hard.  It is stubborn.  It resists the plow for planting, the hoe for weeding, and the spade for building.  But, our nation has a deep stream embedded in its history - the gospel of grace.  Fear not!  Instead pray for a resurgence of the Word of God.

The ancient prophet said the people of God were to be the witnesses of God.  In troubled times, the Church must not be found throwing fuel on the fires of fear.  Instead, may we declare the loving purposes of God and timeless truth of his Word.

There is no God besides our God and we stand firm on the Rock, which is Jesus Christ.  Fear not!

Prayer: With you, O Lord, at my side, with you, O Lord, as my Rock, I know that everything is OK.  Your perfect love casts out all my fear.  Thank you!  Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 78.1-8

1 Give ear, O my people, to my teaching; incline your ears to the words of my mouth!

2 I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings from of old,

3 things that we have heard and known, that our fathers have told us.

4 We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the LORD, and his might, and the wonders that he has done.

5 He established a testimony in Jacob and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers to teach to their children,

6 that the next generation might know them, the children yet unborn, and arise and tell them to their children,

7 so that they should set their hope in God and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments;

8 and that they should not be like their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation, a generation whose heart was not steadfast, whose spirit was not faithful to God.