Focus
Experience silence in the midst of your busy day. Take some time to relax into a time to be with God.
Read
Isaiah 41:1-12
Listen to me in silence, O coastlands;
let the peoples renew their strength;
let them approach, then let them speak;
let us together draw near for judgment.
2 Who has roused a victor from the east,
summoned him to his service?
He delivers up nations to him,
and tramples kings under foot;
he makes them like dust with his sword,
like driven stubble with his bow.
3 He pursues them and passes on safely,
scarcely touching the path with his feet.
4 Who has performed and done this,
calling the generations from the beginning?
I, the Lord, am first,
and will be with the last.
5 The coastlands have seen and are afraid,
the ends of the earth tremble;
they have drawn near and come.
6 Each one helps the other,
saying to one another, “Take courage!”
7 The artisan encourages the goldsmith,
and the one who smooths with the hammer encourages the one who strikes the anvil,
saying of the soldering, “It is good”;
and they fasten it with nails so that it cannot be moved.
8 But you, Israel, my servant,
Jacob, whom I have chosen,
the offspring of Abraham, my friend;
9 you whom I took from the ends of the earth,
and called from its farthest corners,
saying to you, “You are my servant,
I have chosen you and not cast you off”;
10 do not fear, for I am with you,
do not be afraid, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.
11 Yes, all who are incensed against you
shall be ashamed and disgraced;
those who strive against you
shall be as nothing and shall perish.
12 You shall seek those who contend with you,
but you shall not find them;
those who war against you
shall be as nothing at all.
Reflect
As we are currently dealing with a global pandemic there is much uncertainty and anxiety in our world and lives. Our lives have been greatly changed and as creatures of habit, this is very difficult for us. As we watch the news we hear of this viral enemy that moves silently to bring sickness and death. In a pandemic, it is reasonable that we would be filled with fear. In times such as this, we must be reminded that God is God and that God is with us. This passage reminds us that God is awesome and in control of all situations. Because of God’s love and concern for us we have no reason to fear. Twice in verses 10-13, we are told not to fear because God will support us with God’s right hand. The message is crystal clear. We should not be afraid because God is with us and because God will guide us and help us thru any situation we face. God has brought his children through pandemics and all kinds of adversity in the past and God promises to continue to do so. Let us live in the light of Christ and not in the fear of this age.
Pray
Awesome God our protector, we thank you for your providence and love for us. We thank you that you are always with us and protect us from danger. Give us faith so as to have victory over our fears and to live each day in the joy and certain hope of Christ. Amen.
Go with God!
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