Labor and Wonder

"Fear not, for I am with you", I panted between contractions.  "Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God."  More contractions.  Focus on the spot on the floor.  "I will strengthen you. Surely I will help you."  Whisperings in the corner between the doctor and my husband.  "Surely I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."  Really?  Now would be a great time for that, Lord. 

In preparation for the birth of our third child 28 years ago, I memorized Isaiah 41:10 to help me focus in labor.  As helpful as those words were the day of Amy's birth, today as I read them, I am struck by their magnificence. 

Take the first phrase:  "Fear not, for I am with you."  Doesn't it open up a huge array of thoughts?  Thoughts about not fearing, about not needing to fear, about Immanuel, God with us!, about Christ's coming to dwell among us, about all the "dwelling" verses, concluding with Revelation 21:3:  Behold the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.  Didn't I tell you these verses were amazing?  More amazing is God Himself, who commands us not to fear because He is our God, the God who dwells in us and with us and is working out His perfect will in the world around us. 

More tomorrow.