Back today to Isaiah 41:10, what I like to call my Amy-labor verse: Do not fear, for I am with you; be not anxiously look about you, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, surely I will
help you, surely I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
What makes you look anxiously about, or, as another translation has it, what dismays you? Is it fear of a job loss looming in your future? Is it horror over a wayward child's choices?
Might it be the sense that you will not be able to pay your bills this month? So often in this life we stand on the precipice looking over the edge at projected disasters. What if . . . ?
Read the verse again; is it not enough that He is our God? Read all of Isaiah 41 if you are wondering, and know that he is enough. He, the Creator of the ends of the earth, is our God. He can strengthen us and He will. He can help us and He will.
Our dismay and anxieties vanish as the morning fog as we gaze at this great God who has promised to be our God. And at His right hand reigns the risen glorified victorious Christ, reminding us of the great help with which He has helped us. You will be upheld.
"You will be upheld." This reminded me of verses that have been much in my heart and mind in recent days--
ReplyDelete"If the Lord had not been my help, my soul would soon have lived in the land of silence. When I thought, 'My foot slips,' your steadfast love, O Lord, held me up. When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul." Psalm 94:17-19
"...gaze at this great God..."
ReplyDeleteThis line brought to mind the last verse of a hymn that has been a precious one in my family for many years. All the verses are wonderful:
My God, how wonderful Thou art,
Thy majesty, how bright!
How beautiful thy mercy-seat
In depths of burning light!
O how I fear Thee, living God,
With deepest, tenderest fears;
And worship Thee with trembling hope
And penitential tears.
Yet I may love Thee too, O Lord,
Almighty as Thou art;
For Thou hast stooped to ask of me
The love of my poor heart.
No earthly father loves like Thee,
No mother, half so mild,
Bears and forbears as Thou hast done
With me, Thy sinful child.
Father of Jesus, Love Divine,
What rapture will it be,
Prostrate before Thy throne to lie,
And gaze and gaze on Thee!
I love these old hymns! We would do well to memorize them and bring them to mind regularly. What wonderful words. Thanks for sharing all the verses with us!
DeleteJean