The Holy One of Israel

 

"Fear not, you men of Israel," Isaiah 41:14 tells us.  Why should they not fear?  They have everything to fear: their own exile, other nations that despise them, their own wicked kings.  In fact, God calls them worms, so you could say that they should mostly fear Him who has the power of life and death in His hands.  So why should they NOT fear?  "I am the one who helps you, declares the Lord; your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel."  Oh Lord, let our words be few  as we contemplate this rock-solid truth that the Holy One of Israel is our Redeemer!

 

How can we be dismayed?  Who is left to fear?  Because the Holy One of Israel is our Redeemer, we shall "thresh the mountains and crush them", and all manner of other great deeds.  And when all is said and done, we "shall rejoice in the Lord; in the Holy One of Israel we shall glory." 

When I worry about our son driving home 12 hours through storm territory, I shall crush the mountains of dread in my heart and believe that the Holy One of Israel is sovereign over his life.  When my heart fails me while I tremble in the darkness of the night, fearing anything (!!), I shall make the hills of trembling like chaff because the Holy One of Israel is my Redeemer. 

Gazing at the Lord, instead of at my fears, shall cause me to rejoice in Him, and the fears will cease.  For He is the one who helps me.