6/21/14- CDo not be afraid

8“But you, Israel, my servant,

Jacob, whom I have chosen,

you descendants of Abraham my friend,

9I took you from the ends of the earth,

from its farthest corners I called you.

I said, ‘You are my servant’;

I have chosen you and have not rejected you.

10So do not fear, for I am with you;

do not be dismayed, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you and help you;

I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

11“All who rage against you

will surely be ashamed and disgraced;

those who oppose you

will be as nothing and perish.

12Though you search for your enemies,

you will not find them.

Those who wage war against you

will be as nothing at all.

13For I am the Lord your God

who takes hold of your right hand

and says to you, Do not fear;

I will help you.

14Do not be afraid, you worm Jacob,

little Israel, do not fear,

for I myself will help you,” declares the Lord,

your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel (Isaiah 41:8-14)

Thoughts: It would be easy to be afraid in a day in which many are falling away from faith, many are slipping into immorality, and the church itself is waffling into approving what the Bible does not approve.  It is easy to be afraid when, as the Bible says, "The foundations are being destroyed."
God is God.  He is our help, our redeemer, and our strength.  In times of trouble, God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble. We do not need to be afraid, or be dismayed, or seek to escape our trouble.  Instead, we can hold onto God and trust in His deliverance and help. 

Prayer: Lord, be with me.  Calm my fears in tough times.