“I, even I, am He who comforts you. Who are you that you are afraid of man who dies, and of the son of man who is made like grass; that you have forgotten the Lord your Maker, Who stretched out the heavens and laid the foundations of the earth; that you fear continually all day long because of the fury of the oppressor…” (Isaiah 51:12–13, NAS)

This morning we continue on a similar theme as yesterday–who are you going to turn to in your hour of need? The Lord says, “I, even I, am He who comforts you.”  The Lord is asking, “Why do you allow yourselves to live in fear of the things of this world? Why do you let your fears immobilize you?” It happens to us every time we step out of our faith relationship with God and feel we are left on our own to deal with the threats and trials before us. He says, “…you have forgotten the Lord your Maker, who stretched out the heavens…”. We would not be in fear if we really understood who we were and who our God really is.  It is when we walk by sight and “forget” the Lord that we feel alone and afraid. Only Satan would want us to live in fear in relationships and circumstances in this life.

We need to remember who our God is and what His promises to us are. We need to remember that He has crushed the devil’s head. We need to know that the Lord has a good and gracious plan for our lives. We need to know that He hears our cries and promises to address the issues we face.  We can’t live fearful and defeated lives. We are the Church Victorious! We need to live victorious lives. We are provided for, and protected by the very God who did the same for the nation of Israel in the Old Testament. We live in the shadow of the cross and the empty tomb. Jesus, our Savior, was victorious.  He won salvation for us. We are now in a right relationship with God. We are His children and He is our heavenly Father. Will not our heavenly Father care for us and watch out for us? Will He not address the things in this world that seek to harm us?

We need to stop being afraid! What can mere man do to us when we have the providential protection of Almighty God on our side? Turn to Him and He will shelter and protect you. The Lord says in Isaiah 43:1, “Fear not, for I have redeemed you. I have called you by name and you are mine!”

Peace!

Pastor Tom

www.firmlyrooted.church