Do Not Fear

Assuring Hope
Comfort for Gods People

Isaiah 41:11-16 (The Message)
 ^11-13"Count on it: Everyone who had it in for you
   will end up out in the cold—
   real losers.
Those who worked against you
   will end up empty-handed—
   nothing to show for their lives.
When you go out looking for your old adversaries
   you won't find them—
Not a trace of your old enemies,
   not even a memory.
That's right. Because I, your God,
   have a firm grip on you and I'm not letting go.
I'm telling you, 'Don't panic.
   I'm right here to help you.'
 ^14-16"Do you feel like a lowly worm, Jacob?
   Don't be afraid.
Feel like a fragile insect, Israel?
   I'll help you.
I, God, want to reassure you.
   The God who buys you back, The Holy of Israel.
I'm transforming you from worm to harrow,
   from insect to iron.
As a sharp-toothed harrow you'll smooth out the mountains,
   turn those tough old hills into loamy soil.
You'll open the rough ground to the weather,
   to the blasts of sun and wind and rain.
But you'll be confident and exuberant,
   expansive in The Holy of Israel!

For Reflection
One of the most powerful motives for what we do is FEAR!  We cheat because we are afraid of losing.  We boast because we fear rejection.  We lie because we are afraid of  undesirable consequences of our action. We condemn others because we are afraid that some how what they do contaminates us. Instead of being confident in the protection of our Lord and Savior, we are contaminated by the ought toos and the shoulds and measure our strengths by our perception other's weaknesses.  Over the next several days, examine your actions.  What have you done that may have been motivated by fear?

Pray
for the confidence and trust in the God of Jacob, of Israel and of us. Pray to remove judgmental actions from our behavior.  Pray for help and guidance and become loamy soil for God's cultivation.