No Fear

God's Word is indeed living and active. It is so much more than just words on a page. It is nourishment for my soul and my heart. Thanks for joining me today in a conversation with our Creator! I'm in Isaiah 51:12-23. There's some really vivid imagery here and something important that God is communicating.

I, even I, am he who comforts you. Who are you that you fear mortal men . . . , that you forget the LORD your Maker . . . .  I have put my words in your mouth and covered you with the shadow of my hand--I who set the heavens in place, who laid the foundations of the earth. (v. 12-13, 16)

I opened to my reading today and these statements leaped off the page. I receive it today as his word to me. Fear is not to rule over me. Jesus has freed me from a life of fear. There are momentary situations in which fear is a normal reaction to warn us to danger, but living in fear or anxiety is not to be normal for someone who knows personally the God of heaven and earth. Courage comes from the assurance that God has me in his hand, that he has placed a covering over my life so that nothing can destroy me, nothing can thwart his ultimately amazing plans for me! Nothing is outside the realm of his control or his power to bring about everything good that he wants to give me and do through me.

Courage is also borne of focusing not on the things that trouble me, but on completeing the mission and purpose God has given me. He wants me to feel totally secure in his care and focus on caring for others. He has put his words in my mouth, he says. I have been given a message to deliver to the people in my life--a message of God's love and salvation, of hope and meaning--not just because I'm a pastor, but because I have come to know him. I need to turn over my concerns for my own well-being to my almighty God and share what I have come to know of him with the seeking, hopeless hearts around me.

Lord, today I will lift up my head, trust myself completely to your care, and feel your validation as you send me to be a messenger of your grace. I thank you for freeing me from a life of fear, worry and self-doubt. There is no more secure place than in the shadow of the covering of your hand. Amen.

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