"Do not fear, for I am with you;
Do not be dismayed, for I am your God. " Isaiah 41:10 NIV
Have you ever thought about that? Imagine you are right there in the danger zone. You are smack-dab in the turnpike, and a truck is barreling towards you, and here come these words. "Don't panic. You have nothing to fear!" Pretty crazy, huh? Even ridiculous.
I know you are probably thinking, "Of course you need to be terrified! A truck is ready to mow you down!" It makes absolutely no sense! And in my world, where I seem to be facing imminent loss, it is so easy to keep my eyes on that rig, heading straight towards me. To panic, eyes wide, unable to move.
Right there, in that moment, it is not enough to recognize the terror, but to recognize Truth: God. With. Me.
When I walk with the tender fruit of my fruit, and we come to a street corner, what is my response? Do I stand back, encouraging them to step out into the asphalt, unaided, these who are too small to even recognize the danger approaching? Absolutely not! I grab on to that little hand and don't let go. I scan the way ahead, making sure it is clear. Only then do I step out into that unsafe place, seeking to protect and care for my young charge.
My God is no different.
"I, your God, have a firm grip on you and I am not letting you go.
I am telling you, 'Don't panic. I'm right here to help you. ' " Isaiah 41:13 MSG
My Father is with me, seeking to care for me, protecting me from all harm.
How often I want to stand on the edge of that thoroughfare, or even in that road, and be dismayed, assuming I am alone or worse, assuming God is not big enough or able or maybe even willing, to help me. That is what is ridiculous!
Yes, I may get hit by that heavy vehicle. We all do, from time to time. Everyone gets slammed by circumstances beyond their ability to endure. But God? He is standing right here with me. Holding my hand. And He is not letting go.
The rest of that verse says:
"I will strengthen you; surely I will help you; I will uphold you..." Isaiah 41:10
Essentially, my God is saying, "There is nothing to fear, because I am right here next to you. Don't look at, pay attention to or regard in any way, what is around you. Fix your eyes on Me. Pay attention to who I am. I'm the one who has a firm grip on you and I am not letting go! I will help you and give you strength. In fact, I will pick you up, grasping you tight, supporting and sustaining you. Really! Hear Me on this! I've got this one covered! Stop quaking in your boots. I love you and I will take care of you!"
On a frigid day in January, when my heart feels frozen in this spot, these are warm words, melting me, thawing my voice to sing "Praise God from whom all blessings flow!"
Praise Him!
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