Ready the Ground 7

Isaiah 43:1-2

John Wesley, the man who essentially began the Methodist Church, had a life-changing experience as he sailed to America. During a terrifying storm while aboard the ship crossing the ocean, Wesley feared for his life while other passengers – Moravians – were not at all disturbed by the fierce tempest blowing outside and shaking the ship. They had complete confidence in God, and they knew they were safe in the hands of the Lord.

Sometimes life is frightening. Sometimes difficult times come up and threaten our faith and our happiness. Sometimes worries and fears begin to fill our lives and crowd out God.

Isaiah offers some hope and assurance. What assurance does God offer? What is our relationship with the Lord? What does God promise us?

This passage from the Old Testament prophet gives us a great deal of confidence. Although life may have terrible things in store for us – troubles and pain and trials to test our very souls – we have a deep root of faith in God. The Lord loves us and has claimed us as His own.

With that confidence and knowledge we can face the challenges and hardships of life. We can prevent the thorns of worry and troubles from crowding out our faith. We can remain deeply rooted in our faith and in the love that God has for us.

As we face troubling times we can trust that we are deeply rooted in the Lord. He is with us if we will allow Him to be by our side. If we can have faith in God then we can face the trials and temptations of life without fear knowing that God will save us from all troubles.

This may not mean that we will be spared the storms of life. We will need to go through the fires and raging waters of problems. But we are not alone.

We must make our hearts and souls like the good soil from the parable. We must welcome the presence of the Lord and allow His love and our own faith to grow deep within us that we might withstand life’s worries.

DAILY CHALLENGE: How can your faith grow into something more confident?

Out of the Depths 5

Isaiah 43:1-3

How often have you ever thought, “If I only knew then what I know now”? How often have you wanted to have a time-machine to take you back so that you can do things the right way? I think back on my earlier life, especially my childhood, and I think with disdain how timid I was in all that I did. I was afraid of everything and everyone. But that all changed when I read this Bible passage.

You see I am one of those silly people who believes the Bible to be true. I am one of those people who trusts in the promises of God. This passage turned me around.

Who is speaking? What assurance does God offer? Who do we belong to? What examples does God offer?

If we really believe in God then this passage should fill us with incredible confidence. God has declared that we are His people. We belong to Him. He has called us by name.

And God has given us incredible promises. Nothing can harm us. Fire and flood and destruction will not bring us harm. God is with us in all the tough times of life. He is there to keep us from destruction.

We may be faced with an uncertain economy. We may be worried about the weather and the impact that it will have on farmers and crops, and subsequently the already fragile economy. Gas prices may frighten us. Our jobs may seem shaky. Our health may make us worry.

But we need to face life with extreme confidence and trust. We need to remember these words from God. He will not let the waters of trouble sweep over us. He will not let the fires of fear burn us.

Not only is God with us but He is our Savior. He has redeemed us from the death of sin. He has redeemed us and freed us from a life of hopelessness and worry. He loves us so much that He embraces us in the darkest of times and He is there to strengthen and guide us through all the snares and pitfalls of life.

DAILY CHALLENGE: How can you face life with confidence?

This is the last 10/2 Grow Daily Devotion for this spring. We pray that you will have a blessed summer and that you may live a life of goodness and trust in the awesome power and love of your Lord. – Peggy and Roger

God Is There 5

Isaiah 43:1-2

I will never forget our experience during our mission trip in Haiti. We were told that as foreigners, especially Caucasians, we should not walk the streets alone. It was a risk to do so. But one day we were faced with the need to walk a mile from the orphanage school to the children’s house. There was no ride and no escort.

So, with a whispered prayer, we left the secure walls of the school and went out into the street. We were immediately met by a man who was friends with the couple who run the orphanage and he walked with us the whole way.

That was a big reminder to me that God is there to protect us in difficult and uncertain times, and I have carried that memory with me as I go into any neighborhood or situation where I might otherwise feel at risk. I know God is with me and He will keep me safe.

This passage from Isaiah has become one of my favorite Scriptures. What does God remind us of in verse 1? What assurance is given? What promises are made in verse 2?

Although we should not test God in His mercy by deliberately putting ourselves in risky situations, we should remember that God knows us. He created us. He has known us since before we even came into being, and that relationship is one of tremendous love.

We are more than simply people who happen to know God. We are more than just acquaintances of the Almighty. We belong to Him. He has worked to give us salvation through Jesus Christ. He knows us by name.

When we face the troubles that life can dish out, even the problems of our own making, we must remember that God wants us to succeed and be well. He is with us at all times. He will guard us against the assaults and trials of life.

DAILY CHALLENGE: What can remind you that God values you?