SCRIPTURE: Isaiah 37
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
Isaiah said to them, “Tell your master, ‘This is what the Lord says: Do not be afraid of what you have heard–those words with which the underlings of the king of Assyria have blasphemed me. [Isaiah 37:6]
Do not be afraid… how many times are these words repeated in the bible, to inspire courage in those who are facing frightening situations.
We believe that God is sovereign over everything and everyone; we believe that we are safe and secure in His hands, no matter what happens in this world.
With pray like Hezekiah: O Lord Almighty, God of Israel, enthroned between the cherubim, you alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth. [Isaiah 37:16]
This is our confidence, this is what we remind ourselves of when we are afraid.
I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him. [Luke 12:4-5]
The king has his army, the commander has his chariots, but Hezekiah has his God – who has the upper hand here?
Our problem is that we focus on the immediate, rather than the ultimate.
We see suffering, sickness, hardship now as the biggest, the hardest, the most alarming.
But Jesus suggests that these things are nothing compared to the greater power and purpose of God.
Sure, there are no guarantees for the immediate – we may suffer, we may die, but we will never be separated from God and from His loving purpose.
Suffering in this world is hard, but it is not ultimate, or at least it doesn’t have to be.
God wants to lead us from the inevitable suffering of this world (the result of the curse of sin) to the inevitable blessing of God in the next world.
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. [Romans 8:18]
Every day I choose to believe this, to reinforce this ultimate reality in my mind against the day by day realities that threaten to discourage and defeat me.
I pray each day for strength and hope and boldness, so that others may see God confidence in me, so that they may know that Jesus alone is Lord and Saviour!
Whatever we fear the most is the thing that we worship; that is, whatever we consider to be the biggest is the thing that we have exalted to the highest place – this is worship language.
Jesus urges us to worship (exalt, fear, honour God) as greater than Satan, sin, suffering, hardship, and whatever else Satan throws at us.
Today, instead of telling God how great your problems are, tell your problems how great God is!
Now, O Lord our God, deliver us from his hand, so that all kingdoms on earth may know that you alone, O Lord, are God. ” [Isaiah 37:20]
PRAYER:
Lord, I choose to focus on You, and trust in You for the battle I am facing today. I worship, fear and honour You!
Today God is First. Another TGIF day as is each day of the week. Each day i need to start with God. Whose voice do I listen to? I need to be like a Samuel saying, ‘Speak Lord, for Your servant is listening.’ Your voice tells me ‘This is the Way. Walk in it.’ I need to focus on the upward look from where all my help comes from.
But all too often, I have the downward look, focussing on what confronts me each day. I listen to the clamor of the day rather than the voice of God. I focus all too often on the days challenges rather than my Companion and Encourager of the day to do His work. He has equipped me for all I need each day and when I do live out of TGIF, I will be more than a conqueror!
Help me on my Way this day Lord. Help me to be GodStrong to LiveStrong so that Your LightShine through me.
I need Thee every hour, most gracious Lord;
No tender voice like Thine can peace afford.
Refrain
I need Thee, O I need Thee;
Every hour I need Thee;
O bless me now, my Savior,
I come to Thee.
I need Thee every hour, stay Thou nearby;
Temptations lose their power when Thou art nigh.
Refrain
I need Thee every hour, in joy or pain;
Come quickly and abide, or life is in vain.
Refrain
I need Thee every hour; teach me Thy will;
And Thy rich promises in me fulfill.
Refrain
I need Thee every hour, most Holy One;
O make me Thine indeed, Thou blessèd Son.