Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God, I will stay with you. I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. - Isaiah 41:10 (ESV).
Today when I look at things around me in our country and world, I am deeply troubled and fearful from what I see. It's as if what was right is now wrong and what was wrong is now right. Everything has been turned upside down and I fear for the future of my children, my grandchildren and my country. It's not a very comfortable feeling but it is inescapable in the world of today which has truly lost its moral character and the "if it feels good do it" philosophy has taken center stage.
But then I read these words from the Prophet Isaiah and I know that we are expected to face trials and tribulations in this world and God expects us to hold our course steady and stay focused on His Way. And, of course, I am reminded of Jesus talking to His Disciples before His arrest in the garden when He told them the world would turn against them but they would be given the strength of the Holy Spirit to guide them forward after He was gone.
As Apostles of the Word after the Ascension to heaven by Christ, they indeed suffered greatly and all but one, John, died tragic deaths. Yet they remained true to Him to the end and, as a result, His story was made available for all future generations and His Kingdom has been assured for all who profess that they believe. And if we truly believe and follow Jesus Christ through faith, we will, as James discussed, practice that faith through our works on this earth until our dying day. And then, when our earthly life is done, we will partake of the Glory of Eternity in the company of our Lord and Savior and our Father. If that doesn't take the fear away, I don't what will.
Thank you, Lord, for your love and grace, that mortal sinners like us might be given the most wonderful gift possible, the gift of Eternal Life.
Today when I look at things around me in our country and world, I am deeply troubled and fearful from what I see. It's as if what was right is now wrong and what was wrong is now right. Everything has been turned upside down and I fear for the future of my children, my grandchildren and my country. It's not a very comfortable feeling but it is inescapable in the world of today which has truly lost its moral character and the "if it feels good do it" philosophy has taken center stage.
But then I read these words from the Prophet Isaiah and I know that we are expected to face trials and tribulations in this world and God expects us to hold our course steady and stay focused on His Way. And, of course, I am reminded of Jesus talking to His Disciples before His arrest in the garden when He told them the world would turn against them but they would be given the strength of the Holy Spirit to guide them forward after He was gone.
As Apostles of the Word after the Ascension to heaven by Christ, they indeed suffered greatly and all but one, John, died tragic deaths. Yet they remained true to Him to the end and, as a result, His story was made available for all future generations and His Kingdom has been assured for all who profess that they believe. And if we truly believe and follow Jesus Christ through faith, we will, as James discussed, practice that faith through our works on this earth until our dying day. And then, when our earthly life is done, we will partake of the Glory of Eternity in the company of our Lord and Savior and our Father. If that doesn't take the fear away, I don't what will.
Thank you, Lord, for your love and grace, that mortal sinners like us might be given the most wonderful gift possible, the gift of Eternal Life.
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