Monday, June 8, 2009
Isaiah 44:2 Thus says the LORD who made you and formed you from the womb, who help you: "Fear not, O Jacob My servant; And you Jeshurun whom I have chosen."
DON'T BE AFRAID--THE HOLY SPIRIT IS AT WORK
The month of June is generally packed full of celebrations. Confirmations, graduations, and weddings all seem to be crammed into about a three to four week period. These celebrations mark transitions in the lives of these individuals.
However, transitions are not limited to June, nor to the young. Week by week people find themselves adjusting to the death of loved ones, or retirement. Some were ready to retire last fall, but found that the recent economic downturn washed out a third or a half of their investments, and now they need to work longer. Change can be frightening at any time of our lives.
We turn then, as we should, to the Word of God to find boldness and reassurance. We are not the only generation to go through seasons of change. For centuries God's people have been through transitions, some far more drastic than what we are called upon to endure.
The transition that is being addressed in Isaiah 44 is the impending captivity into Babylon. God's people were asking themselves if they would be scattered as a nation or as a family. Would they be able to return intact as a nation so that the Messiah could be born from among them as promised?
To them and to us, the Lord provides the answer: Fear not! The reason is the same throughout the Old Testament and New Testament--The Holy Spirit is at work.
