Isaiah 41:10 So do not fear, for I am with you;
    do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
    I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

God caused this sort of statement to be recorded in the Bible many times, because we tend to get scared. Actually, being scared is a pretty reasonable response, if we’re looking accurately at our own strength, wisdom, and resources. That’s why God tells us to look to Him, to be aware of His wisdom, strength, and resources – which are infinite – and relax. The more we know of Him, the better we understand His character, the less reason we have to be scared of anything at all. Sure, there will be bumps in the road. Jesus said very clearly, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) I have quoted that verse almost as much as I have quoted John 3:16! God doesn’t want us to live in fear, but rather to walk in obedient trust and faithfulness, which is the surest path to joy. The last thing the devil wants is for us to trust God enough to be fully obedient to Him. I’m speaking this morning on Responding to God, from Isaiah 6, and I’m somewhat hyped about it, because it’s a powerful message. Fear of anything apart from God Himself is a waste of our emotional and spiritual energy, and it can certainly lead to physical exhaustion as well. From the world’s perspective, trusting God can seem foolish, but that’s because they don’t know Him. The more, the better, we know God, the more totally we will trust Him. The danger can be in presumption. Everything God does for us is grace, because we don’t deserve it, so humility is essential. We need to be like Daniel’s three friends, who stated their confidence in God but declared their faithfulness to Him even if He didn’t rescue them from their immediate situation. (Daniel 3:16-18) That’s what truly trusting God looks like!

I’ve been in a few tight spots, but God has always come through. He hasn’t delivered me from difficulties so much as He’s delivered me through them. It’s been many years since He told me personally to rest, relax, and rejoice in Him. I’m still learning how to do that fully, but it’s a path that I can, and do, recommend wholeheartedly. As the hymn says, “Trust and obey, for there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus.” And of course, there’s no greater happiness than what is to be found in Jesus. Happiness is something of a side effect of peace and joy, and those are without question found in Christ Jesus my Lord. I am never to hesitate to follow Him.

Father, thank You for this reminder. Thank You for the message You’ve given me for this morning, and for the Taiwanese missionaries who are to be here as well. I ask for Your will to be done today on every level, so that the Body of Christ may be built up and Your kingdom advanced, for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!