Four days ago I received a call from my doctor regarding the hard marble-like bump that had appeared suddenly in my pelvic region. The ultra-sound results motivated the doctor to schedule a biopsy this week to determine the nature of the mass. I must admit, it takes no effort for my mind to run headlong toward fear and anxiety as I await the biopsy and seek some conclusive answers regarding the nature of this little invader that thinks my body would be a suitable home for it to grow in.
Two loving friends and prayer partners have sent me powerful verses to aid me in keeping my mind centered on what I know to be true about God’s involvement in every matter of our lives and His infinite power to deal with every one of them. They both sent me similar verses from Isaiah 41. As you read them, take a moment and insert your name into the blank spaces provided.
Don’t be afraid, _____________, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with My Victorious Right Hand. (Isaiah 41:10 NLT)
For I hold you by your right hand – I the Lord, your God. And I say to you, _________, “Don’t be afraid. I’m here to help you!” (Isaiah 41:13 NLT)
Each time I have meditated on the passages above, I hear God whisper, “Don’t be afraid or discouraged by surprising news that comes your way. You belong to me. I will strengthen and help you! I will never let go of you!”
This is no small commitment He is making to us! The King of the universe sees you and sees me amidst the billions of needy people on our dust-speck of a planet within our small galaxy, which is just one small cul-de-sac in an unending universe! He is on constant alert to the moment-by-moment ups and downs of our physical and emotional condition as we navigate the uncertainties of life. I’m pretty certain we will never fully grasp the enormity of His devoted thoughts toward us.
Today as I began to compare the two verses above, God allowed a glorious picture to emerge. In one verse God promises to hold on to us with His right hand. In the following verse, He promises to hold us by our right hand. Using my husband as a prop, I felt compelled to capture the imagery of these two promises ….I stood on Gary’s right side so that his right hand could grasp my left hand. Then I asked him to take my right hand. To do so, we ended up turning toward each other, hand in hand, like a bride and a groom at an altar. When God holds us with both of His victorious hands, He literally turns us toward himself!
In the midst of every fretful circumstance we walk through, our loving God understands that the only way you or I will find the strength to live totally free from fear or discouragement is by turning our gaze away from the circumstance, and turning our face towards His powerful, loving, and assuring countenance. “Don’t be afraid, __________! Don’t be discouraged, I am right here to help you! You will not walk through this alone!”
May your eyes be fixed on the glory of His face turned intently in your direction today!
Hope on Your Journey:
1. What current circumstance causes you to give way to fear?
2. Release to Him every fear surrounding it. What emotions replace fear as you fix your eyes on Him?
An Anchor of Hope: You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! 4 Trust in the Lord always, for the Lord God is the eternal Rock. Isaiah 26:3-4