December 19, 2018
Isaiah 43:1-3
But now, this is what the Lord says—
    he who created you, Jacob,
    he who formed you, Israel:
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
    I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
When you pass through the waters,
    I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
    they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
    you will not be burned;
    the flames will not set you ablaze.
 For I am the Lord your God,
    the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;
I give Egypt for your ransom,
    Cush and Seba in your stead.

New International Version (NIV)
                  Fear knocked on the door.  Faith answered.  There was no one there.  Are you scared?  Statistics say we are.  Anxiety runs rampant in our culture.  All of us fear something.  What do you fear?  Why shouldn’t God’s people be afraid?  Two reasons.

                First, God is with us.  Whether we go through the flood or the fire, we do not have to fight, flee or freeze.  God will be with us to protect us.

                Second, God is our God.  He is the LORD!  Yahweh, “I am that I am,” is his name.  In our Sunday night musical, Behold the Lamb, one of the songs says, “Deliver us, deliver us, O Yahweh if you can.”  He can.  He is God.  And he is the Lord our God.  He is the Holy One.  He is our Savior.

                God, your God, is with you today.  God, your God, is for you today.  Have no fear! 

Pray with me:  
Father, you know that we are by nature fearful people, frightened and afraid.   Give us the faith to believe that you are with us and you are our God.  You made us.  You have redeemed us.  You have called us to be your very own.  Deliver us from our fear.  We know you will.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.  
   This year we focus our Every Day with Jesus readings on Jesus’ story.  With references to Tallowood's Read Through the Bible in 2018 daily reading plan, let's focus our undivided attention on Jesus and follow where he lead. He will not fail. Neither will we!
 
Joyfully, 
 
Duane 
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