Two-minute read.
Written during Cyrus’s reign in Persia, he conquered Babylon, where the Israelites lived in exile. Fearful of what Cyrus would do, God comforts His people with today’s verse. The Lord had a purpose for the Israelites, and they wouldn’t perish without God’s will coming to pass. Loving His people, the Creator made promises to Abraham that He would and does keep, even to this day. Three times the Lord affirms His presence to the Israelites, promising to hold them up with His victorious hand.
Cyrus freed the exiles, allowing them to rebuild their temple and city, fulfilling the prophecy Isaiah had made centuries earlier. God kept the promise He made to Abraham and prophesied through Isaiah. The Lord kept His word to the Israelites, and He keeps it to us; for that, we can thank Him.
Accepting Christ into our lives, placing our faith in Him, and trusting His teachings give us access to the Holy Spirit, who takes up residence in our hearts and goes wherever we go. Whether you feel Jesus’s presence doesn’t determine it. Every breath we take, thought we have, action we do, Christ does with us. He knows our thoughts before we think them, and has answers to our prayers before we pray them. Thanking the Lord for what He does and will do displaces the fear that tries to paralyze us.
When we moved, and I started volunteering and joining church groups, I was afraid the first time I went to an event. Not knowing anyone, I felt awkward standing or sitting alone while others talked and chatted. But one conversation would change everything. Someone would notice me alone and come and talk to me. Soon, others would as well, and the fear that tried to keep me from going drifted away as God’s people embraced me into their lives. If I had let fear stop me from going, I wouldn’t have made new friends and experienced the joy of fellowship with other believers. By keeping the Son in my eyes and trusting His promises, I overcame my fears.
Thank God for His presence in your life. Focus your eyes on Jesus and His promises. Let gratitude dispel fear as you follow the Savior.
Journal Questions:
How does fear try to stop you?
In what ways does gratitude help you overcome fear?
What promise of God’s can you stand on today?
Application:
Build courage with thankfulness.
