July 23 – Reading 204

july 23 – Reading 204

by Tim Satryan | July 23

“BUT NOW… FEAR NOT”
(Isaiah 40:1 – 43:28)

“But now thus says the LORD, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: ‘Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.’” – Isaiah 43:1

As we read the four chapters of Isaiah in today’s assignment, the first three at times sound encouraging, but also somewhat discouraging! God’s people had been in the captivity of the Babylonians, and were aware of all their failures and sins. I can only begin to imagine the negativity that was in their mindset as they were returning to rebuild Jerusalem.

Perhaps you have been enduring a particularly difficult time, and although you recall times of blessing in the Lord, your mind is now overwhelmed with the struggles you have been dealing with recently. I know that this has been my experience many times – and most likely you have been there, too!

If you identify with this, know that God knows your mind and your thoughts and recognizes how you feel right now! And this is why in chapter 43 He speaks the encouraging word to Jacob and Israel, “But NOW… fear not!”

Why “fear not” at this time?

• He has redeemed you! No matter what you have endured, God has redeemed you and set you free!
• He has called you by name! He knows you! He has called you by your name! You are His!
• He will be with you! When you walk through “water” or “fire” you will not be overwhelmed or burned! He will never leave you nor forsake you!
• He loves you! You are precious in His eyes, and honored in His sight! He really does love you!
• He will restore your seeing and hearing! Even if it seems like a long time since you have sensed His presence, He will give you eyes to see and ears to hear!
• He is doing a new thing! Forget the past – it is over. He will make a way where there seems to be no way!

Simple Truth:
You can’t change the past, but you can know that God has prepared a great future for you!

Reflections and Application:

• It is so easy for our minds to become so occupied with our past experiences that we fail to keep our eyes on the Lord and what He wants for us in the future!
• Stop focusing on the past! Forget the former things! God is doing a new thing! Trust Him!
• Take the apostle Paul’s advice, when he says this same truth in Philippians 3:13 – “but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead.” 

Closing Prayer…
Heavenly Father, help me to set aside the depressing thoughts in my mind about yesterday’s failures, and instead focus on You, and Your divine provision, protection, and direction for me today and tomorrow. I ask this in Jesus’ name, amen.