February 4, 2025

GOD STRENGTHENS AND HELPS US

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

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

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TODAY’S THOUGHT

One of my college professors used to always remind us that when studying scripture to ask the question about the context of a passage. The context adds meaning to passage that we can miss. We live in an age where people are often quoted and made to appear to say something they didn’t say because the one clip is taken out of context.

This passage was written by the prophet Isaiah to the Jews who were in Babylonian captivity. God had given him a word to warn the people this was coming and when it came, he was then given words to encourage the captives. 

They were living in a foreign land and God starts out by telling them, “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.” They had been ripped from the homeland and families. They were under the control of a foreign government that totally dictated their survival. They were basically slaves in Babylon.

In this horrible circumstance God reminds them “I am with you.” Then tells them, “Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.” Jehovah God reminds them they are special to Him. He has chosen to be known as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He is the God of the Jews. They have a unique covenant relationship with Jehovah God.

Then comes another promise, “I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.” 

If I got that word while living in slavery in a foreign land my first thought would probably be, “If you are victorious why didn’t you destroy these Babylonians and keep them from making me a slave?”

But their captivity was a part of God’s plan. They had rebelled against the plan of God and broken the covenant. There were consequences because of their sin. The consequences were what was turning them back to God. God wanted them to know that even though they had to suffer the consequences of their sin there was coming a day of victory. 

These same truths apply to us today. Regardless of the position we are in right now we can choose not to live in fear because God is with us—even in our failures. He is our loving Heavenly Father and He wants to strengthen us and help us come through this temporary time of difficulty. He wants to make us victorious. 

We win! It may not look like it now, but we are winners because we are children of God. We are made in the image of God. We have been forgiven and cleansed by the blood of Jesus. We have received the fullness of the Holy Spirit to teach and guide us daily. We are over-comers. Regardless of our present circumstance we are winners.

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TODAY’S PRAYER

Holy Spirit remind me that I am an overcomer. Give me the faith to see beyond my present circumstances and believe You for the victory You have ahead for me. Help me daily to lean into Your strength and presence. 

“Scroll down to share what you feel God is saying based on today’s reading.”