03062022 Your God

Dear Missionary Lady,

Greetings in the name of our unmatched God. No one can even come close to Him.

“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness” (Isaiah 41:10).

This is a verse of great comfort and encouragement, filled with wonderful truths about God, all of which are reasons for us not to fear. I want to share some thoughts on just four words: “I am thy God.”

First, put the emphasis on the word “I.” Who is the speaker? Who is my God? It is the Holy One of Israel. It is the Creator of the universe. It is the Sovereign in control of all things. It is the One for whom nothing is impossible. It is the One who loves His people.

It’s pretty amazing to think about who it is that is our God, and that reality is highlighted even more when we think about who He is not. He is not a God who can’t be touched with the feeling of our infirmities. He is not a God of the dead, but of the living. He is not an inanimate, dead representation of power. He is not one of those false deities that has eyes, ears, mouth, feet, but cannot see, hear, speak, or move. He is not one of the gods who is capricious, cruel, uncaring, detached, inconsistent, or easily defeated.

If we could choose any god (or even any other force) as our source, we could not choose anyone better than God.

Second, put the emphasis on “thy God.” What is God to us? He is not an emperor or dictator. He is not a general or admiral. He is not a master or overseer. He is not a boss or supervisor. He is not a king, governor, or mayor. He is not just an acquaintance or friend. And He is far more than just a father or brother. Every one of those people has strengths and advantages, but every one of those people has weaknesses and failings.

What is this great One to us? He is our God. He is the one who has all right to oversee and control everything. He is the one with all the power to achieve anything He desires. He is the one who always does what is right and just. He is God! Do you realize how less powerful, less dependable, less wise, less loving, and less everything He would be if He were any of the titles from the preceding paragraph? Having a relationship with any of those would not mean as much. But having a relationship with the One who is God – that means something!

That relationship with that Person is what allows us to face life and to walk through life without being dismayed and without fearing. This great God is with us, strengthens us, helps us, and upholds us.

May you rest in the wonderful care of this mighty yet personal God as you face the responsibilities and trials of this week.

Love in Christ,

Peggy Holt

member at Open Door Baptist Church in Lebanon, PA