Behold, I make all things new!
Isaiah 12:1-6
You will say in that day:
I will give thanks to you, O LORD,
for though you were angry with me,
your anger turned away,
and you comforted me.
2Surely God is my salvation;
I will trust, and will not be afraid,
for the Lord GOD is my strength and my might;
he has become my salvation.
3With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. 4And you will say in that day:
Give thanks to the LORD,
call on his name;
make known his deeds among the nations;
proclaim that his name is exalted.
5Sing praises to the LORD, for he has done gloriously;
let this be known in all the earth.
6Shout aloud and sing for joy, O royal Zion,
for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.
Pebbles of Faith
“I will trust and will not be afraid.” (Isaiah 12:2)
How do I trust in God when the giant of fear has consumed my mind, my emotions and my heart? Fear is dwelling within my very being. How do I defeat this giant?
Get alone with God and preach the word into your mind until your heart can sing. What do I preach? How do I preach? The words are right here in Isaiah 12.
*Declare the Lord is my strength and my might
*Affirm the unfathomable salvation given to me through Jesus Christ
*Proclaim aloud praises to my God
*Recount God’s deeds
*Call forth the names of God—Shepherd, Deliverer, Creator, Healer, Counselor, Savior, Redeemer, Living Water
*Cry out, shout, for great is the Holy One in our midst
Preach the word to your mind until your heart sings with joy and the pebble of your faith fells the giant of fear.
God, I love you. You know the giant of fear that engulfs me, and You have given to me, in your word, “fear not” pebbles to use when the giant rears its ugly head. May I feed on the truth of your word until it becomes a part of my inmost being and my heart sings for joy. Amen
Marilyn Anderson – Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Anchorage