Prayer – Lord, You are a mighty God—no idols for me. So much is happening around the world—wars and rumors of war. You told Your followers not to panic…and not to be discouraged or deceived. Give me strength to keep my eyes on You, Jesus, as things change in this world today. Whether this is the beginning of the end or it takes another thousand year—I’m trusting You, Lord, no matter what or when, You are in control. Thank you for Your love and caring enough about us to warn us.
Who has done such mighty deeds, summoning each new
generation from the beginning of time? It is I, the LORD, the First and the
Last. I alone am he." The lands beyond the sea watch in fear. Remote lands
tremble and mobilize for war. The idol makers encourage one another, saying to
each other, "Be strong!" The carver encourages the goldsmith, and the
molder helps at the anvil. "Good," they say. "It's coming along
fine." Carefully they join the parts together, then fasten the thing in
place so it won't fall over." But as for you, Israel my servant, Jacob my
chosen one, descended from Abraham my friend, I have called you back from the
ends of the earth, saying, 'You are my servant.' For I have chosen you and will
not throw you away. 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 41:4-10 
The Mediterranean Ocean at Tel Aviv.
The lands beyond the sea watch in fear.
No need to fear--God is with us.
He will never abandon us.
Meditate. Read God’s word and listen to what He is saying.
Idol worshipers or makers actually encourage each other! As
Isaiah wrote…idol makers encourage one another, saying to each other,
"Be strong!" Are they mimicking God’s command to Joshua when the
Israelites went into the Promised Land?
"So be strong
and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the LORD
your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon
you." Deuteronomy 31:6
Jesus told His disciples…and us…about the signs to watch
for at the end of time. Wars and rumors of wars, earthquakes and famines. Do we
see that happening today? It has occurred throughout time, but much more in the
past year. Keep watching. Keep encouraging others.
Later, Jesus sat on
the Mount of Olives. His disciples came to him privately and said, "Tell
us, when will all this happen? What sign will signal your return and the end of
the world?" Jesus told them, "Don't let anyone mislead you, for many
will come in my name, claiming, 'I am the Messiah.' They will deceive many. And
you will hear of wars and threats of wars, but don't panic. Yes, these things
must take place, but the end won't follow immediately. Nation will go to war
against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and
earthquakes in many parts of the world. But all this is only the first of the
birth pains, with more to come." Matthew 24:3-8
If idol makers can encourage others, then surely Christians
should be able to warn and encourage each other. Just as Isaiah wrote, the Jews
have been called back into Israel. God is reminding them that they are His
chosen people and He won’t throw them away. What comforting words. Jesus spoke
to His followers to take the initiative to not panic…but to reassure fellow believers.
Some people just have that gift of encouragement, but everyone can support
others in their daily walk with the Lord. He promised Abraham—and thus all His
followers—that He will strengthen you and help you. Don’t be
discouraged.
Verse of Salvation ~ In that day the people will
proclaim, "This is our God! We trusted in him, and he saved us! This is
the LORD, in whom we trusted. Let us rejoice in the salvation he brings!" Isaiah
25:9
© 2023 Text, photos, and illustrations by Mickey M. Hunacek. All
rights reserved.
All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless
otherwise noted.
New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale
House Foundation.
Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream,
Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm.
Books by Mickey M.
Hunacek
Available as e-books or paperbacks at Amazon.com
Parenting Day By Day - Daily Devotional for Building Character
Coins in the Bible: New Testament Stories
1 comment:
Waiting patiently for the Lord. Holding onto His promise that He will return—and not to be deceived or discouraged. Thanks for the reminder.
Post a Comment