“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my
righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)
I watched this year as the summer season morphed to fall. It happened quite abruptly, as the September snow fell on the green leaves and grass of an ecosystem that wasn’t quite ready for it. It was an epic battle between the trees trying desperately to stay green, but the cold white snow was having none of that argument. I knew who the ultimate winner would be. Welcome to winter (before spring makes a comeback)!
Some of life is predictable (like seasons) but, then again, some of it is definitely not! Some of life is within our control but, then again, much of it is not! Most of us prefer an expected outcome as opposed to uncertainty. But often, it’s not our choice. How do you and I handle situations that we didn’t count on occurring?
Isaiah 41 speaks to a couple of responses that we can have. The first is fear. We often default to that tendency to fear the realm of the
unknown and what we don’t understand. God’s Word reassures us that He is with us, and we don’t need to fear—the same reassurance that He offered Moses, Joshua, Gideon, and David when they were afraid. When we don’t know what’s ahead, we can rest, knowing He’s with us.
The second is dismay . . . “Oh no, not this!” This comes when we see the situational outcome and it’s not what we think should happen.
The doctor’s diagnosis, the job layoff, the miscarriage, the car accident, the friend’s betrayal—they all have the same common denominator of unwelcome news. When what happens is what we didn’t want, “I am your God” assures us of His power and control. God’s presence and power will see us through every situation we face in this life!
– Kene Jackson
Council Fire is a collaboration with Intertribal Life Ministries and Native Evangelical Fellowship of Canada.
The Council Fire Daily Devotional Book Set is available on the Intertribal Life Ministries website.
Learn more about Council Fire at councilfire365.org