Lesson 201 - THE ANSWER TO YOUR FEARS (God's Plans and Promises for You from the Book of Isaiah)

By Frank Eiklor and the Shalom Team

"Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; He also is become my salvation." Isaiah 12:2

The disciples only walked with Jesus for three intense years. All their needs were met by Him - whether bread and fish for their stomachs, safety from the raging storms, or eternal truths for their thirsty souls. They lacked nothing. Now what He did for them for three years, He promises to do for you and me forever.

No wonder the songwriter wrote, "Jesus is the sweetest name I know." The very name in Hebrew means "salvation." And that is what He has become for us by taking the hell we deserved as He hung between two thieves on a blood-stained cross in order to give us a heaven we do not deserve so that we can behold Him on His throne.

Yet, not only is He our salvation; the Lord is also our strength. Salvation from a hopeless eternity is not enough. There must also be strength to meet each day's tests in our pilgrimage on planet earth - and this strength is as unending as its Source. No wonder Paul could endure any battle and triumph over every weakness with the bold assurance: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

But along with "salvation" and "strength," we need another gift from God that starts with the letter "s". He alone can give us a song in the midst of the darkest dungeons that life may cast our way. Like Paul and Silas, we too will see again and again that God's presence brings a song at midnight. How intimate is our wonderful Lord. Note that the scripture does not say that He sends you from afar His salvation, strength and song. Instead He lives within you and moment by moment becomes your salvation both future and present, your strength for the battle and your song through it all.

My prayer: "I love to agree with Your Word, my Lord. You are my salvation, my strength and my song. I will trust and not be afraid."

"Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ" (I Corinthians 11:1)
The ST. PAUL SCHOOL, with Frank Eiklor, Eileen Young and Cecilia Contreras

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