Fight Fear: Shout, “Here Is Your God!”

The Word of God Endures Forever

The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever. You who bring good news to Zion, go up on a high mountain. You who bring good news to Jerusalem, lift up your voice with a shout, lift it up, do not be afraid; say to the towns of Judah, “Here is your God!” Isaiah 40:8-9

How can we not be afraid when threatened with a pandemic that doesn’t seem to be going away anytime soon? Job losses, power outages, food spoilage and shortages? Isolation? But God is with us.

The prophet Isaiah’s earlier words had confronted a nation that had turned its back on God and committed atrocious sins. Now, God gave Isaiah words of consolation. “Comfort, comfort my people,” says your God. “Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for, that she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins” (Isaiah 40:1-2).

“Her sin has been paid for.” The payment wouldn’t be made until Jesus Christ died for sins on the cross hundreds of years later, but God counted the payment made as they looked forward in faith to a Savior.

“Do not be afraid,” God said to his people. Their exile would end, and they would return to their own land. Moreover, a time would come when they’d say, “Here is your God.” God himself would come to them!

Indeed he did come in person. John the Baptist identified himself as the one Isaiah said would “‘Make straight the way for the Lord” (John 1:23 quoting Isaiah 40:3). He later identified Jesus Christ as “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29).

We can learn from the exiles as we see our own sinfulness, our frailty. But God’s word endures forever. Every single one of God’s promises will be fulfilled. Our sin too has been paid for as we look back in faith on our Savior’s death.

Moreover, we look forward to a time when we’ll say, “Here is our God.” God himself will come to us in person! Another prophecy will be fulfilled, “And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God’” (Revelation 21:3).

Meanwhile, God has sent the Comforter. Are you aware of his presence? Tell him of your fears, your pain. You can trust God’s love for you.

Dig Deeper

Read Isaiah 40:9-15. Isaiah says, “Behold your God,” and then how does he describe him?

Have we as a nation committed sins against God? How can we receive forgiveness for our sins? See 2 Chronicles 7:9-15.

What did Jesus Christ promise will happen when he comes back again according to Matthew 24:3-31? How can we avoid being deceived?

Read Romans 8:35-39. Which things mentioned are you struggling with right now? How can you have victory over them?

Nancy J. Baker

This devotion is part of our “Do Not Be Afraid” series.