Our scripture this morning is Isaiah 26:3-4 (NLT).
You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! Trust in the Lord always, for the Lord God is the eternal Rock.
The prophet Isaiah wrote during a difficult time in Israel’s history. He had a hard message of needed repentance for them to hear, but also the promise of God’s love and forgiveness for those who admitted their failure and returned to Him. They had fallen into the worldly practice of counting on their own strength rather than the power of God.
In Psalm 31:3 we read “Be my rock of protection, a fortress where I will be safe.” In the old hymn, we sing “a mighty fortress is our God.” Isaiah tells us “the Lord God is the eternal Rock.” We can count on God to show up for us when we put our faith in Him.
14th century theologian Thomas a Kempis writes “don’t get caught up in who is for or against us, because God is with us in everything we do.” God promised us His presence through the gift of the Holy Spirit. When we keep our focus on Him and the love He has for us, we are able to live for Him no matter what we face here.
Gracious God, we are thankful for Your love and forgiveness. Help us to tune out earthly distractions and go in Your name to share the joy of salvation with all the world. Amen.
