Daily Devotional For May 31, 2025
Good morning and hope you have a great weekend in the Lord. We live in a very chaotic, confusing, out of control world. Our planet spins 1,040 mph at the equator. And when we look around at our culture, country and the world, it is spinning and changing at a dizzying pace. It can be confusing, and that confusion often leads to fear. But no matter what you see, remember that God is still in control. This is the promise of Isaiah 41:10, “Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand” (NASB).
He loves you and cares about you. He knows you better than you know yourself. He knows the state of your health and how many dollars are in your bank account. He knows your strengths and your weaknesses, and He has a plan for Your future. And He does not want you to be confused or afraid. Jesus’ life was filled with conflict, yet He was never confused or afraid. He told His disciples, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27, NIV).
Yes, the world can be a confusing place. Yes, it is easy to give in to fear. But Jesus has given us His peace, and that is the peace the world is looking for. Let’s take full advantage of His marvelous gift. Let’s lean on His peace for comfort and share it with other people too. God longs for us to draw strength from his greatness. Do you see here how he lingers over his commitments to his people? He chose us. He called us. He’s committed to us. People who have a sense of that in their hearts are unstoppable.
New Testament scholar Kent Hughes writes this:
“We need that assurance. When we live for God in this world, we stand out in an awkward way. We even draw fire. But totally apart from any imagined strength of our own, God is our Shield and Defender. So let’s not chicken out. After we have demonstrated the value of God by our suffering, he knows what to do with all who have tormented us. They will so utterly disappear, we’ll look around for them in vain (vv. 11, 12). The gospel says, “Do not be frightened of anything by your opponents.” This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God. For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake” (See Philippians 1:28-29). In the meantime, God will be there for us” (Source: Kent Hughes, Preach The Word Bible Commentary, “Isaiah,” pp. 262-263).
In Isaiah 41, the main truth God wants us to get is we do not need to fear. This is God’s point in Isaiah 41:13 is this: “For I hold you by your right hand — I, the Lord Your God. And I say to you, ‘Don’t be afraid. I am here to help you” (NLT). Are you a fearful person? Do you gravitate toward the path of least resistance? Maybe it’s because you’re relying on the weakness of idols. God understands that. So he is assuring you in the most emphatic way: “I am not like the idols. I will prop you up. Fear not. Live for Me with an audacious faith. I am the one who helps you.”
Take a moment to think about this story:
“An Arab chief tells a story of a spy who was captured and then sentenced to death by a general in the Persian army. This general had the strange custom of giving condemned criminals a choice between the firing squad and the big, black door. As the moment for execution drew near, the spy was brought to the Persian general, who asked the question, "What will it be: the firing squad or the big, black door?"
The spy hesitated for a long time. It was a difficult decision. He chose the firing squad. Moments later shots rang out confirming his execution. The general turned to his aide and said, "They always prefer the known way to the unknown. It is characteristic of people to be afraid of the undefined. Yet, we gave him a choice." The aide said, "What lies beyond the big door?" "Freedom," replied the general. "I've known only a few brave enough to take it” (Source: Do Not Fear The Undefined).
Many people fear their fears more than the Lord. Proverbs 9:10-12 states: “Fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment. (11) Wisdom will multiply your days and add years to your life. (12) If you become wise, you will be the one to benefit. If you scorn wisdom, you will be the one to suffer” (NLT). Maybe if more believers feared the Lord than the unknown and the undefined, they would be wiser for it and a great warrior for the Lord. Fearing the Lord means to revere Him, to respect Him. To not fear HIm speaks volumes of sarcasm at the Lord. And in this way, our sarcasm and lack of reverence and respect for the Lord becomes our idol.
Assignment: What do you fear in life? The future? Death? An unknown future illness such as Alzheimers? Is it possible that your fear has become an idol to and for you? Instead of trusting God and His Word, you rely more on your fears to dictate your actions and attitudes. What proof is there that you revere and respect the Lord?
Scripture To Meditate On: Psalms 34:9, “O fear the Lord, you His saints; For to those who fear Him there is no want” (NASB).
Prayer To Pray: “Heavenly Father, You are not the author of confusion and fear, but of peace and assurance. Create in me a heart that is willing to receive and learn from You, and give me the courage to share Your peace with the world. Lord, help me not to make idols out of my fears and to have a genuine reverence and respect for You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
I love you Southside! – Pastor Kelly