Wednesday, December 26, 2007

Hearts enlarged

December 26, 2007

Is 41:14 - Fear not, you worm Jacob, you men of Israel! I am the one who helps you, declares the Lord; your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel.

The Israelites are commanded to not fear because God is the one who helps them. The term “worm” is how they are referred to by other nations in that they are despised, weak people. But, God assures them that despite what the others think, that God is the Lord, the one who redeems them, the Holy One. The words that are in this passage are significant. The Lord is sovereign. Nothing can happen apart from his control. Redeemer means to buy back. Holy One means that nothing evil comes from Him. So putting them together, we understand that we don’t have to fear because the Lord that is in control is both good and intimately merciful. The more we understand our Lord, the stronger we will live.

1 Sa 12:24 - But be sure to fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you.


As in the previous passage, this too emphasizes the importance of knowing God’s character as a basis for fearing and serving Him. If we don’t know Him or don’t consider the great things He has done for us, than our hearts will grow smaller and our perspective of problems will grow bigger. It is when we consider the great things He has done and the great God that He is that our hearts are able to deal with situations in perspective because we fear our God!