14 December 2023

For I, the Lord your God,
hold your right hand;
it is I who say to you, ‘Do not fear,
I will help you.’

From Isaiah 41:13-20, NRSV

Isaiah’s prophecy was to a people still in captivity who had little reason to believe that their situation would improve any time soon. Yet, Isaiah brings them a message of comfort and encouragement. Just as a parent will hold the hand of a child to reassure them, guide them and keep them safe, so God will hold the hand of his people. They will have nothing to fear and everything to hope for. Isaiah goes on to describe the great things that will be accomplished under God’s direction. Not even mountains will be an obstacle, there will be plentiful supplies of water in the wilderness and trees of all kinds will grow.

• • How easy would it have been for the people of Israel to regain their trust and reliance on God?
  • When have you felt and been able to rely on God’s guidance?

Reflect on the things that you fear or worry about and imagine God saying to you “Do not fear, I will help you.”