GOLIATH MUST FALL: FEAR MUST FALL

We enjoy the days that have longer light.  Why?  There is a whole list of reasons.  The light helps our bodies to feel better.  We have opportunities to get more done.  Overall, it just makes our lives better.  We are using this study during Lent to “open the eyes of our hearts” to make our spirits brighter and our hearts stronger. This week our sermon is Fear Must Fall.  The power of fear is constant in our lives.  How can we begin to be victorious in our fight with fear?  We turn to Isaiah 43:1-8.  God reassures his people and all of us that he is greater than our fear because he will save us.  He is willing to save us because he has redeemed us.  This means he has paid a price for us.  He has paid this price not to own us or to control our lives, but God has set us free to love and serve him.  This does not mean that we never experience hardship or heartache.  No, not at all!  Instead, the love of the living God is found in his commitment to be with us as we go through the deep waters and the raging fire.  It is experiencing the power of a presence that tells us we are precious when there is a flood of critical voices that threaten to overwhelm us.  It is feeling the heat of circumstances and realizing that there is a strength holding back the burning blaze.  We pray that you experience the love of our Savior keeping your head above the waters and holding back the burning condemnation of sin with the power of grace as you read Isaiah 43:1-8. 

Isaiah 43:1-8: But now, this is what the LORD says– he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. ² When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. ³ For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I give Egypt for your ransom, Cush and Seba in your stead. ⁴ Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you, I will give people in exchange for you, nations in exchange for your life. ⁵ Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west. ⁶ I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’ and to the south, ‘Do not hold them back.’ Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth– ⁷ everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.” ⁸ Lead out those who have eyes but are blind, who have ears but are deaf.