A Power We Can Know and Trust

February 25, 2019

Isaiah confronted the people’s idea that God’s power had shrunk and withered. They felt overwhelmed by a world that was too big for them and their God. They were far from their homeland, but in two generations they had come to terms with their conquerors. Now there were rumors of a new power rising in the East, an unknown ruler who was sweeping the land. And there was panic.

Into this confused panic, Isaiah spoke God’s word. Cyrus, pagan as he was, ruled only under God’s authority. Later, Isaiah even referred to Cyrus as God’s “anointed.”

Don’t panic. I’m with you.
There’s no need to fear for I’m your God.
I’ll give you strength. I’ll help you.
I’ll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you.

Isaiah 41:10, The Message

We, too, know what it is to be afraid—afraid of what’s happening in the world, afraid of terrorism, afraid of economic collapse, afraid of nuclear proliferation, afraid for our children, afraid for our way of life. Our fears paralyze us from doing anything great. We need Isaiah to say something to us about the power of God—a power we can know and trust, a power that’s understandable to us in the life of Christ and accessible to us in the life of the Holy Spirit. God says, in essence, “I know how you feel, but I will lead you out of this feeling of being trampled under the heels of arrogant powers.”

Read all of Isaiah chapter 41 here.

“A Power We Can Know and Trust” is just one of the more than 600 insights found in The Message Devotional Bible. Compiled from Eugene Peterson’s writings and sermons, these notes and reflections are set alongside the passages that inspired them. They open the door between Scripture and your world.