Divine Encounter ECWA Daily Devotion

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2022

TEXT: Isaiah 41:1-13

1. Listen to me in silence, O coastlands; let the peoples renew their strength; let them approach, then let them speak; let us together draw near for judgment.

2. Who has roused a victor from the east, summoned him and his service? He delivers up nations to him, and tramples kings under foot; he makes them like dust with his sword, like driven stubble with his bow.

3. He pursues them and passes on safely, scarcely touching the path with his feet.

4. Who has performed and done this, calling the generations from the beginning? I, the Lord, am first, and will be with the last.

5. The coastlands have seen and are afraid, the ends of the earth tremble; they have drawn near and come.

6. Each one helps the other, saying to one another, “Take courage!”

7. The artisan encourages the goldsmith, and the one who smooths with the hammer encourages the one who strikes the anvil, saying to the soldering, “It is good”; and they fasten it with nails so that it cannot be moved.

8. But you, Israel, my servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, the offspring of Abraham, my friend;

9. you whom I took from the ends of the earth, and called from its farthest corners, saying to you, “You are my servant, I have chosen you and not cast you off”;

10. do not fear, for I am with you, do not be afraid, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.

11. Yes, all who are incensed against you shall be ashamed and disgraced; those who strive against you shall be as nothing and shall perish.

12. You shall seek those who content with you, but you shall not find them; those who war against you shall be as nothing at all.

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

(New Revised Standard Version Holy Bible)

TOPIC: GOD CAN HELP YOU

Life is full of challenges; life is not easy. There are lots of hazards or danger we face in this life. Different people face different pains, challenges and hazards.

But one thing is constant: God can help anyone out of these problems. The children of Israel were in captivity in another man’s land and desired help from God.

Today’s passage shows that God needed to get their attention (vs. 1-2) and they needed to come to and present the matter to God because He will never force Himself on anyone.

Moreover, God can use anyone to bring help to anybody because He has the power to do so (vs. 2-4c). Sometimes we are overtaken by our problems and fail to see God at work, especially when He sends help to us.

In v. 4d, we see that it is only the Lord, who is the first and last, that can help us and not idols because they are powerless and can topple if not nailed to the ground (vs. 5-7).

But God helped Israel’s fore fathers and could still help them again (vs. 8-9) because He cannot abandon Israel. Therefore, there is no need to be afraid because He is with them (vs. 10-13).

QUESTION: Who do you run to when you are confronted with life’s challenges?

PRAYER: Lord, forgive me for not recognizing Your power and coming to You for help when facing life’s issues. Help me to always come to You and not to depend on idols, people or my own efforts, in Christ’s name, Amen.