This is a re-post from 2012 when my mother-in-law was suffering with cancer and under Hospice at Christmastime. I know so many people who are dealing with difficult things right now, and thought it was appropriate to post this again. You can also listen to the podcast of this post herethat has more detail and encouragement.
The hissing of the oxygen concentrator is steady, and lulls my mother-in-law to sleep. I slip in and pull the sheet over her shoulders and turn off the light. Then lying down in my bed, the monitor in both our rooms in the “on” position, I hear the machine’s hissing, and also her breathing and frequent cough. I whisper a prayer for her comfort and a good night’s rest for her. These are the sounds of Christmas in the parsonage this year.
Today’s Refresh Her podcast discusses this subject in greater detail with a biblical example of these truths. I hope you’ll listen and be encouraged!
The needs and burdens of someone I love have been on my heart and in my thoughts. I’ve told this dear one that I’m praying for them and thinking of them as a way to encourage their overwhelmed heart. But you know what? As much as I love this dear one, I have failed.
A wanderer who returns to the Lord is not destined to a worthless life! There is hope, usefulness and joy ahead! Satan would want us to think there is only shame in admitting that we’ve wandered away, but His call to us is always to return. He waits with open arms and forgiveness. You’ll hear how beautifully the story of Ruth tells us this truth in today’s podcast.
I’ll never forget the blessing of a dear friend standing at my door with a hot, homecooked meal in her arms. My husband had just had surgery and I was overwhelmed with his care. This sweet friend had called to tell me she was bringing me supper. One day last year my daughter brought a delicious chicken casserole when Covid came knocking at our door. There have been countless times when a meal delivered was like seeing the Lord’s hands comforting and consoling us. Those meals not only touched our stomachs; more importantly, they touched our hearts.
My husband and I live in a two-story home and our bedroom is upstairs. I have had a scare a few times when he’s been away and I heard a noise coming from the living room or kitchen downstairs. I’m alone and I’m afraid. Because of that, when my husband is away from home, he will often call me or text me to say, “I’ll be home in a few minutes. If you hear someone downstairs, it will be me.” At a time when I could be fearful, he wants to comfort me with his presence. His presence in the house makes all the difference! Any bump or bang isn’t even noticed by me when I remember that Dale is with me.
That illustration pales in comparison to what our loving God does for us on a daily basis! Look what He tells us…
Isa 41:10 – Fear thou not; for I am with thee:
be not dismayed; for I am thy God:
I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee;
yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
This is addressed primarily to the exiled Jews during their long and painful captivity in Babylon; and the idea is, that they who had been selected by God to be his special people had nothing to fear.
But the promise is one that may be regarded as addressed to all His people in similar circumstances, and it is as true now as it was then, that those whom God has chosen have nothing to fear.
In times in which we could be fearful, Isaiah 41:10 tells us that our God is saying to us, “Don’t be fearful,” and He also tells us why we don’t have to be afraid. ~
I’m here with you. I’m here in the fear that is gripping your heart. I’m in the need you’re experiencing. I’m in the diagnosis you just received. I am with that child that concerns you, that husband who has forsaken you, and that load that is weighing down on you. I am there in your loneliness, your weakness and your greatest fear.
There IS no need to be afraid; I’m there with you – now,
and now
and now!
This comfort is in the present tense! Not “I was with you.” Not, “I’ll come in a little bit.”
I Am.
It reminds me of His name that He said to Moses – I AM. The Present tense God gives us Present tense help. Present tense comfort.
“Fear and despair are high points of atheism” D.L. Moody.
Look! God has said it. What more do we need? If God is for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31)
Fear and despair often happens more readily to us when we are alone, but we must remember that we are never alone!
He goes on to say – Be not dismayed for I am your God. Dismayed means “to see, to look”; and then to look about as one does in a state of alarm, or danger. That puts a picture in my mind of the Egyptian army coming after the children of Israel. Moses reminded them not to be startled, but to stand still and see the salvation of the Lord!”
I am your God! Remember, Israelites, remember how I helped you? Remember what I’ve done for you? That’s me!
He had delivered them, met their needs, He had kept His promise to them. He had led them, loved them, and forgiven them.
So whatever has you looking around in fear today, heed His admonition and don’t be alarmed! He is with you!
I am grateful for a husband who will text me to tell me not to be afraid because he’s coming home and any noise I hear will be him. I can look at that text when I hear a bang and remember what he said.
I am even more thankful that God wrote this promise in Isaiah for me to remember. I can also look to the past and recall His faithfulness and I can look to the future and know that even then He will be the same.
What has you looking around at others with fear and dismay? God is here reminding you not to be afraid! He is with you and He can help you!. That makes all the difference in the world!
Refresh your worries with this truth...He is with you! He will help you.
RefreshHer 