Day Sixteen

Isaiah 41:8-10

Did you ever have to endure the “choosing” for a game on the school playground? Two captains take turns, each trying to pick the best remaining player. Pity the person who is the last one taken. It sometimes seems as if they might rather be one player short than take the final person left. It is a sad and embarrassing thing to be “unchosen.”

But all of us are chosen by God! He did not pick you last. He picked you first—even before you were born! He did not pick you for a team, but to be one of His own children! That is the message Isaiah gave to Israel. God chose Abraham, even though his father was an idol-worshiper. Abraham, a man with no children, became the father of many nations.

Perhaps the best message for Israel and for us comes in verse 10. All through the scriptures, God continually tells us, “Do not fear.” He gave that message to Moses, Joshua, Gideon, King Jehoshaphat, Mary and Joseph, the women at the tomb, and many more. The reason we should not be afraid is simple: God is with us! He has promised to always be with us. He has promised to never forsake us. Instead, God will give us His strength and help. We don’t need to be strong, because He is strong for us. What a comfort He is! And finally, God holds on to us. We don’t have to worry about our own weak grip. Our salvation and success don’t depend on us. It all depends on God Himself.