Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will surely help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.

— Isaiah 41:10

6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, so that in due time He may exalt you.

7 Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.

— 1 Peter 5:6-7

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.

— Psalm 91:1

5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding;

6 in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.

— Proverbs 3:5-6

Have I not commanded you to be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

— Joshua 1:9

Thoughts on Today’s Reading

Grace, mercy and love from Christ to you.

We might feel our life out of control or floundering hopelessly quite often. We might experience that despite our attempts to manage our lives, almost everything that matters is out of our control. Even careful planning cannot account for every twist and turn in life. Whether illness or economic downturn or political upheaval, the next moment can seem uncertain. In reality our lives rest within God’s righteous, omnipotent hand, not our own.

God uses our experiences and challenges to teach us to trust Him. We might experience ongoing disruptions; we might live entrenched in a world that opposes our Christian values. May the Lord grant us steadfast faith in our unchanging God and enable us to stand firm regardless of what we face. God’s presence and promises can bring peace to our souls and focus to our hearts. God will never forsake His people. He calls them to trust Him in this life and for eternity. Be encouraged! God’s presence and purposes permeate our every