Read Isaiah 12:2-6.
Among the Bible’s supernatural miracles and mind-bending wisdom, Isaiah lays claim to one of the hardest-to-believe lines:
“I will trust and won’t be afraid.”
Huh?
I wish I could shake the prophet and ask him to take a proper look at the world. Does he not see the heartbreaking conflicts, catastrophic disasters, ever-eroding belief in truth?
In a time of such chaos, how can we even imagine not being afraid? Well, if this short life has taught me anything, it is that I will never not be afraid. Whenever I try to, my fear engulfs me even more. In this passage, God’s word feels unimaginable and wholly unpractical.
Yet, after delivering this line, Isaiah no longer fixates on the fear, instead praising God for all of his deeds and character. If the first verse felt ridiculous, watch out for the rest of the reading.
But, Isaiah gives us one reason for all of this praise: “the holy one of Israel is great among you.” Isaiah’s message reminds us we are not alone. The God of the universe promises to be among us. While all of the unrest will never go away, it will never stop the presence of God.
Pray
God of deliverance, enable us to trust again. Do not the let the worries of this world restrict us from believing, remembering, and praising your presence. Help us to accept our fear in our journeys so that we might better place our trust in you and reflect your love. While you do not take away our fear, you promise to always be among us. Amen.
Nolan Ragland
Student, UKirk UTK
Words for Waiting 