Narrative Lectionary Key Verse for Today
“Do not fear, or be afraid; have I not told you from of old and declared it? You are my witnesses! Is there any god besides me? There is no other rock; I know not one.”
NL Daily Devotion for Thursday, January 4, 2024
by R. M. Fergus, Clergy Stuff
Do not be afraid. Sometimes that’s a tall order. There are things in this world that are cause for anxiety or even alarm. There are actions we need to be taking individually and collectively for the sake of our neighbors and all of creation. Yet there is so little we actually have direct control over, so it’s natural to be afraid. The issue comes when we let our fear dominate our daily living, which benefits no one. Here God is speaking to Israel, who faced constant threat of warfare from kingdoms and empires all around it. God declares God’s unwavering care for Israel and for us. When our fears begin to diminish our lives, we can lean back into God’s arms and trust that if we do our part, it is enough—the outcome is God’s. It's simple, but it’s not easy. Like most things, it requires daily practice—this turning over of the things we can’t control. But over time it can become grooved, and we find that we’re actually more effective than when we are driven by our fears.
How much do I trust God to handle the big, scary issues in the world?
