Monday, April 20, 2026

           Isaiah is one of the major prophets.  His words spread over sixty-six chapters.  He is the prophet who foretells us of Jesus’ birth through a virgin, the names of Jesus that we remember and honor at Christmas and Jesus’ suffering at the cross for our forgiveness and redemption.  Isaiah gives us many promises about God and His ways that we can cherish today.  One such promise is Isaiah 12:2 which says, “Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid.  The Lord, the Lord himself, is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation.”  A few important truths stand out about God for us to apply to our lives today.
            First, Isaiah used the word “behold.”  That’s a powerful word that serves as a revelation.  It grabs our attention.  Isaiah seemed to convey a sense of urgency that he wants his hearers and readers to take note of what is about to follow.  Any time we find the word “behold” in the Bible we need to pay attention to what follows.  It is a powerful introduction.  In Isaiah 12, “behold” serves to grab our attention and to sit us down so we can take in what is going to come next. 
            Second, Isaiah wrote, “God is.”  That is a present tense declaration.  God is.  God’s existence, power and influence do not run out or wane.  We could insert a number of words or phrases after the declaration “God is.”  You may remember at the burning bush that God revealed His name to be “I AM.”  God is Lord over all time and existence.  We can trust anything and everything to Him.  In John’s gospel, Jesus invoked the name “I AM” seven different times in declaring His identity (for example...I AM...the light of the world, the bread of life, the good shepherd).  It is a joy to wake up each morning and simply declare that God is.
            Third, Isaiah continued by saying “God is my salvation.”  The prophet personalized salvation by using the personal pronoun “my.”  God is the one who saves.  He saves us from sin, death and an eternity apart from Him.  God is the answer to my (or your) questions.  God is the one who delivers us from situations and moments that overwhelm or frighten us.  God does for us what we are powerless to do ourselves.  God does what human institutions cannot accomplish.  He alone is “my salvation.”
            Fourth, Isaiah follows up this declaration by stating two outcomes.  Isaiah said, “I will trust.” We can trust God.  We can trust our future to Him.  We can trust every heartbeat to Him.  In those times where we cannot see ahead or around the corner, we can confidently say “I will trust.”  Much of the Christian life is about trusting God and entrusting ourselves to Him.  Jesus bids us to lay up treasures in heaven (Matthew 6:19-21).  The gift of “trust” is a treasure.  We may not have many people or things where we can place full trust but we have the Lord.  The second outcome is we will “not be afraid.”  We do not fear the things that might ordinarily cause us fear.  We do not have to fear death or disease—they will not ultimately claim us.  We do not have to fear the words or innuendoes of others—God is our shield and defender.  Isaiah’s statement “not be afraid” is broad and inclusive of almost anything we might imagine or experience that would create fear within us.  It has been said that we “faith” our fears.  That sentence sounds awkward and might not well pass a grammar test or screening but it is really good theology.  We can “faith” our fears because the Lord invites us not to be afraid.  God reminded Israel at the shoreline of the Red Sea just to stand still; they did not have to do anything because the Lord would fight for them and deliver them.  We can rest and remain in Him today—and throughout our lives.  He is good.  All fears are defeated by His power and promises.  Peter (1 Peter 5:7) invites us to cast all our cares upon Him—and that includes the fears we might face or harbor. 
            The simple verses in the Bible pack great power for our faith.  The message of Isaiah 12:2, though written centuries ago in a place far, far away, is a bedrock promise for us today.  We can return to it daily (or even hourly) as needed.  We can recite and remember these promises that are for our good.  Perhaps you could commit this verse to memory and say it to yourself when you are in need of peace and God’s many assurances.  Faith comes by hearing the Word of God.  Let yourself hear these words from Isaiah.  Have a great Monday!