Morning Devotional

July 15, 2004

"Mere Humans"

by Don Emmitte

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"I, even I, am the one who comforts you. So why are you afraid of mere humans, who wither like the grass and disappear? Yet you have forgotten the LORD, your Creator, the one who put the stars in the sky and established the earth. Will you remain in constant dread of human oppression? Will you continue to fear the anger of your enemies from morning till night? Soon all you captives will be released! Imprisonment, starvation, and death will not be your fate! For I am the LORD your God, who stirs up the sea, causing its waves to roar. My name is the LORD Almighty. And I have put my words in your mouth and hidden you safely within my hand. I set all the stars in space and established the earth. I am the one who says to Israel, `You are mine!'" (Isaiah 51:12-16 NLT).

Isaiah wrote during a very trying time in Judah. They were on the brink of destruction and captivity. The Assyrians had already captured the Northern Kingdom some years before. Now the Babylonians were encamped about Jerusalem and waiting for her to fall. There was great fear in the land. The uncertainty and feeling of doom was palpable. Then the prophet brings a great message of hope and promise to those who would believe him.  He says, "I, even I, am the one who comforts you. So why are you afraid of mere humans, who wither like the grass and disappear?” Why be afraid of mere humans when God is on your side? That’s a message for today!

Perhaps you have been afraid of something lately. Perhaps it is your work, your boss, your spouse, your children, your debt, your obligations, your commitments, or your reputation. I’m sure that you have managed to look good on the outside. Everyone says you are doing great, but inside, you, and God, know that you have been allowing the world to take some of the joy away. Perhaps it’s been a long time since you have felt you had the perfect peace of God’s promise.

Well, let's do something about that today! Let God be God today! Remember why He is God! That He is the infinite, all-powerful, all knowing, Creator and Protector, Sovereign God! That He truly is our Maker, our Redeemer, our Friend, and our Savior! Let's recognize jointly that He is ABLE; far greater than any efforts the opposing side may promote! He is the God who set the Heavens into place and all that we see around us is within His control! Let's remember that He sent us a mighty Savior, who suffered and died just for us, and that He is preparing a place for you and me right now! Let's look Heavenward today, expecting a clap, a trumpet, the end of sin for you and me, the beginning of an eternity where there will be no more pain, no more sorrow, no more tears! Let's not be afraid of the world and all it has for us today! Let's concentrate on what is ahead for you and me who believe and who have received a wonderful Savior! We have a hope! It is not based on mortal men who are but grass, but on a living, active, personal God, who cares for you and me! After all, those who would cause you to fear are mere humans! What are they compared to God!