Day 45 - Do Not Fear:  God's Word of Hope for Every Day!

Today's Do Not Fear is from Jeremiah 17:7-8:

Blessed are those who trust in the Lord,

whose trust is the Lord.

They shall be like a tree planted by water,

sending out its roots by the stream.

It shall not fear when heat comes,

and its leaves shall stay green;

in the year of drought it is not anxious,

and it does not cease to bear fruit.

These promising words come right before and after words of judgment and condemnation, so they are a kind of welcome relief!  If you can read Jeremiah 17:1-10 before listening to the video, that would be helpful!

Here's the video:

And here's a wonderful arrangement of Balm in Gilead that is talked about in our Jeremiah lesson!

Day 44 - Do Not Fear:  God's Word of Hope for Every Day!

Today's Do Not Fear is from Jeremiah 10.  Jeremiah, who was called into God's service as a young boy, is now speaking words of the Lord to those in captivity.  And in verse 5 he talks about the people who have been worshiping idols, and contrasts that empty worship with the worship of the One True God.  Here's our Do Not Fear:

Their idols are like scarecrows in a cucumber field,

and they cannot speak;

they have to be carried, for they cannot walk.

Do not be afraid of them, for they cannot do evil,

nor is it in them to do good.

It's like they dressed up their idols, but had no place to go because there was nothing to them!  So listen in to today's devotion:

Our song today is an oldie, but goodie - Above All by Michael W. Smith.  Sing along and enjoy!

Day 43 - Do Not Fear:  God's Word of Hope for Every Day!

Today we turn to Jeremiah for our next round of verses.  Today's verses are from chapter 1:3-8 which tell of the call of Jeremiah when he was a boy - probably a geeky middle school aged boy with ill-fitted glasses and zits.  Here's how Jeremiah is called to serve God:

Now the word of the Lord came to me saying,

"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,

and before you were born I consecrated you;

I appointed you a prophet to the nations."

Then I said, "Ah, Lord God!

Truly I do not know how to speak, for I am only a boy."

But the Lord said to me,

"Do not say, 'I am only a boy';

for you shall go to all to whom I send you,

and you shall speak whatever I command you.

Do not be afraid of them,

for I am with you to deliver you, says the Lord."

It's one of the great "call" stories in the Bible!  Listen in and see what it might have to do with you!

And here's a great old familiar song, How Deep the Father's Love For Us.  Enjoy and sing along!

Day 42 - Do Not Fear:  God's Word of Hope for Every Day!

Today's Do Not Fear is from Isaiah 54:4-8, which is a Do Not Fear for the people in Babylon with the promise that their captivity will not last forever!  Here are a couple of those verses:

Do not be afraid; you will not suffer shame.

Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated...

For a brief moment I abandoned you, 

but with deep compassion I will bring you back

In a surge of anger I hid my face from you for a moment,

but with everlasting kindness

I will have compassion on you,

says the Lord your Redeemer.

In the devotion I introduce you to a Hebrew word, Hesed!  Pronounced kind of like Hey-Said!  Hope you enjoy!

And here's another great song entitled O My Lord by Casting Crowns:

Day 41 - Do Not Fear:  God's Word of Hope for Every Day!

Still in Isaiah!  Today's verses are from Isaiah 51:7-8, which read like this:

Listen to me, you who know righteousness, 

you people who have my teaching in your hearts;

do not fear the reproach of others, 

and do not be dismayed when they revile you.

For the moth will eat them up like a garment,

and the worm will eat them like wool;

but my deliverance will be forever

and my salvation to all generations.

Such great verses with great promise!  But as you listen to the video, remember: 

 Beware The Moth!

And here's a wonderful classic hymn done in a wonderful way.  Be sure to sing along!

Day 40 - Do Not Fear:  God's Word of Hope for Every Day!

We continue in the book of Isaiah, today with two verses from Isaiah 44:2 and 8:

This is what the Lord says - he who made you

who formed you in the womb, and who will help you:

do not be afraid, Jacob, my servant, Jeshurun whom I have chosen.

Do not tremble, do not be afraid.  Did I not proclaim this and foretell it long ago?

You are my witnesses.  Is there any God beside me?

No, there is no other Rock; I know not one.

Again, wonderful words of promise and hope from Isaiah - remember to cling to the Rock!

Here's the video:

And here's a wonderful song entitled Cling by Shannon Wexelberg - I didn't know it before but it's a wonderful song you can sing along with!

Day 39 - Do Not Fear:  God's Word of Hope for Every Day!

Today's Do Not Fear comes from Isaiah 43:1, and contains a great BUT NOW that I hadn't noticed before.  Every day, every breath, every moment is a BUT NOW moment, if we let it be.  Here's the verse:

But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, 

he who formed you, O Israel:

Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;

i have called you by name, you are mine.

What a great verse!  Listen to the video, and watch for the BUT NOW!

And here's a great song, Who You Say I Am, which underlines "I'm a child of God!"  I hope you like it as much as I do!