Fear Not!
Sunday’s Verse:
From Isaiah 41:10 ESV
“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
The locusts descended upon Bergen County supermarkets on Saturday. Lines stretched from the time supermarkets cracked open their doors until they shut down on Saturday night. Supermarkets were undoubtedly the busiest place to shop on Saturday.
Hence why this Sunday morning before noon…if you need ice melt, bread, or cow’s milk, your local supermarket is cleaned out. Meat too. Although when I was shopping at ShopRite in New Milford on Saturday, there were still two half-gallons of cashew milk left on the shelf. Snowstorms and impending blizzards unearth our anxiety of lack. We fear being trapped in our homes for days on end and stock up on every carb-filled snack our hearts desire to combat those fears.
In his explanation of the First Article of the Creed in the Small Catechism, Martin Luther writes that God keeps us “protects and preserves me in body and soul, in life and in death, against and from all danger and guards me from all evil.” Snowstorms, with blinding conditions and dangerous cold, leave us in despair. Literally, the definition of despair is to lose one’s courage; to be “un-made.”
We stare at the radar and see chaos and tumult we can’t control. But Isaiah 41: 10 does not gently suggest for us to “chill out.” This is a promise from God Almighty.
When that first snowflake hits the ground, repeat after me:
“I will be with you, and my Spirit will not leave you abandoned.…” God is not standing outside the storm watching you weather it safely. He is saying, “I AM with you.” The same Christ who sat in the boat with his frightened disciples in the middle of the storm on Galilee will reside within your walls tonight.
“…do not fear, for I am your God.” The storm might be the news headlines of the day, but it does not rule over you. You belong to the Maker who “gathered the waters together” and set “the bounds of the snow.” (Psalm 33:7)
“…see, I have created you.” We fear the electrical grid failing or the ceiling caving in. God reminds us of His “righteous right hand.” The same hand that was pierced for you and me upon the cross to guarantee your safety for all eternity. If Jesus defeated death, He can get you through a snowstorm.
✝️ A Prayer for Today:
Merciful Father, grant protection to those who are out in the blizzard today and tomorrow, especially the homeless. Bless the workers who are clearing roadways. Keep us all safe. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Apostles’ Creed:
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer:
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Luther’s Morning Prayer:
I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.
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