Do not be dismayed, for I am your God. (Isaiah 41:10, NIV)
The two-week stretch we have just seen pass on the PGA Tour, with stops at Augusta National and Harbour Town, have shown us the beauty of the game’s playing field in two distinct forms. The rolling green of Augusta and the seaside shaping of Harbour Town unite the canvas of creation with the artistry of their respective architects, Bobby Jones and Alister Mackenzie at Augusta and Pete Dye at Hilton Head.
In the same way, passages of Scripture can display multiple aspects of the beauty of God. We find this to be true in Isaiah 41, where the hand of God gets unique attention.
In verse 10, we read God’s words, “I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
What do you need from the Lord today? His strength? His tender care?This is a wonderful promise given in its context to those who seek and serve the living God rather than lifeless, man-crafted idols. We recognize in it that our God is not only capable of providing the strength we need, but that he is also inviting us to be upheld in his strong hand. This is a hand unmatched in its righteousness and peerless in its power. It is easy to the see the beauty in this promise.
Perhaps even more beautiful is the tenderness of the Lord, which we are shown three verses later: “For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear, I will help you.”
Now the hand in focus is ours, and we see a picture akin to a thousand sentimental photographs, where the large hand of a parent or grandparent takes hold of the smaller hand of a beloved child. That parental hand offers warmth, reassurance, guidance, and friendship. It certainly says to the child, as God does, “Do not fear, I will help you.”
What do you need from the Lord today? His strength? His tender care? Both are there in his beauty. Both are there for the asking.
In verse 17, God spoke of the poor and needy, how they search for water in a dry land. It is nowhere to be found but here: “I the LORD will answer them; I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them.”
Go, dry one; go, weak one; go, poor one; go, pained one—to the Lord, who is willing and able to hear your cry.
—
Jeff Hopper
April 20, 2016
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The Links Daily Devotional appears Monday-Friday at www.linksplayers.com.