As has just been said:
"Today, if you hear his voice,
do not harden your hearts
as you did in the rebellion."

"All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith...... (1 Peter 5:5b-9)

With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith. 12We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

"So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

(Isaiah 43:10)

There is much in the circumstances of life that is uncertain. Things happen. Things that are outside our control and seemingly our capacity to deal with. What then? How do we react; were do we go for help? What do we do with our disorientation? It is here into which God speaks in this verse. "Do not fear, do not be dismayed." Fear and dismay are unsettling and unproductive, but nevertheless at times they seem to come naturally to us. Into this God speaks and he encourages us to not be afraid, to not be dismayed but instead to remember this truth. God is our God he will strengthen us, he will help us, he will uphold us. We are not alone, we are not forgotten we have a God who is powerful and loving and he is for us. So do not be afraid; but look to him.

Grace and peace from Marcus

"Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign; "the virgin will be with child and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel." (Isaiah 7:14)