the Fourth Week after Easter
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Daily Devotionals
Day by Day Devotional - Year 3 of 5
Isaiah 42:19-25; ; Isaiah 43:1-7
It is important to understand to whom the Holy Spirit is speaking in each part of the Holy Scriptures. Many people have gone astray, especially in interpreting the prophets, by applying to the Church what relates to the Jewish nation. In all these chapters, only Israel and their Messiah are involved. But on the other hand, let us not neglect these passages on the pretext that they do not directly concern the Christian. How many moving words they contain, words which the child of God recognises and lays hold of, because he has heard them many times in the quietness of his heart: "Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine . . . I will be with thee. . . when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee." (43:1, 2). Such was the experience of the three friends of Daniel (Daniel 3:1-30). If we ourselves have to pass through the fire of testing, we shall never be there alone; the Lord has plainly promised us His company. The "furnace" is a privileged place of appointment with Christ for His own people (2 Timothy 4:17).
"Fear not". It is this short, familiar sentence (Isaiah 41:10; Isaiah 41:13-14; Isaiah 44:2 . . .) with which the One who understands our troubles and anxieties comes tenderly to reassure us.
