by Rev Steve Nickodemus

Do not be afraid!

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

“You who bring good tidings to Zion, go up on a high mountain.  You who bring good tidings to Jerusalem, lift up your voice with a shout, lift it up, do not be afraid; say to the towns of Judah, ‘Here is your God!'”
Isaiah 40:9

This communication tower stands at the top of Bald Peak near Newberg, Oregon.  The tower stands at the top of the mountain so that it can transmit messages, as far as possible, in every direction.

The builders of the tower are unafraid to get their message out!

The Lord commands, and encourages, you, and me, to go to the top of the highest mountain, and shout out the Good News of Jesus Christ to the whole world.  To speak the Good News of Jesus unto all the world, a world dying without hope in our Lord Jesus.

The Lord does not just say, “Tell the world.”  He says, “Shout to the world!  Shout it from the highest, most visible, most effective place, that all the world would know of Jesus.”

Then the Lord adds, “Do not be afraid.”  Do not let the devil keep you from proclaiming the Good News to all who will hear.  Do not let your fear of being laughed at, or disdained by the world, keep you from shouting the Gospel to everyone.  Do not shrink back, or be terrified, but shout the Good News.

Jesus said it this way, “You are the light of the world.  A city on a hill cannot be hidden.”  You and I were placed into this world as believers in Jesus, to shine, and shout, to a dying world that Jesus is both Lord and Savior.

Lord, keep me from fear.  Give me courage to speak, and to shout, your Good News to everyone I meet, and to the whole world, that you are Lord and Savior.  Amen!

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado