by Rev Douglas Brauner

God’s grace sets us free from fear.

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

“But you are my servant Israel, Jacob, whom I have chosen, the descendant of Abraham, my dear friend. I have taken you from the ends of the earth and called you from its most distant places. I said to you, ‘You are my servant. I’ve chosen you; I haven’t rejected you.’ Don’t be afraid, because I am with you. Don’t be intimidated; I am your God. I will strengthen you. I will help you. I will support you with my victorious right hand.”
Isaiah 41:8-10 God’s Word to the Nations

I’m easily intimidated by the fear that something is going to go wrong. How about you?

Sondermann Park, Colorado Springs, Colorado

Something has definitely gone wrong for these trees. They’re dead. From their size it appears that they had their day like the trees in the background. There was a day when they stood tall, bore leaves, and added beauty to Sondermann Park. However, now they’re dead.

At one time these trees did what they’re called to do. They did what they were supposed to do. The fear of something going wrong didn’t stop them.

Why do we let fear stop us?

We only have so many days that God has given us to live and be what he has called us to be. Obviously, something is going to go wrong on this journey. We’ll make mistakes, hurt someone, and not live up to our potential, but we are people of grace. Grace sets us free from fear.

The trees in the background of this picture are doing what God engineered them to do…they’re living! Yes the day is coming when they will die, and fall into the creek, but that doesn’t concern them.

May we live the abundant life that we possess, and do what God has called us to do, because Jesus didn’t let the fear of something going wrong stop him from going to the cross.

God will strengthen us, help us, and support us with his “victorious right hand.”

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado