As we wrap up the month of September, many are fearful, wondering how to meet year-end goals or how to make financial ends meet. For some, this fear is gripping their hearts and lives. But, as believers in Jesus Christ, we have no need to fear. Stay strong and trust that God is working everything out for the good. How can we pray for you?
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.
~Isaiah 41:13 (NIV)
To fully understand this verse, we need to look at a few verses above it. Here, God is speaking to the nation of Israel to remind them that they are servants of God. Their role came about because of divine selection. Now, let’s understand the verse in our work in nonprofits and ministries.
First, for you the leader. God wants you to know that He recognizes the difficulty of your work and sometimes you become fearful. But you don’t have to walk the path alone, God will take hold of your right hand and support you. God will help you. Sometimes you may feel like you are being “kicked” from all directions, like you are beaten down. Of course, when we are beaten down, we become fearful.
Fortunately, as a servant of the Most High God, He is always with you. Even when it seems like you are lowly and others are being blessed, remember whose you are. The verses before our focus passage talk about Israel belonging to God. Know this today, you belong to God. While a servant is lowly, it is their “owner” that matters, it is their “owner” who gives them clout. The owner’s status will affect whether the servant will be messed with.
The challenges you face as a leader are great. Consider for a minute the challenges and the accompanying fears of those you serve.
- Perhaps, they don’t know our God.
- Perhaps they think they are unlovable.
- Perhaps they think they will always be alone.
- Perhaps they think their behavior has made God hate them.
- Perhaps….
Each of us could probably add a hundred more perhaps. In nonprofit and ministry work, those you serve are often broken, fearful, and do not recognize that God does care for them regardless of what has gone on in their lives. They need to hear that God loves them and will always walk with them. All they need to do is ask.
Who can you share this message with today?
Who do you know who needs to hear this encouragement?
Know today that you belong to God. He doesn’t want you to fear. Since you belong to Him, when you are being messed with, it is God who is being messed with. Right will prevail in the end. Hold tight to His right hand, He will help you.
As you rest in the fact that He is with you, share this fact with others who need to hear it. In this broken world, so many just need to know… God does love them and will take their hand as He tells them, “Do not fear.”
Sweet Blessings My Friend.
