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OUR DAILY BREAD                 Wed., Aug. 9, 1995 
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READ:  Isaiah 41:8-20 
 
         
                   SOMEONE IS WITH YOU  
                   
          "Fear not, for I am with you; be not 
           dismayed, for I am your God.  I will 
           strengthen you, yes, I will help you. 
 
                         -- Isaiah 41:10   
 
Every night a boy had to walk past what he believed 
was a haunted house.  A friend gave him a good-luck 
charm to give him courage.  An adult said, "It's 
sinful to be afraid.  Trust God!  Be brave!"  But 
he was still afraid.  Then someone said with com- 
passion, "I know what it is to be afraid.  I will 
walk with you past the house."  That's all the boy 
needed to quell his fears. 
 
Several years ago I was asked to conduct a funeral. 
I had spoken at many similar occasions as a pastor, 
but this one was different.  Physical and emotional 
exhaustion had depleted my inner reserves, causing 
me to lose all confidence in myself.  But as the 
hour approached, I held to the promise of Isaiah  
41:10 and did what I knew I had to do. 
 
Looking back, I've concluded that it wasn't simply 
using a Bible verse or telling myself to trust God 
that helped me through.  Instead, it was because 
Someone was at that funeral, not only comforting  
the grieving but also lifting my fears.  That 
Someone was Jesus Christ, who Himself had endured 
intense sorrow and grief.  He was there in the 
person of the Holy Spirit. 
 
Are you facing fear today?  Let the words of Isaiah  
41:10 remind you that the Lord is with you. 
 
                                -- Dennis J. De Haan 
 
    Fear not, I am with thee -- O be not dismayed, 
     For I am thy God, I will still give thee aid; 
I'll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand, 
        Upheld by My gracious, omnipotent hand. 
 
                                -- Anon. 
 
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             THOUGHT FOR THE DAY             
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             Fear will leave us  
    when we remember that Jesus is with us. 
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THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:  Isaiah 40-42    




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file: /pub/resources/text/Our.Daily.Bread: db950809.txt
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