Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm
the feeble knees. Say to those who are of a fearful heart, “Be strong, do not fear!
Here is your God. He will come with vengeance, with terrible recompense. He will
come and save you.”
Isaiah 35:3-4
Many of us
know people who are dealing with life-changing decisions about their living
situation. The prospect of moving to a different home, often after many years
in a familiar one, can lead to anxiety and fear for those facing such a
prospect.
Surely that
was the case for the Israelites who were being addressed by the words in the
35th chapter of Isaiah. Like my parents whose living situation changed recently,
the Israelites had lived in the same place for 50 years. Now they were facing
the possible fulfillment of their long-anticipated return to their homeland. Yet
that prospect was fraught with concerns and fears born of leaving behind their familiar
surroundings.
The prophet
Isaiah proclaimed these words of comfort and encouragement: “Strengthen the
weak hand, and make firm the feeble knees. Say to those who are of fearful
heart, ‘Be strong, do not fear! Here is your God…He will come and save you.’”
God’s promise
to strengthen us in our weakness and save us from our fears is fulfilled in the
coming of Christ which we celebrate this Advent season. As an organization,
Liberty Lutheran is a channel of God’s comfort and encouragement as it “faithfully
accompanies individuals and families facing
life-changing
situations through an empowering approach honoring the well- being and choices of
older adults.”
You, too, can
be a channel of God’s comfort and encouragement to those who are dealing with life
changes which induce anxiety and fear. Be strong! Do not be afraid!
We give you thanks, loving God, for strengthening
us in our weakness so that our lives can blossom abundantly with the joy of
serving you. Amen.
The Rev. Wayne
A. Matthias-Long is pastor of Reformation Lutheran Church, Media, PA and is a member
of the Board of Liberty Lutheran.
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