Who Are You?

 

Isaiah 51:12 "I, even I, am he that comforteth you: who art thou, that thou shouldest be afraid of a man that shall die, and of the son of man which shall be made as grass"   Any man with a sense of his own unworthiness may have a tendency to feel like he has no claim on God's peace or God's comfort. But God turns that notion on its head in verse 12: "I, even I, am he that comforteth you: who art thou. . . ."   The Bible says that God's salvation and His righteousness are eternal-they go from generation to generation. In contrast, man is like the grass which withers in the hot sun or the garment that is eaten by moths (see verses 1-6). God says, "I am the One who comforts; who are you to fear?"   We say, "Oh, I have no right to peace or comfort or confidence," but God says, "Who are you?" The children of Israel had forgotten the LORD their maker (verse 13), and He reminded them that He is the One who made everything! God, the Creator of the universe, is the One who comforts--who in the world are you to live without His comfort?   Most of our fears boil down to fear of men. Failures, misunderstandings, ill will, etc., if traced down to their roots, come back to people. God reminds us that He is the One who comforts by asking, "Who are you?" If God made a nation from a barren couple (Abraham and Sarah-verse 2), who are you to fear? If God made the heavens and the earth and will destroy the same (verse 6), who are you to fear? If God made the law-the rules (verses 7-8), who are you to fear?   Our tendency is to think that we are out of place to have peace and comfort. But if you belong to God, you are not out of place. In fact, it is presumptuous to not have what God is able to give.   In contrast to men who are like grass, God says, "But I am the LORD thy God, that divided the sea, whose waves roared: The LORD of hosts is his name." (verse 15) He is the LORD, and He is the "God of all comfort." (II Cor. 1:3)   God says, "Who art thou?" and the answer is simple: I am no one. I have no right to be fearful when God gives courage. I have no right to be doubtful when God gives confidence. I have no right to be discontent when God is the source of contentment. I have no right to live in lack when God is the One who provides. And that is good to be reminded of today.   "I, even I, am he that comforteth you: who art thou. . . ."     Prayer Requests: 1. Services tonight in Franklin, TN; Ripley, TN; and Woodridge, IL 2. Deaf Rally this weekend in Frederick, MD   Missed a First Light?  Browse the archives here: firstlight-blog

Bill Rice Ranch | 627 Bill Rice Ranch Road | Murfreesboro | TN | 37128