December 20

Men as Men; God as God

I, even I, am He who comforts you. Why should you be afraid of mortal man, of a son of man who withers like grass? But you have forgotten the LORD, your Maker, who stretched out the heavens and laid the foundations of the earth. You live in terror all day long because of the fury of the oppressor who is bent on destruction. But where is the fury of the oppressor? — Isa 51:12-13 BSB

Let this verse itself be your encouragement today. There’s no need for explanation—just read it, believe it, meditate on it, and present it to the Lord in prayer. The one you fear is only human, while the One who promises to comfort you is God, your Creator, the Maker of heaven and earth. His infinite comfort is more than enough to overcome any danger you face.

“Where is the fury of the oppressor?” It is in the Lord’s hands. The fury you fear comes from a dying creature, whose rage will end as soon as their breath is gone. So why should we be afraid of someone who is just as frail as we are? Let’s not dishonor God by fearing mere humans as though they were gods. We can make an idol out of a person by giving them too much fear, just as much as by giving them too much love. Let us treat people as people, and treat God as God. Then, we can calmly walk the path of duty, fearing the Lord and no one else.