The scriptures commonly tell people not to fear specifically because they are about to face some fearsome situation. Today’s reading shows us this pattern. It is a dangerous world out there: but “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine” (Isaiah 43:1).

Isaiah characterizes the dangers we face as flood and fire: “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you” (43:2). Hymn-singers will recognize these verses as the inspiration for the middle stanzas of the well-loved hymn “How Firm a Foundation,” probably written by Robert Keene; it was reputed to have been the favorite hymn of Robert E. Lee.

Yet we might not find these promises all that encouraging, at least at first. If God is going to protect us, it feels like it would be better to protect us by keeping the fire far away from us, instead of letting it get so close we would have to walk through it. We wouldn’t want to have to walk through actual fire, of course, and even if “walking through the fire” is a metaphor for, say, severe emotional danger, we still don’t much want to do it. Most of us would prefer for God to keep the fire and all the other dangers from getting anywhere near us.

So we really need to pay attention to the implication of what Isaiah tells us here: God does not promise to make all the dangers go away. We will in fact need the courage to step forward into our assigned task, despite the dangers, trusting that God will indeed sustain us as we make our way through both the real and the metaphorical fires and floods.

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Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid (John 14:27).
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All too often we are afraid, O Lord, trembling and fearful: and even though you promise to be with us, we hold back from the task and run away from the danger. Teach us to step forward, in courage, in the confidence that no matter what, in life and in death we belong to you.

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