Scripture Reading : Isaiah 43
Theme : Fear Not
Grace of God (1-21)
In the midst of future troubles, God urges the nation and individuals not to be afraid but to trust in Him. God is trustworthy because He has made them and the world; therefore He is able to sustain them. He will preserve them even if it means God must destroy Egypt or other nations in order to protect Israel. That happened when the Persians attacked Egypt but gave freedom to Israel. God is also trustworthy because He is able to declare the future and accomplished His prophecies. Through the OT, Israel is a witness to His divine fulfilled prophecies. God is trustworthy also because He is able to renew Israel in the future like turning a desert into a fertile land.
Sin of Israel (22-28).
God’s grace to Israel is never based upon the righteousness of Israel. Israel does not deserve any of God’s grace because of their ugly sins. Instead of giving thanks to God with their wealth through their sacrifices, they hoard their money and burden God with their sins. Even their first father, Abraham, sinned against God. And now their priests, mediators, continue to sin against God. Israel’s hope is not in themselves or their forefathers, but in the undeserving grace of God alone.
Praying the Scripture
As sinners, we are supposed to be fearful, but God says to us, “Fear not.” These are the sweetest words we will ever hear. This is also the message of Christmas. God told the shepherds not to fear because Jesus the savior has come to deliver sinners (Luke 2:10-11). When our guilt and shame overwhelm us, we can run to Christ and hear Him say, “Fear not.” Such comforting words give us rest and peace. They also should lead us to praise God and be in awe of His amazing character of humility and compassionate that are displayed in the humble birth of Christ and His agonizing death on the cross. Humility comes when we realize we do not deserve Jesus’ incredible love through His agonizing death on the cross. Pray that you will be most in awe of Christ’s character and strive to be like Him by His grace.
经文：以赛亚书43
主题：不要害怕
神的恩典（1-21）。
患难即将来临，因此神劝以色列及各人不要害怕，乃要信靠祂。神是值得信赖的，因为人及万物都是神所创造的，所以祂能护理一切。为要保护以色列，神能不惜将埃及与列国消灭——我们能从波斯击败埃及，予以以色列自由一事看出。神也值得我们信赖因为祂能公告未来，并应验自己的预言。借着旧约，以色列成了神神圣预言应验的见证。我们还能信赖神因为祂未来能更新以色列，犹如将沙漠变成肥沃土地一样。
以色列的罪（22-28）。
神从不凭着以色列的公义向她施恩。以色列绝对不配蒙受神任何恩惠，因为他们罪孽深重。然而，他们不但不献祭感谢神赐予他们财富，还将钱财占为己有，犯下更大的罪。即便他们的祖宗亚伯拉罕也得罪了神，而祭司，他们至今的中保，更是继续犯罪。以色列的盼望不在自己或他们的祖宗，乃是他们所不配得的神之恩。
用经文祷告
身为罪人，我们当惧怕战兢，但神对我们说：“不要害怕。”这是我们能听到最甜美的话，也是圣诞的信息。神告诉牧羊人不要惧怕，因为救主耶稣已来拯救罪人（路2:10-11）。当我们被罪与羞愧占据时，我们能奔到主怀，听祂说：“不要害怕。”如此安慰的言语给予我们平安与安息。这也当领我们赞美神，并惊叹祂谦卑与慈爱的奇妙性情；这由基督卑微的诞生与十架上惨痛之死彰显出来。当我们晓得自己不配得耶稣奇妙的爱，使之祂在十架惨痛死去，这才是谦卑。祷告你会对基督的性情赞叹不已，并借着祂的恩典试图效法祂。
