A normal feeling for one facing a chronic illness is fear. The unknown and uncertainty are scary. The very word cancer often has death or at least its possibility confronting us. If it is rheumatoid arthritis you picture pain and decreased mobility or use of joints.
Today’s Scripture reminds us that God is with us. We do not face today or tomorrow alone.
Today’s Bible Verse:
Isaiah 41:10 (KJV), “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.”
What the verse means:
The verse’s meaning is best seen when examined in context with two preceding verses. Isaiah 41:8-10 (KJV), “But thou, Israel, art my servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the seed of Abraham my friend. Thou whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, and called thee from the chief men thereof, and said unto thee, Thou art my servant; I have chosen thee, and not cast thee away. Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.”
The whole passage is one of great tenderness. I am with thee (that is, God is with you). I (God) will strengthen you (now and in the future). I have strengthened you (in times past). There is a reminder that God has chosen you). We see a declaration of past favors as well as prophetic words for future favors since God is unchanging.
Praying using the verses:
- Heavenly Father, we fear not because You are here with us as we fight our affliction.
- We are not heartbroken or dismayed because we know You are our God.
- We rejoice and claim Your promises that You will strengthen us.
- We rejoice and claim Your promises that You will help us.
- We rejoice and claim Your promises that You will uphold us with the right hand of Your righteousness.
- We continue to pray for a hedge of protection for our loved one or even ourself, both in the workplace and during treatments.
Photo Source: Pixaby
Jimmie Aaron Kepler is a novelist, poet, book reviewer, and award-winning short story writer. His work has appeared in over twenty venues, including Christian publications like Deacon Magazine, Church Leadership Magazine, Discipleship Training Magazine, and Sunday School Leader Magazine as well as secular publications like Bewildering Stories, Beyond Imagination, Poetry & Prose Magazine, and The Dead Mule School of Southern Literature. He is a former Captain in the US Army. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in History with minors in English and Military Science from The University of Texas at Arlington, Master of Arts and Master of Religious Education degrees from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, as well as the Doctor of Education degree. His blog Kepler’s Book Reviews was named a 100 best blogs for history buffs. He is an author. His books and collections available on Amazon. This blog post is from his forthcoming book, “Prayers for the Chronically Ill.”
