But God will never throw us away
Isaiah 41:9-10 [The Lord says] “I have chosen you and will not throw you away. Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. … For I hold you by your right hand—I, the Lord your God. And I say to you, ‘Don’t be afraid. I am here to help you.’”
Isaiah 41 lit up for me this week because two dear Pittsburgh friends are stuck in Tel Aviv. They took a tour in Israel to celebrate their retirement, and their tour guide was called to active duty. Then their flight home was cancelled. Another reason to pray for God’s mercy, along with our prayers for both Israelis and Palestinians caught in the crossfire with Hamas.
I have chosen you.
I will not throw you away.
I am with you.
I am your God.
I will strengthen you.
I will help you.
I will hold you up.
I hold you by your hand.
I am here to help you.
So, don’t be afraid or discouraged.
Here is the story of this beloved hymn (authorship unknown) linked above, whose second stanza is taken from Isaiah 41:10.
Debra Kornfield 
Oh, Deb, this hit a perfect chord for me as well. At the mention of your close connection to the tragic event in Israel, once again I am struck with the certainty that all of us are brothers and sisters together in this world. We are all connected by God and responsible to Love and protect in God’s name no matter who or how or where. The face of one suffering could be any one of us. My job is to trust that God will continue to guide me in his way and help the one who needs it. I see and know that’s what you do.
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So true, Meredith. Thank you.
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Coming home from the World Evangelical Alliance meetings in Istanbul, I ran into a father with three young boys boarding the plane in Paris for Newark. They had just arrived from Israel where their tour was cut short. They apparently spent some time in a bomb shelter. What an experience! We definitely need to pray that not only will this war cease but that some progress could be made regarding the root causes that are so deep that they could lead to his desperate move on Hamas part, knowing their would be massive retaliation. Whewee!
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Welcome home!!
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