Isaiah 44:1-8, The Living Bible
Listen to me, O my servant Israel, O my chosen ones:
The Lord who made you, who will help you, says: O servant of mine, don’t be afraid. O Jerusalem, my chosen ones, don’t be afraid. For I will give you abundant water for your thirst and for your parched fields. And I will pour out my Spirit and my blessings on your children. They shall thrive like watered grass, like willows on a riverbank. “I am the Lord’s,” they’ll proudly say, or, “I am a Jew,” and tattoo upon their hands the name of God or the honored name of Israel.
The Lord, the King of Israel, says—yes, it is Israel’s Redeemer, the Lord Almighty, who says it—I am the First and Last; there is no other God. Who else can tell you what is going to happen in the days ahead? Let them tell you if they can and prove their power. Let them do as I have done since ancient times. Don’t, don’t be afraid. Haven’t I proclaimed from ages past that I would save you? You are my witnesses—is there any other God? No! None that I know about! There is no other Rock!
‘There is no other Rock!’
Indeed.
And the rocks of earth
pale in comparison.
Rocks are solid,
sturdy,
intimidating,
challenging,
BIG.
And, I imagine,
so is GOD.
But what I love
are these words:
‘Don’t, don’t
be afraid.’
That double negative
somehow carries
weight beyond
those few letters.
It tells me that
God means it.
God means for me
NOT to be afraid.
Why?
Because rocks are
also safe places,
sheltering places,
hiding places.
And some days,
that is exactly
what I need.
You are SO right, Diana. Sometimes we are desperate for a safe, sheltering, hiding place. Praise God, He is our refuge–always available and omnipotently strong! Thank you for the reminder: There is no other Rock!
I love the rock imagery woven through scripture. And I love beautiful rocks. I was not so fond, however, of the GIGANTIC ones that came down on our town in the mudslides in January. Those were terrifying and overwhelming. I guess sometimes it pays to remember that those adjectives could fit our Rock, too.
That double negative really spoke to me, too, Diana. What a relief to be able to run to the Rock of Ages, who will calm our fears and drive away all doubt.
Blessings!
Amen!