Our Father’s Presence

“ ‘For I am the L ord your God who takes hold of your right hand

and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you’ ” (Isa. 41:13, NIV).

Someone once said, “When God seems far away, who is the one who

has moved?” When problems strike, we presume that God has deserted

us. The truth is that He hasn’t gone anywhere.

God’s presence seemed very far away to the Jews in exile. Yet,

through Isaiah, God assures them of future deliverance. However, while

the actual return to Jerusalem was still many years in the future, God

wanted His people to know that He had not moved away from them and

that there was every reason for hope.

Read Isaiah 41:8–14. What reasons for hope can you identify for peo-

ple waiting eagerly for future deliverance? How does this promise

help us as we wait for our exile on earth to end?

One of the most powerful images in these verses is found in verse

13. The sovereign God of the universe says that His people do not need

to fear, because He is the one who takes “ ‘hold of your right hand’ ”

(NIV). It is one thing to imagine God guiding events on earth from a

big throne light-years away from our earth. But it is an altogether dif-

ferent picture to realize that He is close enough to hold the hands of

His dearly beloved people.

When we are busy, it can be hard to remember that God is so close

to us. But when we do remember that He is Immanuel, “God with us,”

it makes such a difference. When God’s presence is with us, so are His

purposes, His promises, and His transforming power.

Over the next few days, try an experiment. At every moment

possible, try to remind yourself that the God of the universe

is close enough to you to hold your hand and is personally

promising you help. Keep a record of how this changes the

way you live. Be prepared to discuss your experience in class

on Sabbath.