Isaiah 44:6-8 (NRSV)
Read Isaiah 44:6-8 on biblegateway.com
Verse 6Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel, and his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts: I am the first and I am the last; besides me there is no god. Verse 7Who is like me? Let them proclaim it, let them declare and set it forth before me. Who has announced from of old the things to come? Let them tell us what is yet to be. Verse 8Do not fear, or be afraid; have I not told you from of old and declared it? You are my witnesses! Is there any god besides me? There is no other rock; I know not one.
Devotion
A professor in college told me during a lecture on stewardship, "Show me your checkbook, I'll show you your God." The end of v.8 tells us who the "Rock" is in our world. God is the rock on which we stand and place our foundations. I watch people waste so much time, effort and resources trying to find their false gods-gods that offer no security and no freedom. Even though my wife and I have enough student loan debt to own a house, God truly gives "Daily Bread." It has been a blessing and a comfort living one day at a time. Bills get paid, food still appears on the table and my motorcycle still takes me to places that will forever show God's beauty. God is that rock in all our lives if we choose to trust and live our lives as such.
Prayer
Giver of Life, give us strength and understanding as to who you are. You are our one and only God. Nothing else stands firm. Nothing else secures us with the things we need. Guide those who are weak, and remind those who think they are strong, that you, and you alone, are the rock that does not crumble. Amen.