Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will hold on to you with my righteous right hand.
ISAIAH 41:10 (CSB)

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Max Lucado has a book with a title I love. I like it so much that I include it as part of my daily prayers. The book is entitled, In the Grip of Grace. When I read these words in Isaiah, that imagery comes to mind.

What is going on in your world today? This week? Glancing at my calendar this morning, I see that my father has his second eye surgery today. Our son has his second shoulder surgery on Wednesday. I am supposed to lead training on Thursday. My coworker Becky and my friends John and Gerry will take my place. I will sit in on some preparation for other training I will lead in the next few weeks.

Those are the things I can see. There is more that I cannot. How about you?

The recovery from my recent surgery lolls along. A low-grade fever persists. Energy levels remain far below normal capacity. Sometimes I am too tired to read. This is an extreme experience for yours truly.

Joshua 1:9 and Isaiah 41:10 remind us that we are never alone. They encourage us with the truth that we are never out of God’s care. These truths echo throughout the Bible in every kind of literature. God tells us two powerful truths again and again: He is in charge, and we belong to him. Jesus says in John 10:28, “I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand.”

• It is always too early to panic.
• It is always too soon to be paralyzed by fear.
• It is always time to trust God to take care of whatever we face.
• It is always good to live in the grip of his grace.

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I will live in the grip of God’s grace.

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Our Father, we belong to you. You hold us in the grip of your grace. Therefore, we do not have to yield to fear. There is nothing you will lead us to that you will not lead us through. This is why we give you our praise and thanksgiving. This is why we can look forward in faith. This is why we can trust you with every moment and every eventuality. Amen.