Daily Devotions
July 15th, 2009 by Pastor SolleyIsa 41:6-10
6 They helped every one his neighbour; and every one said to his brother, Be of good courage .
7 So the carpenter encouraged the goldsmith, and he that smootheth with the hammer him that smote the anvil, saying, It is ready for the sodering: and he fastened it with nails, that it should not be moved.
8 But thou, Israel, art my servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the seed of Abraham my friend.
9 Thou whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, and called thee from the chief men thereof, and said unto thee, Thou art my servant; I have chosen thee, and not cast thee away.
10 Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.Verse 6 of our text is the last place the phrase “good courage” is found in the Bible. I would like to use it this morning to demonstrate the need for being is a good Bible believing church when the doors are open.
Each one helped themselves in the verse above. The carpenter helped the goldsmith and so on. People need fellowship with those of like mind and with those of like faith. So many join worldly groups to meet this need. They join clubs and groups so they can meet and work for a common goals. And while many of those goals are noble they are worldly.
Yet the Christian can meet with those of like faith, like mind, and work for spiritual things that will not fade away and be rewarded for it in heaven at the judgment seat of Christ. Why is it then so many are indifferent to the services of the local church and so few work within the church? The same ones that help this group and that group ignore the church. Why is that so few will have the good courage to make a real commitment to the local church and work of the Lord.
Have the good courage to step out of the world and into God’s church.