Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord himself, is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation.
Isaiah 12:2 (NIV)
Words to Say Before You Feel Them
This verse is a song, and part of it is older than Isaiah. Moses and the Israelites sang “The Lord is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation” on the far side of the Red Sea, after God brought them through.
Isaiah gives the same words to God’s people for a day of rescue that hadn’t come yet. The chapter opens by telling them that in that day they will say it.
So when you say “The Lord, the Lord himself, is my strength and my defense,” you’re singing with Moses and with everyone God has brought through since. Isaiah handed these words to people who were still waiting, so they had the song before the rescue came. You can hold it the same way, and say “I will trust and not be afraid” before you feel it.
A Prayer to Remember
Lord, you are my salvation, my strength, and my defense. I will trust you and not be afraid. I praise you for every time you’ve brought your people through, and for the times you’ve brought me through.
In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
