New Morning Mercies for Teens: A 10-Day Gospel Devotional预览

For the believer, fear is always God-forgetful. If God is sovereign and his rule is complete, wise, righteous, and good, why would you fear?

The words of King Hezekiah (below) ring as true today as they did in the scary moment centuries ago when they were first spoken. Judah had been invaded by the powerful king of Assyria, Sennacherib. King Hezekiah prepared and armed Judah for battle, but that is not all he did. He addressed the people with a more significant issue. He knew that in these moments, God’s people were often given to fear. And he knew where that fear came from.

Often in moments of challenge, the people of God would panic because they were identity amnesiacs. They would forget who they were as the children of the all-powerful God. So at this moment, Hezekiah knew he couldn’t just be a good king and a skilled general. He must also be a wise pastor to his people.

As they were preparing for the Assyrian onslaught, Hezekiah didn’t want the people of Judah to think that they were left on their own. He wanted them to know they had more than just their battle courage, war experience, and skill with weapons. He wanted them to realize they had been amazingly blessed with another ingredient, one that they could not and must not forget. So Hezekiah said: “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or dismayed before the king of Assyria and all the horde that is with him. . . . With him is an arm of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God, to help us and to fight our battles” (2 Chron. 32:7–8).

There will be a moment when you will ask, “Where can I find courage to face what I am facing?” Hezekiah gives you your answer: “Look up and remember your God.” As God’s child, you are never left to battle on your own.

I, I am he who comforts you;

who are you that you are afraid of man who dies,

of the son of man who is made like grass,

and have forgotten the Lord, your Maker,

who stretched out the heavens

and laid the foundations of the earth. (Isa. 51:12–13)

Reflect: In what situations around friends is it easy for you to become an “identity amnesiac,” forgetting who you really are? Why do you think that you forget in these kinds of situations?