Today’s scripture: Isaiah 12:1-6 (NRSV) (The Message) (KJV) What might God be saying to me?
My thoughts (Vivian Wyatt):
Two summers ago, I went home for a vacation during summer break. My grandson, KJ, had just received his learner’s permit. Of course, he wanted Nana to ride with him so that he could show off his car and his ability to drive. With much trepidation, I got into the car.
About a mile from his home, we came to a stop light. KJ wanted to make a right turn on red without stopping and proceeded to turn as a police cruiser was making a left turn with the light. I put my hand on his arm and said very emphatically, “Stop!” He did, and the policeman continued on his way. When someone asked if the policeman saw KJ’s error, I said yes, but he also saw the expression on my face and I’m sure assumed that I was saying everything he would have said and more. Later that evening, my granddaughter, Taylor, asked me if I prayed every day. I said yes, and she then asked, “When did you pray today?” I replied, “When I was riding with your brother.”
Fast forward two summers. Taylor now has her learner’s permit and wanted to take Nana for a ride. She, of course, drove me to the mall. On the way home, she had to make a left turn from the inside lane of two lanes that are turning left. The light turned green, and she went from the inside left lane all the way across to the far right lane. Fortunately, the other cars managed to get out of her way. There was only one small honk, as if to say, “See me, I’m here.” Once again, I found myself praying when I was riding with a grandchild.
Surely God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid, for the Lord God is my strength and my might; he has become my salvation.
Isaiah says I will trust, not I might trust. In essence, my prayer should be, it doesn’t matter how dark the night, how stormy the seas, or how inexperienced a driver my grandchild is. I will trust. Fortunately, I don’t have to face life’s scary situations alone.
Thought for the day: Even in scary situations, trust God to see you through. The trust is not that God will respond in exactly the way you want — but, whatever the outcome, God is with you.
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the suggestions on the How to Pray page.