Isaiah 41 (4-14, 21-24, 27-29)

4 Who has made that happen? Who has carried it out?
Who has created all the people who have ever lived?
I, the Lord, have done it. I was with the first of them.
And I will be with the last of them.”

5 The people on the islands have seen that king coming.
And it has made them afraid.
People tremble with fear from one end of the earth to the other.
They come and gather together.
6 They help one another.
They say to one another, “Be strong!”
7 One skilled worker makes a statue of a god.
Another covers it with gold.
The first worker says to the second,
“You have done a good job.”
Another worker smooths out the metal with a hammer.
Still another gives the statue its final shape.
The one who hammers says to the one who shapes,
“You have done a good job.”
Then they nail the statue down so it won’t fall over.

8 The Lord says, “People of Israel, you are my servants.
Family of Jacob, I have chosen you.
You are the children of my friend Abraham.
9 I gathered you from one end of the earth to the other.
From the farthest places on earth I brought you together.
I said, ‘You are my servants.’ I have chosen you.
I have not turned my back on you.
10 So do not be afraid. I am with you.
Do not be terrified. I am your God.
I will make you strong and help you.
I will hold you safe in my hands. I always do what is right.

13 I am the Lord your God.
I take hold of your right hand.
I say to you, ‘Do not be afraid. I will help you.’
14 Family of Jacob, you are as weak as a worm.
But do not be afraid.
People of Israel, there are only a few of you. But do not be afraid.
I myself will help you,” announces the Lord.
He is the one who sets his people free. He is the Holy One of Israel.

21 The Lord says to the nations and their gods, “State your case.”
Jacob’s King says to them, “Prove your case to me.
22 Tell us, you false gods, what is going to happen.
Tell us what happened in the past.
Then we can check it out and see if it is really true.
Or announce to us the things that will take place.
23 Tell us what will happen in the days ahead.
Then we will know that you are gods.
Do something. It does not matter whether it is good or bad.
Then we will be terrified and filled with fear.
24 But you false gods are less than nothing.
Your actions are completely worthless.
I hate it when people worship you.

27 I was the first to tell Zion.
I said, ‘Look! The people of Israel are coming back!’
I sent a messenger to Jerusalem with the good news.
28 I look, but there is no one
among the gods that can give me advice.
None of them can answer when I ask them the simplest question.
29 So they are not really gods at all.
What they do does not amount to anything. They are as useless as wind.



Questions

1. What can you learn about God in this passage?

2. What kind of relationship does God want with us?

3. Why do you think God keeps saying “Do not be afraid”? 
(Fun fact: “Do not be afraid” appears for a total of 365 times in the Bible!)
In what areas of your life do you hear God repeating to you “Do not be afraid”?

4. How does the passage compare God and false idols? Have you experienced these differences in your life? What “idols” in your life—such as success, wealth, control, security, or approval—tempt you to trust them more than God, especially in uncertain times?

5. How is God speaking to you today through this passage? How will you obey? What is the most challenging part?