Isaiah 44:8
Fear ye not, neither be afraid: have not I told thee from that time, and have declared it? ye are even my witnesses.
Suggested Scripture reading – Isaiah 44:6-18
The funeral was over. The family had gone home, and it was time to reflect on how life would change now that their loved one was gone. Truth was it would be brutal. She had been mom. She had been wife. She had been the center of the family. Now she was gone. How could the family cope with life with out her? But they did cope! They went back to their lives and continued on as she would have wanted them to. The comment was made by one of the children, “It must have been the Lord’s strength that got us through because I would have fallen apart with out Him.” Others in the community saw the peace and strength that was being supplied by the Lord to this little family. It became a powerful testimony of the reality of God to a community that knew little of God and how He can abide in the hearts of His followers.
Isaiah was talking about how God uses events in the lives of His people as a testimony to others in chapter 44 of the book that bears his name. At that time most of God’s people were rebellious and sinful. Yet, in that nation there were still many that trusted and loved Him. In verse 6 God declares His existence and sovereignty. God tells His children that His plan for them in the midst of so many who did not believe on him was, “ye are even my witnesses. Is there a God beside me? yea, there is no God; I know not any.” (vs. 8b)
The pain that the family felt was very real, but the strength God gave them was also very real. In their trial the sweetness of His presence witnessed to the reality of His existence. Child of God even in the deepest times of trial or sorrow,
Fear ye not, neither be afraid . . . Ye are even my witnesses.
Isaiah 43:11-12
I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no savior. I have declared, and have saved, and I have shewed, when there was no strange god among you: therefore ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, that I am God.
