"Even to your old age and gray hairs I am He, I am He who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you" (Isaiah 46:4).

I've turned 50 and my wife tells me I'm getting a few gray hairs.  Since she's my personal barber she sees even more than I do when I look in the mirror. I prefer to still see myself as middle-aged but I know age progresses on for all of us.  An older individual wrote yesterday and put it this way, "When they talk of older people I never think they are talking about me.  Old is always older than I am."

In the daily Scripture portion the Lord is speaking through Isaiah. What a wonderful assurance this statement brings to the believer especially as we age.  How powerful to read a proclamation by God made over 2,700 years ago!  

It looks back to the self-revealing One that Moses encountered at the burning bush some 700 years earlier, who said, "I AM THAT I AM."   It looks ahead to the One who said some 700 years later "I am."  And today He still says, "I am He."

I want to encourage each reader to draw strength from God's promises in this statement:

• I am He who will sustain you.
• I have made you.
• I will carry you.
• I will sustain you.
• I will rescue you.

Notice that the promise that God will sustain is repeated twice in the text as to give us double the assurance. Notice the Lord says, "I have made you and I will carry you", surely a contrast to the false gods made by man that must be carried. He will rescue us from the inevitable problems of life.

"He has cared for us from the beginning of our lives, continues to act on our behalf, and will sustain us even to the end." *

What troubles you today?  What big problem are you dealing with?  God is a lot bigger than that problem. That indeed is a promise for us all!


Be encouraged today,


Stephen C. Weber

Brooksyne's Prayer:  "Lord Jesus, I am full of gratitude today as I consider Your abiding presence in my life.  You planned my existence in my mother's womb before I even drew my first breath.  When so many people have come into my life and exited it throughout the years You have taken up residence and You forever rule my heart.  When the path before me was unclear You have always gone before me sustaining me in my wilderness journey. Though all forsake me You remain faithful, and remarkable as it seems, even if we are faithless, You will remain faithful, for You cannot deny Yourself.  Thank You for being my Supreme Savior and the Sustainer of my soul.  In Jesus Name, Amen."

This morning I will be traveling with my family up to New England, where we lived and pastored a church in Taunton Massachusetts for over 7 years in the late 90's. We expect to see many of our friends as well as visit some of our favorite sights.  This coming Sunday I have the opportunity to preach at the First Baptist Church in Marlboro, Massachusetts. I was invited by a daily encouragement net reader whom I have never met, but will soon do so!

I plan to continue with this series while on my visit assuming I can get access to the Internet to update the site.

* Note from the "Full Life Study Bible.