Where Anxieties Cease – Morning Devotional – from the Edges –

Isaiah 43 Devotionals

Where All Anxieties Cease

Pastor Calvin Cook

March 19,2025

Key Verse: “Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth.” (Isaiah 43:6)

God’s love is inclusive and far-reaching, drawing His children from every corner of the earth. For me the question is circling of where God is drawing me to? Am I ready to receive it? Am I ready to allow God to change the very depths of my soul that causes me the greatest pain in the midst of a persona that appears to be OK? I ask these questions this morning not for my own purpose but for all of the benefits that will lift us from that which continues to prowl on and devour our joy, hope, and happiness.

This morning, I have been drawn to consider anxiety. It is easy to say in times of anxiousness that God calls us to a place of peace and trust, realistically being there is a much more difficult accomplishment. It is easy to say instead of being consumed by worry, strife, and pain to focus on the promises of a better place of divine comfort and care, but entering that place is difficult because of the chains of the world, of sin that is wrapped around our very being.

1 Peter 5: 6-7 speaks these words “So make yourselves humble. Put yourselves under God’s mighty hand. Then he will honor you at the right time. 7 Turn all your worries over to him. He cares about you.” Thinking we are in the right place and actually being in the right place are two different issues.  We have been invited, we have been summoned, we have been chosen, we have been called from the far corners of the world. Now all we have to do is set ourselves aside and allow God to work, and be and have His being.

Jesus exemplified this by setting aside times and places for personal retreat with the Heavenly Father. Times of prayer and sitting in the intimacy of the care that God continues to desire to want to give us. Ultimately the sacrifice of Jesus opened the door for all to come to God. May the healing and relief from these anxious times happen beginning right now.

Reflection: During Lent, long for that place of peace and tranquility. Think of ways and things that need to change that will draw you closer to God.