Fearless

Read: Isaiah 41:8-10

Zoe couldn’t wait to go on her youth group trip to the state park, where there would be camping, hiking, swimming, and bonfires. She packed her duffle bag and was about to zip it up when her mother walked in. “Aren’t you going to pack your Bible?” Mom asked, pointing to the dust-laden book on Zoe’s nightstand. “You might want it.”

Zoe reluctantly put it in her bag. “We’re going to be talking about the Bible the whole time! Why do I need it with me?” But her mother just smiled and left.

On the first day of her trip, Zoe was finishing her lunch when the head counselor made an announcement. “In twenty minutes, there will be a game of capture the flag. Afterward we’ll have ice cream—and the winning side gets first dibs on toppings!”

The group cheered as teams were chosen. Zoe’s team decided that she and a few others would search for the other team’s flag. Once the whistle blew, Zoe raced through the woods to the other side of camp. When she saw an enemy team member coming toward her, she veered off the path and ran in what she thought was the right direction. Ten minutes later, it proved her wrong. She was lost!

Sitting on a fallen tree, she tried to think of how to get back to camp, but it was hopeless. So she prayed about it, desperately asking God to help her find her way back. Then one of the Bible verses they’d talked about earlier that day popped into her head. Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Zoe thought about what her counselor had said—that God loved her so much He’d sent Jesus to die for her so she could be His child. It gave her peace knowing He was with her.

Just then Ezra, a boy from her team, appeared from behind a tree. “Are you lost?” he asked. “I’ll show you the way back to camp.”

Zoe thanked him, and they made their way back. That night, as she opened her Bible, Zoe silently thanked God for being with her and for calming her fears with the truth of His Word.

–Norah Varner

How about you? Have you ever been in a situation where you felt lost or afraid? We can always find peace by remembering the truth God gives us in His Word. So don’t let your Bible get covered with dust! Even in the darkest moments, we can be assured that God loves us and is with us. When you read the Bible and memorize verses, such as today’s key verse, the truth of God’s Word can help you feel His peace.

Today’s key verse: