9th December 2025
Margo Cunningham
“Do not be afraid, you worm Jacob,
little Israel, do not fear,
for I myself will help you,’ declares the Lord,
your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.”
Isaiah 41:14 (NIV)
Hope in him
A business I worked for sent managers on outward-bound courses to develop their leadership and management skills in challenging situations with limited resources.
One activity was abseiling down a disused lead mine. Our instructors told us not to be afraid as they would help us. When we started the descent there was some daylight, but it soon faded. It became darker and narrower, until we came to a point where we had to crawl, one by one, through a tight, wet, dark tunnel which eventually terminated on a mountain ledge. As my eyes adjusted to the brightness of the day, the sense of joy and wonder at the beauty of the mountains was overwhelming.
“Do not be afraid, O worm Jacob, O little Israel, for I myself will help you.” This is the third time in almost as many verses the Israelites have been told not to fear. God will help them. He is their Redeemer.
They are fearful. They are despised by their enemies who liken them to worms; small and toothless. Like worms, they could be easily trampled on by their enemies. (As an amateur gardener I know worms benefit the soil so I do my best not to trample on them.)
There is hope for the Israelites as the Lord tells them at least eight times in this chapter what He will do for them. One of the images used to help people see and understand the Lord’s power is of a threshing sledge with many teeth. God’s power can crush mountains, reduce hills to chaff and blow them away. Here the Lord demonstrates his power in the challenges they face against their enemies – a stark contrast to a worm which is toothless and weak.
Advent can be a challenging time for many as they wait. For some it may be an emotionally challenging time because of bereavement; the fear of loneliness, the empty chair at the dinner table. For many the fear is financial as they wait for the next pay cheque, benefit credit or pension payment. How will they afford the gifts on their Christmas list, the cost of Christmas dinner and the additional cost of winter fuel.
The Lord encourages us not to fear, rather to put our hope in him because he will help us.
Shall we pray?:
Father God, thank you that you help all who call on your name. We call out to you for those who are poor and in need, for those bereaved and those lonely. Help them to trust you in their time of need. Jesus, Light of the world, be their hope. Amen.
Margo Cunningham is an elder at Prestongrange Parish Church, Prestonpans. She is involved in encouraging prayer locally, regionally and nationally.