Our Powerful yet Gentle Savior - Daily Hope with Rick Warren - December 25, 2020
Our Powerful yet Gentle Savior
By Rick Warren
“Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.” Isaiah 40:28-29 (NIV)
Did you know that thousands of years before you were born, God knew just what you needed?
God knew you’d need extra strength so you wouldn’t give up.
God knew you needed a Savior so big that the entire universe couldn’t hold him.
God knew you needed a Savior so tender and caring that you’d turn to him during times of pain and suffering.
Centuries before Jesus’ birth, the prophet Isaiah announced that God would send his Son to Earth. This was 700 years before the very first Christmas.
He told us the Savior would be both powerful and personal—and he’d be strong enough to save us, but also tender and loving.
Most impressively, God tells us that Jesus would have a personal relationship with us.
It’s an amazing prediction.
God tells us this in Isaiah 40:
“Shout louder—don’t be afraid—tell the cities of Judah, ‘Your God is coming!’ Yes, the Lord God is coming with mighty power; he will rule with awesome strength . . . He will feed his flock like a shepherd; he will carry the lambs in his arms and gently lead the ewes with young” (Isaiah 40:9-11 TLB).
Again, Isaiah didn’t predict just Jesus’ gentleness but also his enormous power.
“Look, the nations are like a drop in a bucket; they are considered as a speck of dust in the scales; He lifts up the islands like fine dust” (Isaiah 40:15 HCSB).
Then Isaiah got personal, and he applied the coming of Jesus to our lives today.
“Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one and calls forth each of them by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing . . . Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak” (Isaiah 40:26, 28-29 NIV).
I don’t know what problems you’re facing this Christmas. I don’t know what burdens you’re bearing. I don’t know what grief, fear, anxiety, or confusion you may be feeling right now, but I do know this:
Your Creator is there for you—with the power of a hurricane and the gentleness of a baby, born in a manger 2,000 years ago.
PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick
For more Daily Hope with Rick Warren, please visit pastorrick.com!

Transform Your Health and Deepen Your Faith with the Daniel Plan!
Are you ready to enjoy whole health—body, mind, and spirit? Pastor Rick’s bestselling book, The Daniel Plan can help!
This proven, Bible-based program has helped thousands of people:
• Lose weight in a sustainable way.
• Boost energy and vitality.
• Strengthen relationships.
• Grow closer to God.
The Daniel Plan is our thanks for your continued support to help bring the hope of Jesus Christ to more people around the world through Daily Hope.
But this resource is only available for a limited time—so request your copy below when you give today!
*The USA IRS code permits you to deduct the amount of your financial gift to Daily Hope that exceeds the fair market value of materials you received from Daily Hope.
This devotional © 2018 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
You can listen to Rick Warren on OnePlace.com.