Isaiah 51-53 / Ephesians 5 / Psalm 69:19-36 / Proverbs 24:7
With everything that’s happening in our world right now, I’m always looking for strength and courage in scripture. I must remind myself that even when God’s people go through hard things, His mercy covers us. Evil and wickedness are under judgment, and God’s people are affected by that, but we are also protected by Him. That doesn’t mean we won’t suffer, but it does mean He is present.
All of the reading in Isaiah chapters 51-53 was both eye-opening and encouraging today. I especially appreciated the promises I found in Isaiah 51:1-3 so I wanted to look at those three verses a little more closely. Here they are for you to read:
“Listen to me, all who hope for deliverance—all who seek the Lord! Consider the rock from which you were cut, the quarry from which you were mined. Yes, think about Abraham, your ancestor, and Sarah, who gave birth to your nation. Abraham was only one man when I called him. But when I blessed him, he became a great nation.”The Lord will comfort Israel again and have pity on her ruins. Her desert will blossom like Eden,
her barren wilderness like the garden of the Lord. Joy and gladness will be found there.
Just at face value I love the imagery of having been cut from a rock and mined from a quarry. I imagine that means I am strong and courageous, as well as precious and rare. I’m reminded of how God is referred to as our Rock of salvation, making Him a strong place to stand. When I think about Abraham and Sarah, who were patriarchs who followed God and were the originators of an entire nation of people, I realize that we as the people of God were chosen long ago and the promises that He has made to us will be fulfilled by Him.
The Lord will comfort His people, especially in challenging times. I’ve talked before about how God never leaves us nor forsakes us. He is always there, a strength and help in our times of need. The promises that our desert places will bloom bring great hope!
Deserts are dry and barren, but not when God is involved. He brings water and refreshing into the desert places in our lives and into His church. Joy and gladness will be found in those times of refreshing with the Lord. And I believe these times happen while difficult trials are all around.
Several years ago, I had the strong sense that both judgment and mercy would come crashing together soon. I didn’t know when, but I knew it was coming. I feel we are living in those days now. In His wrath, may He remember mercy (Habakkuk 3:2)
So, if you’re looking around you and you’re fearful and uncertain of the future, remember who is really in charge. The Lord is sitting on His throne in Heaven but also very involved in the lives of His people. He sees everything that is happening, and He is attempting to make wrongs right again. His is a fight for Truth and justice.
When you’re fearful, run to Him and He will cover you with the shadow of His hand! (Isaiah 51:16)
