“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” (Isaiah 41:10)
I have always known of this verse. It seems to be popular from time-to-time with pastors – especially when counseling a parishioner. It is reassuring, it is comforting. All by itself it brings solace to a troubled soul. But, taken in context with the verses around it, it comes alive.
God is speaking to His people through the prophet Isaiah about their restoration. They had been, at this time, dispersed throughout the known regions of the world, carried of in captivity for their disobedience. God is reassuring them He has not forgotten them and will restore them to their land. In another passage, God tells His people He will restore the years that have been taken from them. He will, in essence, make it like it never happened.
How amazing our God is! In His righteous anger, God promises He will not abandon us. Even when we deserve it – He will no more abandon us than a mother will abandon her child. What a beautiful assurance this should give us! Yet, as Paul wrote centuries later, we don’t abuse that love or use that as an excuse to continue to live however we want to. I have many friends – brothers and sisters in Christ – who have run from God for years and have returned. They found, as did the Prodigal Son, that the world is a cold, lonely, place of betrayal and hurt. Satan’s temptations look good at first, but that is just the travel brochure. Once they arrived at the depths of where he took them, it didn’t look anything at all like the pamphlet. They found, however, that when they called out on the Name of the Lord He heard them and rescued them. These are the true 1%-ers. Jesus left the ninety and nine to search out the one. Thank you, Jesus!!!
In the verses around this one, we read God’s words again and again that He will hold our right hand and be with us. He will restore those who are called by His Name to their rightful place in the Kingdom and all who came against them shall vanish. Even should we go looking for them, they will not be found. I recall the words of Moses to the Israelites at the edge of the Red Sea. The Israelites had just escaped Eygpt and were fleeing to the land God had promised to them. On the way they got trapped between the surrounding hills and mountains and the Red Sea. The Egyptians, having changed their minds, were closing in on them to re-capture them. All looked hopeless. Until.
Moses spoke with God, then turned to the Israelites and proclaimed: “Do you see these men coming after us? You will see them no more after today!” He then held out his rod (of leadership) over the waters of the Red Sea, they parted, and the Israelites passed through on dry ground. Later, as the Egyptians entered that same pathway to continue their pursuit, God caused the waters to close over them and drown them. Moses’ words came true: those men were never seen again after that day.
We have One greater than Moses speaking to us today in this verse. No matter where you find yourself today, rest in the assurance that God is just a cry away. He won’t rescue you so you can go back to the lifestyle you had before, though. He will set your feet in a wide place, a safe place, wash away every stain of sin, break every bondage, and give you new life. But He waits for you.
Are you tired of fighting the same battles? Are you tired of running away? Are you ready to raise the white flag and just give up? Don’t believe the lies of the enemy. He will tell you it’s too late. He will tell you that you have gone too far. He will tell you God doesn’t love you anymore. He will tell you that you are too ugly, too dirty, too evil for God to save you now. LIES! If you are feeling hopeless, helpless, alone, afraid, confused, whatever – call out to Jesus now. Don’t wait another minute. This message got to you just in time! DO IT!!! I promise He is waiting.
Be blessed.
Comments