We live in uncertain times. Our country is divided as maybe never before. The world is seemingly filled with hatred and everyone has a portable device connected to the internet through which they can spread their form of hatred and fear. Is there any hope?
In Isaiah Chapter 41 we have the answer and we learn that in the midst of seemingly impossible circumstances God is not only in control, but He is at work. God summons the nations to account for the military successes and destruction of a conqueror who turns out to be Cyrus. God announces that it was He who had raised up Cyrus (the King of the Medes and the Persians) to deal with the sins of His people (the Jews) and Babylon who had taken His people into captivity. A world that appeared to be out of control was actually in His control.
But even as the world was being ravished and justice was being served for both God’s people and their enemies God gives a promise to His people. – Isa 41:17 – 20 When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue is parched with thirst, I the LORD will answer them; I the God of Israel will not forsake them. I will open rivers on the bare heights, and fountains in the midst of the valleys. I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water. I will put in the wilderness the cedar, the acacia, the myrtle, and the olive. I will set in the desert the cypress, the plane and the pine together, that they may see and know, may consider and understand together, that the hand of the LORD has done this, the Holy One of Israel has created it.
God tells us that He will protect and take care of His people because He is a covenant God who keeps His promises and so “we may see and know, may consider and understand together, that the hand of the Lord has done this…”.
“To see” means to behold, or hold up and observe with delight; “to know” means to become familiar with by spending time with; “consider” means to allow it to leave its mark inside you; and “to understand” means to become an expert in well enough to teach. Therefore, God shows us that He controls history and keeps His promises so that as we behold His works and become familiar with His works we will be changed from the inside out in such a way that we can teach others about the Power and Mercy of God.
The world is not out of control! God is in control! The whole world is trying to get you to focus on anything other than God so that you will first become afraid and in response trust and follow anything other than God. May you see and know, consider and understand that only God can save us and only God will save us. Be Blessed!
