It always amazes me when thoughts for a new blog are not so much what
others need to hear, but what I need to hear myself! I have not been well this week; quite ill in
fact. How appropriate to be reading about King Hezekiah’s illness in Isaiah
chapter 38 (NRSV). It seems King
Hezekiah was so ill he was near death.
The prophet Isaiah brought the word of the Lord to Hezekiah that God
would “add fifteen years” (v. 5) to Hezekiah’s life. The more I thought about this, the more I
realized that Isaiah writes a great deal about the frailty of human life—a
striking contrast to the attributes of God.
Isaiah tells us that we are mere “grasshoppers” (Isaiah 40:22,
NIV). Again with reference to humans,
Isaiah says, “…you are less than nothing and your works are utterly worthless,”
(Isaiah 41:24, NIV). Although I realize
Isaiah’s message was spoken directly to the Israelites, I still see value for
us today. Perhaps this sounds a little bleak
at first, but I think until we come to realize just how frail we are as humans,
we never fully understand to what extent we need a saving God.
Not all of Isaiah’s messages were bleak. Many references bring hope to the people of
Isaiah’s day, and hope to us as well.
“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.” Isaiah 43:18 (NIV)
Isn’t that just like us? Always dwelling on past mistakes; allowing
guilt to keep us from moving forward?
Isaiah relates God’s promise of help;
“For I am the Lord your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.” Isaiah 41:13 (NIV)
Surely if we serve a God willing to hold us up with His mighty hand, we
have no reason for fear. Most amazingly
of all, humans may sit on the frail end of the spectrum—but our Great God sits
on the other end of the spectrum! Isaiah
provides a glance at some of the amazing attributes of God.
“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.” Isaiah 40:28 (NIV)With reference to generations: “I, the LORD—with the first of them and with the last—I am he,” Isaiah 41:4 (NIV)“Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me. I, even I, am the LORD, and apart from me there is no savior.” Isaiah 43:10b-11 (NIV)
What an amazing God we serve. He
always was, He is, and He always will be.
He never gets tired. He is the
One who provides our salvation because our works are worthless and
insufficient.
Isaiah had a poignant question for the people to whom he prophesied. He asked, “Which of you will listen to this
or pay close attention in time to come?”
(42:23, NIV) I would submit this
is the very question we should be asking today!
The Great and Wonderful God who created all heavens and earth is
willing to save us and strengthen us with His own hand.
Who
will listen? Who will pay attention?
Respectfully written and
submitted by:
Dotty Willmon, Resurrection
Christian
