Who will listen?

Write From My Heart

August 12, 2020

Who will listen?

            What I have on my heart today is actually something I had written back in November 2016. Some of you may recognize it, yet it is so appropriate for today. Back in 2016, no one had any idea that COVID-19 would be here or that some would become so deathly ill because of it. Thankfully, according to statistics, most people recover as they do with flu and colds. But for some, the illness can be devastating. This must have been similar to King Hezekiah’s situation, whose illness is recorded 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. 

Isaiah 43:18 (NIV) Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.

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;

Isaiah 41:13 (NIV) 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.

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.

Isaiah 40:28 (NIV) 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. 

[With reference to generations]  Isaiah 41:4 (NIV) I, the LORD—with the first of them and with the last—I am he, 

Isaiah 43:10b-11 (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. 

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?