Isaiah 40:27-29
Why do you complain, Jacob? Why do you say, Israel, “My way is hidden from the Lord; my cause is disregarded by my God”? Do you not know? Have you not heard? 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. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Isaiah 40:27-29 (NIV)
When was the last time you remember feeling like no one cared? I ask the last time because even my three year old (and I’d wager my one year old if he could talk) has thought no one cared about them or what they were doing. Now, that’s typically in the middle of some random game no one before or since has heard of while we (the parents) are just trying to clean the house, but I digress. The point is, like Jacob in the verse, we’ve all been there. Some moments it feels like even God doesn’t care.
Context for this passage seems important to me, as this chapter focuses on the Israelites who are in exile in Babylon with seemingly no hope. They’ve been away for so long that they’re starting to wonder if God even still cares about them. The prophet in this context reminds them that God is ever faithful, and he will be there for them. I think we often hear the phrase “his understanding no one can fathom” out of this context, but it fits anywhere you want in my opinion. God has a plan, and whatever corner of the universe you find yourself in, He knows you, your situation, and what he has in store.
Knowing that God cares and has a plan does not inherently make your current turmoil easy to accept. One empathizes with the Israelites who find themselves wondering just how long this plan will take to come to fruition. Just like the feeling that no one cares, I think we all can recognize in ourselves the impatience we can have in waiting for something we desire so deeply.
Let us, then, learn from the passage and the Israelites by remembering that God is with us. Like the story of Jesus on the beach, the single set of footprints are not ours alone, but Him carrying us through the turmoil. While we are weak, we have been given power through Him that died for our sins. God chose to come and experience the human condition through His son Jesus. That is just how much He loves and cares for us. Hallelujah! Amen.
Questions for Reflection:
- When was the last time you felt no one cared (big or small)?
- What helped you through those tough times?
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, we know that we will never be able to match your understanding. Forgive our weaknesses that blind us to Your faithfulness. Continue to give us the strength to persevere, and give us the voices to proclaim what You have done for us that the world will know You. Amen.
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