I’ve probably, actually, no doubt, read this passage before, but this week, because of the recent events in my life, and because God knew I needed this message, I read Isaiah 46:3-4 as if I’d never heard it before.
Here’s what it says: “Listen to me, O house of Jacob, all you who remain of the house of Israel, you whom I have upheld since you were conceived, and have carried since your birth. Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you…. (verses 10-11) I am God, and there is none like me. I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, My purpose will stand, and Iwill do all that I please. From the east I summon a bird of prey; from a far-off land, a man to fulfill my purpose, what I have planned, that will I do.”
Wow! God’s sovereignty is made personal. That is what separates Christianity from the other religions. God cares about me, one individual in the vast panoply of generations from the beginning of the earth until his eternity. Imagine! Not only does he know me, intimately, because He created me–even, you abortionists– from conception. He has carried me (notice, active verb). Now, when I’m aging and my hair is gray, he sustains me (active verb.) He has made me (active verb) and He will carry me (active verb). Again He says he will sustain me, and finally He will rescue me (again, an action verb).
This passage reminds me of the 23rd Psalm.
“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for His Name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me. Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”
Imagine, at a time when a friend reminded me I am buying more sympathy cards than birthday cards, attending more funerals than parties, God sends me this special message through His eternal word, and I am once more convinced of His sovereignty, yet His attention to me, one of the least of His. It’s astounding. It’s awesome. It’s a miracle that He cares so much for me that He sent His Son Jesus to die. Can anyone imagine such grief for the Father? Nothing I have experienced or could experience can approach this fact: that God intimately knows grief in greater measure than we mortals could ever know. He grieves for those who do not acknowledge His place as ruler of the universe. He grieves that even His children, those who acknowledge and worship Him, are so sinful that we fail to live up to His expectations for us. He grieves that we carelessly treat his perfect creation, that we show contempt for His laws, that we mistreat and show prejudice toward His highest creation, other men, women, and children, made in His image. He grieves that we fail to take His message to the nations, and even to our families and neighbors because we might offend someone.
But the great truth is Paul’s message to the Romans: “In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:37-39)
And that about says it. Through His word, I am encouraged, and seek to encourage you, Dear Reader.
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