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by Sandy Shaw
We are reading through Isaiah Chapter 49 – and I am writing from this passage because of two questions I asked God some months ago – and the initial answer came from these opening words in verse 8 – This is what the Lord says, “In the time of my favour I will answer you.”
God’s People had experienced extreme suffering, having been held captive in Exile in Babylon for around 70 years. God begins to say things to people who knew suffering – and people can say things about God which you could not say if you had not experienced suffering.
Verse 10 to 13 are strong reassuring words – and these people thought they had been forgotten and overlooked. Isaiah 40 verse 27
You will still have to go through the deserts and climb the hills and rugged mountains but God will be with you – providing for your need when you need such help.
Our God will provide, protect and guide.
Verse 15 – Can a mother forget? No. Not really – but it is possible.
“I will not forget you.” “Thank You Father for that promise – I will not forget you – make the reality of Your presence real to me this day.”
I have engraved you on the palms of My hands. Every time I look at My hands I see your name – so I can never forget you. And, when God sees the walls of Jerusalem He thinks of His people.
Verse 20 – As people came back to that land, the city was too small – and they had to build outside the city wall – and that happened over 100 years ago.
Isaiah goes on to speak in such a strong positive way, as God pours His words into his heart and mind.
Verse 23 - “Those who hope in ME will not be disappointed. And yet, it is as if the people are saying in their hearts – can anyone rescue us here in Babylon?
They thought the situation was too serious. They thought the situation was even out of God’s control and beyond God – and then God answers them and God replies. Yes, I will do what you think could not be done – so that people may know!
Chapter 50 – They were saying, it is as if God has divorced us, and God says, prove it! Show Me the certificate.
They were saying that God was so much in debt that He sold us into slavery. People say daft things at times!
No, no – it was not what I did – the fault is on your side. When I came to meet you there was no one there – verse 2 . When I called no one answered.
Was My Arm too short to reach you? No! Wherever you are today, do you think God’s Arm is too short to reach you? Do you think God will never come to help you – that God is unable to come to aid you in your predicament?
Our gracious compassionate caring God – our loving heavenly Father – sent Jesus into the world for just these very circumstances which go through our minds.
Do some think they have sunk too low to be reached by Jesus?
Do some consider that God is not strong enough to lift them up to where He wants them to be – rescuing them?
He come to rescue us not just from our situations and circumstances but from our sin and sins – sometimes it is because of our sin and sins that we have fallen and plummeted into these situations and circumstances – but with God there is a remedy – a cure – an answer – a solution – in other words, HELP!
We read verse 4 – Jesus has a word for the weary – wherever they are – no matter how sore or pained or dark their situation.
Jesus has a word – and sometimes all that is needed is a morsel of bread and a sip from his cup – a reassuring, helping, strengthening hand.
“Lord God, speak to Your people at this time wherever they might be – and in whatever condition and circumstances they find themselves – Reassure – Encourage – Strengthen – Satisfy. Hear our prayers for those who are down – for those who feel defeated – for those around this world who are persecuted for their faith in Jesus Christ. Lord – inspire and motivate us to pray – hear us in Jesus’ Name.” Amen.
Alexander 'Sandy' Shaw is pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship in Nairn, Scotland. Nairn is 17 miles east of Inverness - on the Moray Firth Coast - not far from the Loch Ness Monster!
Gifted as a Biblical teacher, Sandy is firmly committed to making sure that his teachings are firmly grounded in the Word.
Sandy has a weekly radio talk which can be heard via the Internet on Saturday at 11:40am, New Orleans time, at wsho.com.
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