Daily Lectionary: Isaiah 40:18-41:10; Revelation 8:1-13
“Why do you say, O Jacob, and speak, O Israel: 'My way is hidden from the LORD, and my just claim is passed over by my God?" (Isaiah 40:27)
Ever thought that yourself? Good. At least I know I'm not alone. You try your best. Do your darnedest. Give it your all. You even trust in God. But still, things go wrong. They don't turn out as you had planned. You come up short. You disappoint others. You even let yourself down. Why? Does God not see? Does He not care? Can He not help?
Oh, my friend! “Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable” (Isaiah 40:28). What a comfort. You just can't trace out God's understanding. So, don't even try. It'll only leave you frustrated and angry with God. And that's no good. For God is your heavenly Father. Jesus says so. His cross says so. His Word says so. His Washing says so. His Supper says so. And that settles it! God's Fatherly, divine goodness and mercy will always follow you, and you will dwell in the Lord's house forever (Psalm 23:6), even if you can't always search or trace out such promises in your life right now.
What good news for those whose lives are filled with things that often confuse, hurt, or leave them baffled and wondering! God isn’t sleeping on the job, as you fear. He's everlasting — He never wears out. He's the Creator of the ends of the earth — He's always in control, no matter where you are or what happens. And He never faints or grows weary — all your ways, whatever it is that is going on with you right now, is all a huge concern to Him. Yes, He sometimes allows grief and sorrow into your life, but never apart from His big Fatherly heart (Romans 8:28). No, you won't always be able to trace out such Love and Wisdom in your life. You won't always be able to see it, or connect all the dots. But it's there. God says so.
That's where faith comes in. Faith, given and strengthened by God's forgiveness — spoken over us in His Word, washed over us at His Font, fed into us at His Altar — trusts that Father knows best, that God is always at work in all things for our good. “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5). Your own understanding will not hold you up when life knocks you down. But your Father will!
“For the Lord will not cast off forever. Though He causes grief, yet He will show compassion according to the multitude of His mercies. For He does not afflict willingly, nor grieve the children of men” (Lamentations 3:31-33).
Why? He's your Father! He's always on that job for you, because of Jesus!