January 11, 2001
"Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress" --Isaiah 9:1
Isaiah chapter 8 closes with Isaiah's prophecy to both Israel and Judah of the punishment they will experience because of their refusal to trust God and instead to lean on Assyria for strength. Verses 21-22 indicate it will be an utter darkness worse than anything they can imagine. The specific language is used to conjure up images of a driving tempest... the worst and most graphic pictures of doom & gloom. Indeed what they experienced at the hands of Assyria (2 Kings 17:5-6) was worse than anything they'd experienced before.
What is amazing and humbling to me is that in the middle of this, in a time when Israel is trying God's patience (Is 7:13) by their refusal to trust him, he is just and metes out a punishment BUT his heart is never to destroy his people. At a moment that must've wounded his heart deeply he gives his people hope. The prophecy that he gives at this time is about the GREATEST expression of his love... that he will send his own son to provide light for their darkness and will shatter the yoke that holds them captive.
This helps me to understand and be at peace with God in the moments when I know I'm not at my best - it helps me to keep a right perspective on God & his love and it also serves as a powerful reminder on how to treat others. To give into frustration and impatience with people when they fall short is so unlike him. What is like God is to express love in the GREATEST most powerful way at that time.