March 16, 2001
"Though you were ruined and made desolate and your land laid waste,
now you will be too small for your people, and those who devoured you will be far away.
I will contend with those who contend with you, and your children I will save. "
Isaiah 49:19, 25
This was an incredible promise for the Israelite's; though their land was ruined and desolate God would replenish the land, not only restoring her original beauty but he would go far beyond that. It is hard for me to imagine this - a land that's brown, dry, scorched and devoid of life being made lush and alive again. This isn't something that just happens - it is the fruit of much labor, long hours, love, care, a toiling over the land and the people. This helps me to see God so much more clearly. I can confidently know that when I go through times where I feel that through circumstance I have been made 'desolate', that God is the author of life and he is my protector; he promises in verse 25, he will deal with those who have brought these things about. I can put my energy into clinging to him, understanding his heart - knowing and believing that he will 'restore' my life, not just the beauty that he always intended but that he will do so much more it will be beyond my comprehension!!
"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine,
according to his power that is at work within us."
-- Ephesians 3:20