Isaiah 49

Isaiah 49:23 NIV

Kings will be your foster fathers,
and their queens your nursing mothers.
They will bow down before you with their faces to the ground;
they will lick the dust at your feet.
Then you will know that I am the Lord ;
those who hope in me will not be disappointed."

This chapter is a message of encouragement and hope. Israel has been told that they will be judged. They are discouraged. Things are not going well. The question that comes to mind is: Where is God?

They are God's chosen people, but it certainly doesn't feel that way to them at the moment. They feel abandoned, rejected, hopeless, helpless and worthless. God's assurance in this chapter is that none of that is true. They may be disciplined, but they are not rejected and abandoned. Even if a nursing mother could abandon her child God will never abandon Israel. They may experience scattering and destruction, but they are not helpless and hopeless. God will exalt them in the eyes of all the nations. Kings will stand in their honor. They may feel worthless, being despised and abhorred by others, but God will restore them and swell their numbers to such an extent that they won't have enough room to contain all the people. He will make them great.

Sometimes hoping in God feels pointless. Sometimes is feels as if God is not there at all. But that's the lie. God loves his people. His discipline is not an act of rejection but an expression of love. God will keep his word and honor his chosen ones. That's the truth.

Father, forgive me for the times that in my frustration, fear and emotional stress I have given in to the lie. Thank you that you have given us your word; you will never abandon your own. I stand on that promise and look anxiously for your redemption.

By His grace,
Rick weinert