In this chapter, the Lord confirms He has chosen Israel and promises He is with them and will not throw them away. This is very interesting, considering the attack on Israel this week. Here’s the chapter in its entirety: “Listen in silence before me, you lands beyond the sea. Bring your strongest arguments. Come now and speak. The court is ready for your case.
“Who has stirred up this king from the east, who meets victory at every step? Who, indeed, but the Lord? He gives him victory over many nations and permits him to trample their kings underfoot. He puts entire armies to the sword. He scatters them in the wind with his bow. He chases them away and goes on safely, though he is walking over unfamiliar ground. Who has done such mighty deeds, directing the affairs of the human race as each new generation marches by? It is I, the Lord, the First and the Last. I alone am he.” (Yes, Lord!!!)
The lands beyond the sea watch in fear. Remote lands tremble and mobilize for war. They encourage one another with the words, “Be strong!” The craftsmen rush to make new idols. The carver hurries the goldsmith, and the molder helps at the anvil. “Good,” they say. “It’s coming along fine.” Carefully they join the parts together, then fasten the thing in place so it won’t fall over.
“But as for you, Israel my servant, Jacob my chosen one, descended from my friend Abraham, I have called you back from the ends of the earth so you can serve me. For I have chosen you and will not throw you away. Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. I will help you. I will uphold you with my victorious right hand." (Yes, Lord! God has chosen us! If the Lord is on our side, we never have to be in fear, for He is with us! Lord, thank you!!!)
"See, all your angry enemies lie there, confused and ashamed. Anyone who opposed you will die. You will look for them in vain. They will all be gone! I am holding you by your right hand – I, the Lord your God. And I say to you, ‘Do not be afraid. I am here to help you. Despised though you are, O Israel, don’t be afraid, for I will help you. I am the Lord, your Redeemer. I am the Holy One of Israel.’ You will be a new threshing instrument with many sharp teeth. You will tear all your enemies apart, making chaff of mountains. You will toss them in the air, and the wind will blow them all away; a whirlwind will scatter them. And the joy of the Lord will fill you to overflowing. You will glory in the Holy One of Israel." (Wow! This is the God I serve! He is holding us by our right hand, like a parent protects his or her child! Lord, you are amazing!)
When the poor and needy search for water and there is none, and their tongues are parched from thirst, then I, the Lord will answer them. I, the God of Israel, will never forsake them. I will open up rivers for them on high plateaus. I will give them fountains of water in the valleys. In the deserts they will find pools of water. Rivers fed by springs will flow across the dry, parched ground. I will plant trees – cedar, acacia, myrtle, olive, cypress, fir, and pine – on barren land. Everyone will see this miracle and understand that it is the Lord, the Holy One of Israel, who did it. (Yes, Lord!)
“Can your idols make such claims as these? Let them come and show what they can do!” says the Lord, the King of Israel. “Let them try to tell us what happened long ago or what the future holds. Yes, that’s it! If you are gods, tell what will occur in the days ahead. Or perform a mighty miracle that will fill us with amazement and fear. Do something, whether good or bad! But no! You are less than nothing and can do nothing at all. Anyone who chooses you becomes filthy, just like you!” (Lord, say it again!)
“But I have stirred up a leader from the north and east. He will come against the nations and call on my name, and I will give him victory over kings and princes. He will trample them as a potter treads on clay.” (Wow! Who is this leader from the north and the east? My mind originally went to the United States, considering what’s going on in Israel now, but we are west of Israel Who could this leader be?)
“Who but I have told you this would happen? Who else predicted this, making you admit that he was right? No one else said a word! I was the first to tell Jerusalem, ‘Look! Help is on the way!’ Not one of your idols told you this. Not one gave any answer when I asked. See, they are all foolish, worthless things. Your idols are all as empty as the wind.” (Isaiah 41) (Wow! Man and idols can’t do a thing for us!)
Lord, thank you for your Word today! Thank you for promising to always be with us and never forsake us! There is no need to ever be afraid, for you are forever with us, holding our hand, protecting us from all of our enemies. Lord, we love you!
May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace.” (Numbers 6:24-26)
….AND MAY WE ALL PRACTICE THIS WITH ONE ANOTHER.
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