I have never forgotten you - 16 December 2008
This is what the LORD says: "Where is your mother's certificate of divorce with which I sent her away? Or to which of my creditors did I sell you? Because of your sins you were sold; because of your transgressions your mother was sent away. When I came, why was there no one? When I called, why was there no one to answer? Was my arm too short to ransom you? Do I lack the strength to rescue you? By a mere rebuke I dry up the sea, I turn rivers into a desert; their fish rot for lack of water and die of thirst. I clothe the sky with darkness and make sackcloth its covering."
Who then will bring charges against me? Let us face each other! Who is my accuser? Let him confront me! It is the Sovereign LORD who helps me. Who is he that will condemn me? They will all wear out like a garment; the moths will eat them up. Who among you fears the LORD and obeys the word of his servant? Let him who walks in the dark, who has no light, trust in the name of the LORD and rely on his God. Isaiah 50:1-10 [NIV]
When a crisis in your life has passed, and you’ve begun to get over the worst of the trauma, there is still a deep dark lump lying hard in your stomach. You ache to know why. Why did God forsake me? Why wasn’t he there in my need? I know he loves me so much. I know he has not forgotten me – at least I know in my head. But my heart feels heavy. God still seems so far from me. Does he really, really care?
God himself challenges those questions. At least once in human history a man spoke from God and said:
This is what the LORD says: "Where is your mother's certificate of divorce with which I sent her away? Or to which of my creditors did I sell you?”
A word to his people, and if we are Christians, a word to us too: ‘I told you long ago that you are my people and I am your God; I made a covenant with you to that effect. It is like we are married. So where is the evidence of a divorce? Have I sent you away or tried to sell you into slavery?’ Answer, NO!... A thousand times, NO! ... ‘Do you get it?’ God seems to say. ‘You may have sinned, you may have pushed Me away, it may just be circumstances or another’s sin that have created your problems now – but have I forgotten you? Never!’ Don’t ever be under any illusion, he seems to say, ‘I promised to love you and I never, ever break My word’, – even if we do.
Sometimes we need that chiding. But read it again, and be comforted. Suffering is terrible, problems may never seem to end, but God does not lack – not in any way. Be encouraged and walk in the dark if you have no light now, trust in the name of the Lord. v10.
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