Day 199,
Chronological Bible Study
Timeline. Map. Go to today’s Bible reading (use your browser arrow to return): Isaiah 43–46
Is God With Us?
Where is God? This is usually the question people ask when they are in trouble or trapped by circumstances. Sometimes, God seems hidden, silent, or unavailable. Is he with us? Today’s Bible study will help come up with answers.
In our chronological Bible reading, we have seen Israel cast out of the Promised Land and in exile for her sins. Judah, her sister nation, follows in her tracks, and within 100 years, she would suffer a similar fate. God comforts his people by telling them not to fear, for even in their punishment, he's with them.
The LORD will not forget his people
He knows where they are staying and the pain and struggles they are experiencing. When the time is right, and they have learned their lesson, the punishment would be over. God would then restore their relationship to him and their land. The prophet Isaiah gives this message to Israel:
But now, thus says the LORD, your Creator, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel, “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine! When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, Nor will the flame burn you. For I am the LORD your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Savior” (Isaiah 43:1-3, NIV).
Isaiah 40-66 was a message of hope, especially for those in exile. The LORD would again re-gather them to their homeland if they, in their grief, would turn from their sins to God.
Sometimes, like Israel and Judah, we Christians walk away from God and become rebellious. If we do this, we can expect to be punished—what good parent does not discipline his children for their disobedience?
What happens afterwards? Is God done with us? Are we cast away forever? No. Even though we may go through troublesome times, he's still with us and has plans for us. The LORD is ready to accept us back into his loving arms when we repent and return to him. After we are restored, God will bless us once again. He's faithful to us as he was to Israel.
While Israel is in exile, God promises to gather and return them to their land (Isaiah 43:4-7). What? How can this be possible? A nation that has been conquered doesn't return to its homeland—it loses it. But God is Sovereign over all kingdoms and can do as he wills.
God wants his people to make a new start
First, however, they must be sorry and grieve over their sins. No more depending on worthless idols that cannot see, hear, or speak! They are lifeless, dead, a mere shaping of a block of wood or metal. Unlike the LORD, they can't tell them the future or deliver them from trouble. When the Israelites turn from their idols to the LORD, he would come to their aid. Their deliverance from exile was assured, but repentance was required!
Israel came into exile believing, just like the other nations, their man-made Gods could save them. But there is only one true God. The LORD is Sovereign, Almighty, loving, and faithful to keep his promises. Relying on lifeless idols made by men is idiotic—they can't save anyone.
On whom or what do we rely? Can any of these things save us? The LORD says,
“Remember these things, O Jacob, for you are my servant, O Israel. I have made you, you are my servant; O Israel, I will not forget you. I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist. Return to me, for I have redeemed you.” (Isaiah 44:21-22, NIV)
Return to the LORD
If we've strayed from God, the call to us is the same as the call to Israel: Remember me and return to me, for I have redeemed you (1Peter 1:17-19; Revelation 2:5)The LORD knows everything, even the future. God predicts that Cyrus (the future king of the Medes and Persians) would make a proclamation. He would “say of Jerusalem, ‘Let it be rebuilt,’ and of the temple, ‘Let its foundations be laid’” (Isaiah 44:28, NIV). He names the king who will do this, although he would not yet be born for many years.
Who but the true God can predict these things and fulfill them? This is not some mystic prediction with symbolic meaning. These things literally happened 150 years later. Wow! If God predetermines the course for the Israelites, he can also decide the course of our lives. If we're guilty of sin, we can return to the Lord, repent of any evil, and completely rely on him.
On that day (after their exile), a remnant of Israel would be saved. In the coming day, after the Great Tribulation period, known as the time of Jacob’s trouble (Jeremiah 30:7), all Israelites will be saved.
The invitation of Isaiah to Israel is now extended to us. The LORD says, “Turn to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other” (Isaiah 45:22, NIV).
Someday, all people will bow before the greatness of God. In the meantime, the LORD says to Israel, “I am he; I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you” (Isaiah 45:4b, NIV). The same God who sustained Israel in times of trouble will sustain us.
Endnote: The Great Tribulation is a time of judgment upon the earth and its people. It occurs in the last days of the world as we know it. See Revelation 6-21.
Discussion
If God seems hidden, silent, or unavailable, is he still with us? What might be wrong?
How can we get back in God’s good graces? How can we make a new start with God?
Are we experiencing hard times? How can God help us?
Focus Verse
Isaiah 45:22 (NIV) “Turn to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other.”
Write a private prayer response to today’s Bible study:
Please send your comments to me, Rod, the author
Looking Ahead: Peace is not found in things or ideal circumstances. Where can Ultimate Peace be found?
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