The Divine Plan, Restoring Israel to God
by Isabel Weathersby
Isaiah 49:8-15. Sing for joy, O heavens, and exult, O earth; break forth, O mountains, into singing! For the Lord has comforted his people, and will have compassion on his suffering ones.
In this passage from Isaiah, God is reaffirming his covenant with Israel through his “servant”. The Lord is assuring Israel that they will return home from the exile through a “wilderness”. And like the exodus from Egypt earlier, the Lord will provide for all their needs as they make their journey home to Jerusalem. He will be like a “shepherd” to his people. He will never forget them and always will be faithful.
This reminds me of another shepherd, the Good Shepherd, Jesus. In his ministry he exhorted the crowds to follow him and bring to him their burden and he would give them rest – rest for the soul; this all the while making his way to Jerusalem and the cross. Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s divine plan. As we contemplate this Lenten season what troubles/problems can you turn over to God? Why are you suffering? Remember, He is always there for us and always forgiving. He still provides for all our needs. Just turn over all your problems to him. God is love. That gives me peace and comfort.
The Lord is gracious and merciful; slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. The Lord is good to all, and his compassion is over all that he has made. Amen. Psalm 145: 8-9
Additional scriptures: Psalm 145: 8-19; John 5: 19-29