God will never abandon us

By Dean Collins

Seventy years is a long time—especially if you are displaced or in exile. The book of Isaiah is rich in its descriptions of ‘the suffering servant.’ You may have heard sermons or read devotionals, including mine, of the suffering of Jesus ahead of his glorious resurrection that we celebrated just a week ago. We know from scripture that as followers of Christ, our discipleship includes sharing in Christ’s suffering. 

In chapter 12 of Isaiah, we find a passage that contains a key teaching of the book of Isaiah. Isaiah tells us to look and see that our salvation comes from God. And when we turn to him with full trust we do not have to fear. Instead of fear we can experience hope and strength.

Isaiah 51 describes a moment when the people of Israel will finally return from their years of exile in Babylon. The prophet describes what it will look and sound like as Israel journeys back to Jerusalem. There will be singing songs of praise and celebration because of the Lord’s deliverance. It is important to note that the text describes the journey of deliverance and the anticipation of the full recovery and restoration of God’s people, but as they sing and celebrate they will not yet have experienced the finished product. Jerusalem still sat in ruins. The temple had not yet been rebuilt. And of course, the Messiah of God would not arrive until centuries later.

Isaiah 51 opens reminding the people of God to look back to their origin story: “Look to the rock from which you were hewn…look to Abraham your father and to Sarah who bore you.” As the Hebrew pilgrims consider Abraham and Sarah, they are to remember how God has provided through the centuries and to consider that just as God did miracles in their ancient past, he can and will do whatever it takes to bring his beloved children to see and experience his deliverance again and one day for eternity.

The words of Isaiah 51, while first intended for Israel as they returned to Jerusalem, also apply to us as disciples of Jesus. We have the victory that comes to us through the cross and the resurrection, but until Jesus returns in glory to restore all things we will also have seasons where we must trust the promises of scripture found in Isaiah and elsewhere.

Isaiah tells us that when we bow down in full surrender to God we do not have to fear men, and that God will provide all that we need on our journey. Consider Isaiah’s words of promise:

“He who is bowed down shall speedily be released; he shall not die and go down to the pit, neither shall his bread be lacking. I am the Lord your God, who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar — the Lord of hosts is his name. And I have put my words in your mouth and covered you in the shadow of my hand…”

We do not die. We live forever.
We shall not be lacking God’s provision.
Our God who has the power to stir the oceans will also cover us with his hand of protection.

Jesus told his followers that we would experience suffering and hard times as we do his kingdom work. But Isaiah’s words, along with the promises of Jesus both before and after his death, assure us that we are not alone. Consider these promises of Jesus given to the disciples just hours ahead of Jesus’s death:

“And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.” (14:3)

“Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” (14:13)

“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever.” (14:16)

“I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.” (14:18)

“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” (14:26-27)

The resurrection of Jesus gives us confidence that all of God’s promises are true. Just as our faith gives us assurance that our sins are forgiven and that we have the gift of eternal life, we can now trust that God will provide for our every need, no matter the severity of the obstacles ahead of us. God will never abandon us but will grant us peace and even joy as we continue our journey here on earth and as we anticipate the glory of his presence in eternity.

Father, thank you for the words of Isaiah that remind us that you are a promise keeper. Thank you for the words of Jesus who told us that the Holy Spirit would come and would be with us every day and in every step of our journey. Thank you for the comfort we have knowing that you will be with us all the way through all suffering we have in our lifetimes. Because you live, we can truly face today and tomorrow, knowing that you prepared the way for us and will walk with us even until we see you in eternity. We praise you and thank you! In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Your Time with God’s Word
Isaiah 12:1-2; Isaiah 51:1-3, 11-16; John 14:3, 13, 16, 18, 26-27 ESV

Photo by Priscilla Du Preez 🇨🇦 on Unsplash
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