“Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken.” (v.10)
In today’s passage, Isaiah portrays the nation of Israel as a “barren woman” (v.1) Considering the shame attributed to being barren, the opening commands are very unusual: “Sing … burst into song, shout for joy” (v.1). Why should someone who is disgraced shout for joy? Despite this woman’s infertility, the passage contains a promise of great hope. She will not only be able to bare children, but also will need to “enlarge” her tent to accommodate all of her descendants (vv.2-3). What she experienced as shame and humiliation, will be transformed into abundance by a loving God (v.4).
In our passage, God refers to Himself as her “Maker,” “husband,” and “Redeemer” (v.5) Each of these roles is protective and intimate. Furthermore, God has chosen her for Himself. He has created her and saved her, elevating her to a place of great honor and worth.
Looking at this, we must be struck by the awareness that we are the unlikely recipients of this bounty. God loves us. Through Him, we experience both “deep compassion” (v.7) and “everlasting kindness” (v.8). Isaiah refers to the example of Noah. Although God may be angry at sin, He promises “unfailing love” to His people (v.10). The imagery at the end of this passage reinforces that idea. God will love us no matter what, even when the mountains shake and the hills are removed.
If you feel unworthy and unloved, remember that God sees you in a different light. He has promised deep compassion and everlasting kindness. He sees you as no one else does; He is your Creator, Redeemer, and King. His love for you is not dependent on your ability to perform well, and nothing you can do will shake God’s love.
The Truth: Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written: “For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.” Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:35-39)
In today’s passage, Isaiah portrays the nation of Israel as a “barren woman” (v.1) Considering the shame attributed to being barren, the opening commands are very unusual: “Sing … burst into song, shout for joy” (v.1). Why should someone who is disgraced shout for joy? Despite this woman’s infertility, the passage contains a promise of great hope. She will not only be able to bare children, but also will need to “enlarge” her tent to accommodate all of her descendants (vv.2-3). What she experienced as shame and humiliation, will be transformed into abundance by a loving God (v.4).
In our passage, God refers to Himself as her “Maker,” “husband,” and “Redeemer” (v.5) Each of these roles is protective and intimate. Furthermore, God has chosen her for Himself. He has created her and saved her, elevating her to a place of great honor and worth.
Looking at this, we must be struck by the awareness that we are the unlikely recipients of this bounty. God loves us. Through Him, we experience both “deep compassion” (v.7) and “everlasting kindness” (v.8). Isaiah refers to the example of Noah. Although God may be angry at sin, He promises “unfailing love” to His people (v.10). The imagery at the end of this passage reinforces that idea. God will love us no matter what, even when the mountains shake and the hills are removed.
If you feel unworthy and unloved, remember that God sees you in a different light. He has promised deep compassion and everlasting kindness. He sees you as no one else does; He is your Creator, Redeemer, and King. His love for you is not dependent on your ability to perform well, and nothing you can do will shake God’s love.
The Truth: Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written: “For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.” Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:35-39)
