Isaiah 40: Beyond Self
Saturday, August 20, 2022
Isaiah again today, and it is the chapter which begins the second half of the prophecy – often referred to as the Book of Consolation. The words remind us also of chapters 38 through 42 of Job when God speaks to his loyal yet questioning servant.
Like Job, we also may have questions for the creator of the universe, questions about his plan for us, his plan for others, questions about how God expects so many diverse elements can possibly come together in peaceful union. Today’s citation tells us that we need not fret about how God’s plan will be accomplished. It tells us that if we place our hope in God, all that is inscrutable will be made plain to us. Isaiah asks: Do you not know? Have you not heard? Was it not foretold you form the beginning? Have you not understood?
Our spirit is captured in human vessels, struggling to break free, to soar above the ugly parts of this life; and yet in all of our struggle for release we forget that we have already been ransomed, as we spent time reflecting yesterday. Do you not know or have you not heard? The Lord is the eternal God, creator of the ends of the earth. Today’s words are a reminder that we are not meant to struggle alone.
When we present to God daily our list of petitions that beg for miracles . . . God does not faint or grow weary.
When we are confounded by the duplicity and complexity if darkness . . . God’s knowledge is beyond scrutiny.
In all of our turmoil, all of our tears, all of our anxiety . . . God gives strength to the fainting.
In the darkest hours, in the deepest mourning, in the depths of despair . . . God makes vigor abound.
Wherever we are wrung out, exhausted, at wit’s end, beyond recovery and when we stagger and fall, they that hope in the Lord will renew their strength, they will soar as with eagles’ wings; they will run and not grow weary, walk and not grow faint.
There is always joy beyond our imaginings. There is always strength beyond our human power. This is what makes us divine . . . in that we acknowledge this divinity and allow ourselves to be drawn to it. Once we step out of self, empty self, and allow God in, then we too have knowledge beyond scrutiny, strength beyond fainting, and joy beyond tears.
Image from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Creation_of_Adam
A Favorite from July 3, 2009.
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