"The Lord will display his glory,
the splendor of our God.
With this news, strengthen those who have tired hands,
and encourage those who have weak knees.
Say to those with fearful hearts,
Be strong, and do not fear,
for your God is coming to destroy your enemies.
He is coming to save you.” Isaiah 35:2b-4
A desolate desert, no sign of vegetation, and no water for as far as the eye can see would send most of us into a panic and instill a fear within us that death awaits. In the book of Ezekiel and Isaiah 34 we read about God's disappointment in the behavior of his people and the wrath that awaits, but yet a gift of renewed hope is provided in Isaiah 35 for a future where rivers flow and vegetation even grows on mountains. God isn't going to give up on any of His people. His mercy is abundant. Life will be a beautiful place for future generations. The two images are on the opposite ends of the spectrum. One seems hopeless, and the other brings hope.
Each day we read about the tragedies, heartache, and evil that enters into our society. At times, it might seem much easier to just give up and feel there is nothing that can be done to change the world that we live in. But then something triggers something deep inside of us. (I believe it is the Holy Spirit at work.) Our Pastor's sermon today was so beautifully presented; with tears in her eyes, she talked about the Syrian children that are washing ashore as they flee from the evil and conflict of their home country. The parents of these children want a more desirable life for their children. They are willing to risk it all for the possibility of hope for a better life. Maybe now that the images of dead children washing ashore are surfacing, we the people of the world will open our eyes and ears that the Syrian people need help and hope.
I think every day we choose either to have hope or to be hopeless. It starts early in the morning when we rise. We can decide to dwell on all that is wrong in our lives in the coming day, or have a plan of hope that we can make a difference through our lives. These heartfelt verses from Isaiah remind us that hope is abundant. With God's help we can let go of fear and be strong because God is coming to destroy our enemies. Sometimes the enemy lies within us. The enemy that tells us we aren't good enough, aren't smart enough, aren't capable of making a difference, etc. But, God tells us this isn't true. We have His strength behind us to accomplish small things and together we can achieve great things. His work has to be done through us. We are His lights in this world. Lights of HOPE!
In an obscure way, hope is a lot like a disease. You can spread it around, and others will catch it. The more you care about making a difference, others will too. How does hope survive in a world where it seems hopelessness could easily become the next super bug? It survives and regenerates every time we share an act of kindness in the life of someone else. Journal how you spread hope through kindness in your own environments. You might be surprised how the smallest gifts of hope and kindness multiply in ways you have never dreamed. Don't be afraid for God is with you. That's His promise to each of us.
Tomorrow and every day, when we wake up, let's all choose to thread hope through our day. Let's count on God's promises that we have the strength to overcome the fears and enemies that tell us we can't make a difference.
Let us pray,
Gracious Heavenly Father,
Our hearts ache for those that face such evil and enemies in their lives. Help us to not only help fight these enemies, but also the enemies within us. Give us the aptitude to believe that with Your help, we will be a conduit of hope to others.
Amen
