May 9, 2014
Today’s reading from Encounter with God

Hope for the Desolate

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Opening Prayer

Living God, let me be content and rejoice with who I am, what You have done through me, and You.

Read Isaiah 54:1-17

[1] “Sing, barren woman, you who never bore a child; burst into song, shout for joy, you who were never in labor; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband,” says the LORD. [2] “Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes. [3] For you will spread out to the right and to the left; your descendants will dispossess nations and settle in their desolate cities. [4] “Do not be afraid; you will not be put to shame. Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated. You will forget the shame of your youth and remember no more the reproach of your widowhood. [5] For your Maker is your husband- the LORD Almighty is his name- the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; he is called the God of all the earth. [6] The LORD will call you back as if you were a wife deserted and distressed in spirit- a wife who married young, only to be rejected,” says your God. [7] “For a brief moment I abandoned you, but with deep compassion I will bring you back. [8] In a surge of anger I hid my face from you for a moment, but with everlasting kindness I will have compassion on you,” says the LORD your Redeemer. [9] “To me this is like the days of Noah, when I swore that the waters of Noah would never again cover the earth. So now I have sworn not to be angry with you, never to rebuke you again. [10] Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the LORD, who has compassion on you. [11] “Afflicted city, lashed by storms and not comforted, I will rebuild you with stones of turquoise, your foundations with lapis lazuli. [12] I will make your battlements of rubies, your gates of sparkling jewels, and all your walls of precious stones. [13] All your children will be taught by the LORD, and great will be their peace. [14] In righteousness you will be established: Tyranny will be far from you; you will have nothing to fear. Terror will be far removed; it will not come near you. [15] If anyone does attack you, it will not be my doing; whoever attacks you will surrender to you. [16] “See, it is I who created the blacksmith who fans the coals into flame and forges a weapon fit for its work. And it is I who have created the destroyer to wreak havoc; [17] no weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and this is their vindication from me,” declares the LORD.

Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright &copy 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.&reg Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Reflect

“Tell me how much you know of the sufferings of others and I will tell you how much you have loved them” (Helmut Thielicke, 1908-1986). Love is more than a feeling, it is doing!

Childless women and widows have often been forced to the margins of society. A society where they experience poverty and insecurity, even reproach, can be transformed when such women are given opportunities for secure housing, respected employment and social integration. Assisting women to find such dignity is a priority of community development work across the world.

Here, the desolate city of Zion is likened to such women, but the mood is upbeat rather than somber. Disgrace, shame, humiliation, reproach–outcomes of their temporary abandonment by God–are almost at an end. Their future is full of hope. Their history of long-term barren women who eventually became mothers of the nation would have been a reminder to these bereft people that miracles do occur (Gen. 21:1,2; 25:21; 30:22-24). They were to prepare with joyful expectation for national expansion and consolidation. Their sense of being abandoned would be replaced by reconciliation with their covenant God. In a foreshadowing of the heavenly Zion (Rev. 21:10,11,18-21), their ravaged city would be magnificently rebuilt. A new society would be created based on God’s teaching. We can observe the impact of many kinds of desolation all around us. Sometimes people’s actions and attitudes towards others and God have led to their physical, social or emotional distress, but often this distress is brought about by the unintended and unexpected circumstances of life. For some, the literal provision of posterity or property would be life-transforming. Others will yearn for more dignity, security and peace in their troubled lives. The God who had compassion on desolate Zion is still able to bring hope to those who feel forsaken. Sometimes God even uses us to provide appropriate tangible responses to meet the deepest of human needs.

Apply

Think of someone you know (or know about) who needs hope today. What practical expression of God’s caring love can you offer them? Do it!

Closing prayer

Loving Lord, so often I enjoy the perks and company of the prominent, rather than serving the desperately needy. Today, Your Word reminds me of Your priorities. Give me a servant heart.

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