I closed the last meditation with reference to the end of Isaiah 40, as a hint to remind us of that most awesome and well known passage in Isaiah, that “Those who wait on / hope in the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary.” Though it is easily overlooked, this passage maintains a theme from Isaiah 40 - that of God (and the people of God) preparing a way or a pathway in the midst of difficult circumstances. Here, encouragement extends to the weary, the tired, to one who lacks might, even to vigorous young men who stumble badly.
In Isaiah 41 we find a beautiful poetic passage which once again reaches out to those in desperate circumstances … “The afflicted and needy are seeking water, but there is none, and their tongue is parched with thirst.” And the awesome response from God, “I the Lord, will answer them myself.” Wow! But what does this mean for the thirsty ones, and for those of us who desire to be in the movement of God in this world? It means that God creates ministry to meet the needs of people, and we his people want to be a part of that creative work.
The poetic imagery of this passage (41:17-20) continues the themes of Isaiah 40, including references to the bare heights, the valleys, the wilderness, the dry land and the desert. The life giving work of God is represented in these places by rivers, springs, pools and fountains, and a variety of trees including the cedar, the olive, the box tree and the cypress, even the pine!
The work of God in dry places is a testament to his character, love and goodness, “That they may see and recognize, and consider and gain insight ... that the hand of the Lord has done this, and the Holy One of Israel has created it.” In the context of people and relationships, I take this to mean that God is creating ministry, and I want to be a part of this creative work.
In Isaiah 41 we find a beautiful poetic passage which once again reaches out to those in desperate circumstances … “The afflicted and needy are seeking water, but there is none, and their tongue is parched with thirst.” And the awesome response from God, “I the Lord, will answer them myself.” Wow! But what does this mean for the thirsty ones, and for those of us who desire to be in the movement of God in this world? It means that God creates ministry to meet the needs of people, and we his people want to be a part of that creative work.
The poetic imagery of this passage (41:17-20) continues the themes of Isaiah 40, including references to the bare heights, the valleys, the wilderness, the dry land and the desert. The life giving work of God is represented in these places by rivers, springs, pools and fountains, and a variety of trees including the cedar, the olive, the box tree and the cypress, even the pine!
The work of God in dry places is a testament to his character, love and goodness, “That they may see and recognize, and consider and gain insight ... that the hand of the Lord has done this, and the Holy One of Israel has created it.” In the context of people and relationships, I take this to mean that God is creating ministry, and I want to be a part of this creative work.