Topic: God’s Unending Love
Isaiah 49:15-19 speaks to the depth of God's love, unfailing presence and never-ending care. The prophet Isaiah uses the image of a mother and her child to help us understand the extent of God's devotion. It's a powerful image, isn't it? A mother's love for her child is one of the strongest bonds we know in human experience. Yet, God's love for us is even stronger, even more enduring.
As we continue to reflect on the words of Isaiah, we are drawn to the image of God's unfailing presence. This is a presence that is not passive or distant, but rather, active, involved and deeply invested in our lives.
Verse 15: Consider the phrase, “I will not forget you!” This is a powerful declaration of God's commitment to us. It is a promise that He will always be there, that He will never abandon us, that He will always remember us. This is a promise that is based on His character, not on our actions or our worthiness.
Verse 16: The phrase "your walls are continually before me" speaks to the constant and unchanging nature of God's presence. It is a reminder that God is always with us, that He is always watching over us, that He is always protecting us. This is a comforting and reassuring thought–especially in times of trouble or uncertainty.
Verse 17: The phrase "your destroyers and devastators will depart from you" speaks to the active and involved nature of God's presence. It is a reminder that God is not just a passive observer in our lives, but a dynamic participant. He is actively working in our lives, bringing about restoration and redemption.
Verse 18: We see that God's presence is not just a comforting thought, but a reality that we can depend on. The phrase "Lift up your eyes and look around” is a call to recognize and acknowledge God's presence in our lives. It is a call to see the evidence of His work, to see the fruit of His love, to see the fulfillment of His promises.
As we immerse ourselves in the divine truth of God's never-ending care, we find ourselves wrapped in a blanket of divine assurance. This assurance is not a fleeting feeling, but a solid rock on which we can stand. It's a promise that God's care for us is ceaseless, tireless and unending.
In the words of A.W. Tozer: "God never hurries. There are no deadlines against which He must work. Only to know this is to quiet our spirits and relax our nerves." This quote reminds us that God is never in a rush, never under pressure. He is always at work, always caring for us, even when we can't see it.
See You Sunday!
Dr. Scott Kallem