Thoughts for another day

April 19, 2013.

Today's verse: Is. 52:12. For ye shall not go out with haste, nor go by flight: for the LORD will go before you; and the God of Israel will be your rearward. (KJV)

(Pls. read the above before you read further.  Thanks)

The background in which our above verse is written is that the Israelites are in exile and they are to return to Israel for that is what God has decreed for them.  But returning can be a daunting task due to the inherent dangers involved on the road back.  Moreover, the Israelites are a beaten people at this time and they also need to travel through enemy territory and many are their enemies because they worship the God of heaven and earth and are not to bend and bow to anyone else.

God, through Isaiah the prophet, assures them that they will not move out of Babylon in haste or in flight due to fear but will have a steady exit.  God further promises them that He will be before them and after them.  Reading this, I feel the goodness of the Lord even as I remember the various atrocities the Israelites had committed on Him; how they rejected and threw Him out of their homes and lives.  Yet, He, the merciful and gracious God has already forgotten their insults.  He remembers the covenant with Abraham and He sets about bringing His chosen people, into their own land, which He Himself had dedicated to them. 

How is this relevant to us?   We must remember the goodness of God in what we see Him doing for the Israelites.  And I think, if God can do such great things for the Jews before Jesus came, how much more will He do for us who follow His Son Jesus having placed our trust in Him and seeing that Jesus Himself has made us so many promises of protection, piety and prosperity.  In all things, we’re more than conquerors through His Son and our Father knowing that, will do even greater things for us for we have believed His glorious work in His Son Jesus Christ and accepted Jesus as God and Savior.  Rest awhile in Him and He will guide you toward higher places and lead you to His Kingdom.