Isaiah 55
8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord.9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
10 As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,11 so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
Good morning. With flood waters receding and international tensions rising, many understandably rise this morning feeling exhausted. A great many others beset by terrible disease or profound loss awake fatigued at the thought of getting through another day. And it doesn't help matters that one's physical and spiritual "gas mileage" seems to get worse with age.
I often envy the fuel efficiency demonstrated by the kids at my church. It easily surpasses the best hybrid-cars on the road today. They could literally run all day before showing the first signs of exhaustion. They would gladly sing the same three or four VBS songs a thousand times in a row before displaying any hint of fatigue. Meanwhile, most adults count themselves lucky to make it eight to ten hours before needing to rest and refuel.
So how do we as aging adults ensure our tanks of faith stay filled? If our tanks drain quicker the more we age, then it only makes sense to locate a fuel source that is readily available. In Isaiah 55, the Creator of universe proclaims to be the ultimate energy source at all times and in all places. Moreover, Isaiah 55 speaks of a Creator that will not permit any part of his creation to stay empty, nor allow any syllable of His word to go unfulfilled.
When one's faith runs low, Isaiah 55 stresses the importance of perspective on the part of the believer. Despite our quest to know everything, Isaiah 55 makes it clear that the collective genius and achievements of mankind down through the ages doesn't even begin to scratch the surface of what God knows and what God has done. Therefore, a believer's confidence is restored when he or she realizes that God understands what is going on and that God will do something about it.
When one's love is on fumes, Isaiah 55 emphasizes the significance of production. Whether in nature or in us, Isaiah 55 states plainly that God never creates in vain. Just as the rain does not flounder in growing crops, neither does God create opportunities for forgiveness we might believe are certain to fail. Just as the wheat kernel does not fail to produce bread, neither does God produce occasions for reconciliation we may think are destined for catastrophe. Subsequently, a believer's strength returns when he or she recognizes that what God creates never results in nothing.
When one's hope is scrapping the bottom of the barrel, Isaiah 55 underscores the importance of purpose. It is here that Isaiah 55 makes the starkest contrast between us and God. Mankind makes their plans, while God achieves His purposes. No matter what successes our plans achieve, they will always pale in comparison to the victory accomplished by God's purposes. Regardless of how long our plans endure, they will never outlast God's purposes. Consequently, a believer's zeal is renewed when he or she integrates their plans into God's purposes.
So this week when instances of chaos deplete our confidence, let us hold to the perspective that God is aware and in control. Should moments of futility drain our strength, let us trust that our efforts toward peace and unity will eventually bud and flourish. And may we always find our fulfillment in the pursuit of God's purposes even in times we find ourselves running on empty.
CJE