Isaiah’s Encouragement - Part  1                                                                                     G - 1

 

Before we start reading from the book of Isaiah, chapter 49, verse 9, would you do something that might seem a little strange?  Take 10 seconds and slowly and lightly rub the back of your hand.  Now repeat for 10 seconds but slowly and lightly rub the palm of your hand.  Keep in mind what you felt as you begin to read this!

I will say to the prisoners: “Come out!” …  and to those in darkness: “Show yourselves.”

If you feel like a prisoner today, wandering in darkness, here is a promise God’s is making to you right now!

 

They shall not hunger or thirst, nor scorching wind or sun strike them, for he who has compassion on them will guide them and lead them beside springs of water. 

What a great promise!  Sounds like God is planning a vacation for you, a vacation spiritually and mentally.  Picture it!

 

I will make all my mountains into a path, and my highways shall be raised up.

No more climbing or steep drop-offs, no fears about damage during disaster times! 

 

Behold these shall come from afar, some from the north and the west.  Sing for joy, O heavens; Rejoice, O earth, burst into song!  For the Lord comforts his people and shows compassion to his afflicted.

God’s heart for us is that our hearts will want to SING and REJOICE, rather than dwell in fear, loneliness, and darkness!

What?  I am invited to burst into singing and rejoicing!  How do I do this?

But Zion (some people) said,” The Lord has forsaken me, my Lord has forgotten me.”

Can a woman forget her nursing child or have no compassion on the son of her womb?  Even if she may forget I will not forget you,
See I have engraved you on the palms of my hands …”.

 

A human probably knows what the back of their hand looks like.  But a human notices and feels the sensation in the palm of their hand immediately!  Remember this encouragement:  YOU are written in a special place that God can’t help but notice!

 

1) Finally, describe the “feeling” when you gently rub the back, and then the palm, of your hand.

2) What is the difference between “prisoners” and “those in darkness”?  Could a king, or wealthy businessperson, be in darkness? 

3) Who is “He who has compassion on them”? 

4) Where is this compassionate person leading us to? 

5) Will “others” come also to enjoy this care? 

6) Can we also “sing for joy”? 

7) His dual work as described here is to give us both comfort and compassion.  Does this sound like a far-off God, or a personal near-to-us God? 

8) Can our Creator ever forget about us?