I’m not sure I would want a god that I had to carry around. That doesn’t sound all that appealing. Certainly not very powerful! Our God, on the other hand, is powerful and very much involved in our lives. “I have cared for you since you were born. Yes, I carried you before you were born. I will be your God throughout your lifetime—until your hair is white with age.”
I think, too, of the beautiful image created in the poem “Footprints.” If you’re not familiar with that, imagine your life as a stroll on the beach. You see two sets of footprints in the sand as you are walking with God. Then, during the challenging times of your life, you see only one set of footprints and wonder why God would abandon you. He was carrying you, the one set of footprints belonged to the Lord. That’s the kind of God I want!
This is not the first time we’ve heard about idols with this tirade in Second Isaiah (chapter 40 and following). These prophecies are coming to the Israelites during the time of their captivity in Babylon. They are surrounded by idols, the false gods of the Babylonians.
What we are seeing in the opening scene here is a procession. Imagine a mardi gras type parade only with worshippers lining the streets as the gods are marched through town. Did you notice what is happening to the poor animals hauling them around. Oxen are strong beasts, but they are having a hard time pulling this load. Curious to note, these gods can’t even save themselves. They need to be carted around. How can the people take refuge in that? The words spoken here are from our God, “I made you, and I will care for you. I will carry you along and save you.” Those are words you can count on. The Israelites need only remember who made them and forget about these man-made idols.
The Israelites had to be so confused. They had been hauled away themselves to Babylon. Who knows what kind of life they had there in captivity. I’m not supposing it was pleasant. But to fit in, they were likely encouraged strongly to follow the rituals and adopt the beliefs of the Babylonians. God’s message to them then is this: “Remember the things I have done in the past. For I alone am God! I am God, and there is none like me.”
They needed to keep their memories alive. Their loved ones who had lived in the land of Judah and followed God would have the responsibility of passing along the traditions they needed to help them remember. What sorts of traditions do you embrace to help you remember God and what he has done for you?
For so many years, I struggled with traditions in the church I didn’t understand. It was hard for me to do the same things over and over. Rather than letting the repetition speak to my spirit, it would send me into a place of indifference. I know many people were totally enamored with traditions and rituals. I always felt like God was new to me every day. I didn’t need rituals and traditions to help me remember.
For those who are separated from God, remembrances are helpful. For so many more people who have never known God or understood that he has been carrying them, we need more than just remembrances. That’s the time we should share our own stories, our testimonies of how God has worked in our lives. It’s easier to believe someone whom you know and trust rather than some old tradition that seems outdated. How are you sharing your faith story with others?
God knew the Israelites would be lost and feeling abandoned. He wanted to reintroduce himself and give them hope. “For I am ready to set things right, not in the distant future, but right now!” When we are lost in despair, it’s easy to have one pity party after another. When we get caught in the cycle of negativity, it’s often hard to get out. Hope is what we need in those moments. Hope.
Here are some verses to help you find hope in your time of adversity.
Hebrews 10:23: “Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise.”
Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”
Romans 8:25: “But if we look forward to something we don’t yet have, we must wait patiently and confidently.”
No matter what you are going through right now – remember your God is carrying you!
Let’s pray … Lord, I thank you for the comfort of your loving arms in these uncertain times. I will rest in you and your tender mercy. Help me to see where I can do the most good. Direct my paths so that I can share my story. People need you. I need you. Draw me closer today. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
