Do we call upon the LORD?
Isaiah 43
Isaiah was one of the great prophets of the Bible, who, towards the end of the 8th century BC, carried our his prophetic ministry in Jerusalem. During his ministry, Samarai fell at the hands of the Assyrians in 722 BC. As a result, Judah also came under direct threat from the Assyrians (Is. 36-37). But, with the help of the LORD, Judah was spared this time.
The word of the LORD then came to Isaiah who prophesied about the coming Servant, the Light to the nations.
In chapter 43, Isaiah began a discourse on how the LORD has always been the saviour of Israel and how He will continue to be so, because He had redeemed them, and has called them by name. He said, “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you” (Is. 43:2). He continued and told them that He is the Redeemer and the only One for them.
But the LORD said: “Yet you did not call upon me, O Jacob; but you have been weary of me O Israel!” (Is. 43:22). The LORD also told them how they have been negligent towards Him.
This led me to think about our current dilemma.
Like the Israelites, we are facing countless hardships in our lives. Even those who are seemingly enjoying their lives are not really happy inside. The world is deteriorating.
Perhaps, we have also come to the point when the LORD told the Israelites, “You did not call upon me… you have been weary of me.” Even though we grumble and speak of the many hardships and sufferings we are facing now, I feel that the real problem lies with us, with our failure to call upon the One who can deliver us from them. Or are we weary of the LORD?
We tried going on our own, but we always fail. We try moving on with our strengths, but we became weak. We try consoling ourselves, but how can one who is afraid console another who is feeling the same thing? Oh, reader, aren’t you calling upon the LORD?
The LORD is the only one who can give us hope, comfort, salvation, joy and happiness. He does not weaken. He does not fail. He is always ready to receive us as we are. He said, “Return to me, for I have redeemed you” (Is. 44:22).
