By Guest Writer
Scripture Reading: Isaiah 29:1-24, Isaiah 30:1-33, Psalm 20:6-9, Romans 9:20-26
The older I get the more deeply I sigh.
There’s a sigh in my soul as I struggle to accept two seemingly conflicting truths. For example, I can honestly love and respect someone yet not agree with everything they say or do. Or I can value working diligently and passionately yet also resist depending on my work to define me. Similarly, I can cherish having my children close yet launch them into independence. Sigh. A lot of life involves holding two truths in tension.
Isaiah’s prophetic message to the people of Judah challenged them to wrestle with two truths simultaneously as well.
The first truth was a word of warning: God would oppose those who turned away from Him. God’s judgment would be fierce yet fair because the nation was following their leaders’ rebellion in worshiping false gods and forging allegiances with foreign kings. Judah was collectively rejecting their one true God and King.
“Woe to those who go to great lengths to hide their plans from the LORD. They do their works in the dark, and say, ‘Who sees us? Who knows us?’”
—Isaiah 29:15
Truth number one: There would be deep hurt if they continued to rebel against God. Their disobedience was exposed, and they could not hide from the consequences.
The second truth was a word of hope. Even amidst Judah’s rebellion, God promised that He would receive them with forgiveness and love if they opened their eyes to their sin and turned back to Him. With repentance comes restoration.
Therefore the LORD is waiting to show you mercy, and is rising up to show you compassion, for the LORD is a just God. All who wait patiently for him are happy.
—Isaiah 30:18
Truth number two: There was deep hope in the promise that God was ready to receive and restore His wayward people.
Hurt and hope intertwined? That can be a lot to hold. But these kinds of hurts often operate like a surgeon’s scalpel—with the goal of bringing healing. This restoration and relationship with God is our necessary, deep hope. Sigh. This is profound yet painful. Not all can accept the tension.
For the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel, has said: “You will be delivered by returning and resting; your strength will lie in quiet confidence. But you are not willing.”
—Isaiah 30:15
Are we willing to open our eyes and admit when we seek ultimate peace, security, and well-being in anything other than God? This may be painful. Are we willing to hold the hurt of conviction and the loss of old habits, preferences, and addictions?
Oh God, You make the pathway for repentance and restoration. Help us return to You as we hold the tension of hurt and hope today. Thank you for mercifully welcoming us back again and again.
Written by Patti Sauls
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