Ep 838 – Isaiah 49:8-26

There are times in the life of every child of God when they feel abandoned by Him. The circumstances surrounding their life seem to indicate that God has turned His back on them. The darkness feels overwhelming and the light of God's presence seems distant and dim. And it at those moments, we are tempted to say, "My Lord has forgotten me." That is exactly what we see happening in Isaiah 49:8-26, as the hopelessness and helplessness of the people of Judah are made painfully apparent. But God, speaking in prophetic terms, assures His people that their feelings are unreliable and their conclusions about Him are inaccurate. He has not forgotten or forsaken them. He has not abandoned them. Yes, their immediate circumstances were bleak and the outlook for the foreseeable future wasn't any better. But God has long-term plans in place of which they were unaware. And He wanted them to know that He could be trusted because He is faithful, just, and committed to His covenant promises. While their immediate comfort and happiness was all they could think of, God had greater plans in store that included eternal life, not just temporary relief from pain.