“Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the Law, happy is he.” Proverbs 29:18
In the fortieth chapter of the book of Isaiah, we read where the Lord gives a vision of Himself to Israel. Isaiah writes: “Hast thou not known? Hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? There is no searching of His understanding.” (v.28) What is the Lord seeking to do in giving to Isaiah such an elevated, and exalted vision of the everlasting God, and Creator of the ends of the earth? He is doing this so that the people will not perish. Why would they perish, or waste away? It is because God has called us to live by faith, not just to exist, but to “live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me (us) and gave Himself for me (us).” (Gal. 2:20) Associated with that capacity to believe God for what He desires to give, not only concerning that which is good, but moreso, the Holy Spirit, is the matter of a true and clear vision of His Person, and His willingness, commitment, and power to give. So, He brings Israel to see first of all in her plight, that “…her warfare is acccomplished, that she has received of the Lord’s hand double for all her sins.” (40:1) But He does not stop with the revelation of sins forgiven, and the possibility of a new beginning, of renewal, revival, and restoration. He comes to reveal Himself to her, to comfort her with hope, the certain hope of God’s intervention in the life, that, as He was willing and committed to forgive, and cleanse her from all sin, so He is willing and committed to strengthen her to live, to rise up, to reign in life. However, there is a problem. It is that of appropriating by faith that which God so desires to give. God is a Rewarder of those who truly seek Him. Scripture tells us clearly that he who comes to God, must believe that He is, and that He is a Rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. (Heb. 11:6) So, here is God who is waiting to be gracious to Israel, specifically at a time of a new beginning, she having been cleansed from all sin. However, the measure in which she will be able to receive from Him that which He desires to give in order to restore her to abundant faith, will depend upon her vision of Him.
In the prophet Samuel’s day, Israel had all but lost her vision of God. There was little manifestation of His working and moving at that time, as there was very little faith. The reign of Saul, who had forsaken the Lord, and the oppression by the Philistines, had left the people despondant, and somewhat hopeless. However, God would move in and through Samuel to begin to restore a vision of Himself, so that the people would again actively trust Him. Ultimately, this would result in God again revealing His glory. DAvid would become king. So, what is the Lord seeking to do for Israel in Isaiah’s writings?
Israel had come to a place in her heart and spirit where she believed, “…My way is hid from the Lord, and my judgment is passed over from my God.” (40:28) She, because of her suffering, even though God had intervened to forgive her, was of the mind that God had forgotten her, and that she was reaping the fruits of her disobedience and unbelief, and that there was no apparent remedy. It is at this point that God interjects the revelation of Himself into the situation, declaring that, since He is the everlasting God, the God of the ends of the earth, that He gives “…power to the faith; and to them that have no might, He increaseth strength.” (40:29) He gives to Israel a wonderful promise: “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength.” (v.31) Herein is hope, God’s faithfulness.
Dear Father, Strengthen us today wondrously. In Jesus’ name, Amen.