Praise him – Day 7

The nation of Israel was in exile in Babylon, and doubted whether God really cared for them. They even believed that he had severed the bond between them. Nothing could be further from the truth – God never breaks a covenant he makes with people!

Someone was needed to again remind the nation that God, unlike people, is not unfaithful and that he was aware of the plight of his people. This servant of the Lord was not speaking on his own behalf, but declared: “The Sovereign Lord has given me a well-instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary.”

Hardships and bad things happen to all people, also to believers, and that is when we need words of encouragement, comfort or hope – sometimes even rebuke. Empty words will not pierce the heart of weary people. Only words expressed from a heart full of love and sincerely shared, can bring encouragement and hope. But then it must be words soaked in truth and truthfully spoken.

It is no wonder the prophet wrote, “The Sovereign Lord has given me a well-instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary …” (Isaiah 50:4). Only God can inspire you to say the right word at the right time to a person whose life is in crisis – these words may possibly be the difference between life and death.

For those of you who are in sackcloth and ashes thinking, “I have laboured in vain; I have spent my strength for nothing at all …” (Isaiah 49:4), his Word says: “Yet what is due to me is in the Lord’s hand, and my reward is with my God” (Isaiah 49:4b).

You are facing a task or instruction which you feel is beyond you. You feel incompetent and inadequate. Take then God’s words to Cyrus to heart: “… I will strengthen you although you have not acknowledged me … I will go before you and level the mountains … I will give you hidden treasures stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the Lord, the God of Israel, who summons you by name” (Isaiah 45: 5,2-3).

For those who wonder if anyone loves you … yes! The Sovereign God, your Creator, loves you dearly: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

Have you thought that he may also want to use you to give guidance to others? Let him teach you how.