Scripture Reading(s)
Isaiah 9:3-4
9:3 You have multiplied the nation, you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as people exult when dividing plunder.
9:4 For the yoke of their burden, and the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian.
Reflections
God is our ultimate source of victory in times of hardships and trial. Sometimes its hard to remember how faithful God has been when we we encounter unexpected hard times in life.
This passage is doing two things. It is giving praise to a God who is faithful and our source of victory and it is recalling times when God proved His faithfulness.
The Jewish nation were always taught a very hard lesson. It was hard for them to keep their eyes focused on God and remain in obedience to Him. There were moments when they would get caught up by what the world had to offer that they would loose sight of who their first love was and is and should always remain to be.
Sometimes we allow for life’s circumstances to dictate how strong our faith in God’s faithfulness is for our lives. It is a hard lesson to learn because there will be moments of hard trial and moments in which we begin to question God’s love for us. I would like to give some practical advice that I believe the scripture teaches when it comes to recalling God’s faithfulness when facing hard times:
- Write down all the times you remember God answering a prayer and thank God for those times.
- Pray constantly that God will continue to strengthen your faith each day in not only the big things but in the little things as well.
- Memorize scripture. This is a hard one to do especially as an adult because our memory is not as good as it was when we were kids. However memorizing scripture will become your greatest weapon in fighting off false thoughts of God’s love for you not being steadfast.
God’s covenants (both old and new) are always accompanied by joy. We can see throughout the biblical testimony that in the good times and the bad that God gives joy in the time of plenty and hope in the time of need. I learned as a young Christian to never doubt or lose trust in God. He has always taken care of all I need and He will for you also.
Recall also that the joy we experience here in this life is nothing compared to what it will be like when we are in the presence of God. When the covenant is completed and all creation is renewed we will be surrounded by the love of God in a way that we can get a hint of now.
For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. (1 Corinthian 13:12)