Today’s Reading, Isaiah 13-17
Focal Scripture: Isaiah 17:7 “On that day people will look to their Maker and will turn their eyes to the Holy One of Israel.”
Nobody wants to experience suffering. Suffering is draining in every possible way in a persons life. It drains you mentally, physically, spiritually, and emotionally. Suffering causes doubt and questions. It can even have you question God’s sovereignty in your life. However, suffering can also bring clarity and focus. It can drown all the noise out in your life and require you to look to God for all of your needs and desires.
In today’s reading we see the judgements coming upon the cities. They are experiencing these because of choices the people have made and rebellion against the Lord. Isaiah records a phenomenal response by the Lord on what people will do when they experience suffering and judgement. They will look to the Lord and turn their eyes to the Holy One of Israel. Suffering brings clarity and focus.
What we must understand, is that all of us will go through suffering. It might not be a major situation but sometimes the lingering and nagging suffering can take more of a toll on a person than the quick suffering. It seems like it will never end and it seems like no hope is in the horizon. Then it might be unexpected suffering that you’re going through. A sudden illness or the death of a loved one in your life. Finical ruin and you’re not sure how to make the next payment. It breaks you and causes doubt.
The challenge that we have as believers is to understand the role of suffering in our lives. It is intended to bring us closer to God. It is to drive us to our creator and glorify him in all that we say, think, and do. Suffering should immediately turn our eyes to Jesus. We should glorify the Lord and ask this simple and profound question “What do I need to surrender to you or is this to bring glory to your name?”
When we suffer we must understand we are living testimonies. How we handle it reveals our faith in God and shows others how to trust. I still have much to learn in this area of my life. Sometimes I lack trust and I suffer in ways that the Lord is trying to teach me to trust him more. How about you? Are you turning your eyes to the Lord when you suffer or is it all about you?
Suffering is a good teacher but it is even a better revealer. It reveals our hope and our trust. It reveals where we look in times of trouble. I challenge you and myself today to trust the Lord and to turn your eyes to the maker of heaven and Earth.
Tomorrow, I plan on reading Isaiah 18-22
