Jireh is Enough for Us in Every Circumstance!
Let me begin plainly: I don't like how today's devotional leaves out a whole section of uncomfortable words about divorce, transgressions, and rebukes from the Lord. Nor the fact that the Lord says he can turn rivers into deserts, causing their fish to rot or die of thirst (Isaiah 50:1-4). It is a metaphor for how Israel feels dejected and left out in the cold, not realizing that God has always been there. But I digress; in fact, that is not what today's devotional passage is about—rather a good precedent for what comes next, which is equally compelling.
Here is the servant, whose words and tongue are instructed by God himself. The Lord wakes him up every morning so that they can be used as a vessel to sustain his people. I don't know about you, but I feel this is a heavy task—the calling to undertake God’s work and word, and spread it to a sea of doubting men and women around us, can be daunting, and disappointing. If it was me, I would have given up on the first day of duty. And not because I did not try, but because perhaps my words would fall on deaf ears! But this servant has been resilient, staying on and soldiering through as God’s faithful servant.
But do you notice the payback God’s servant receives?(V5- 7).They are beaten, pulled, pushed, mocked, and spat at. (Sounds familiar?) How often do we as Christians face responses such as these? Our belief in Christ and his resurrection is indeed strange to others to perceive. Often we ourselves are mocked for our belief in a sovereign God and a risen saviour. Like two peas in a pod, suffering and discipleship are almost, if not, synonymous!
But despite all the hardships we press on. It is the sovereign Lord who helps and strengthens his servant. He is by our side, making us the catalyst that ignites the fire–the flint, our ever present advocate. It is God who vindicates and saves us. It is our faith in him and in the risen Saviour that allows us to soldier on each day. And that is enough! He notices the suffering we go through because of our faith; and if he is with us, who can be against us (V9). Our troubles wear out like garments eaten by moths, like rivers that turn to desserts, fish that die of thirst.
May He always be our rock and salvation.
Ruth Situma