I couldn’t not choose this prompt to write about at some point, considering I have Isaiah 41:10 tattooed on my arm, it being a really important verse for me.
Isaiah 41: 8-10 reads…
But you, Israel, my servant,
Jacob, whom I have chosen,
the offspring of Abraham, my friend;
9 you whom I took from the ends of the earth,
and called from its farthest corners,
saying to you, “You are my servant,
I have chosen you and not cast you off”;
10 do not fear, for I am with you,
do not be afraid, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.
I never cease to be left in awe by these words. While Isaiah is speaking comfort to the nation of Israel who are in exile, these words, his promises are true for us today too. We are called God’s friends; we are told that God has chosen us, called us from the ends of the earth and will not cast us of nor forget us. How incredible is that? That we get to be called friends of God, in the midst of exile, confusion and grief we have the best friend.
And not only that, but a friend who makes even more powerful promises to us. We are told that in our grief, in times of exile, we need not be afraid or fearful, because God is with us. We are told we will be helped and strengthened. God will hold us in his hand.
Again, God doesn’t promise that all the bad things will disappear. He doesn’t say, I’ll whistle and you won’t be in exile or pain anymore. God promises to be our friend and to be with us in the pain.
An intimate friend to hold our hand when we are grieving, these are the promises we can depend on in our grief.
Lex xx
Lexisms 