October 9 Daily Devotional

Bible Reading

Isaiah 49:14–18

Devotional

Zion complained that the Lord had forsaken and forgotten her. Then the Lord declares that He has graven His people upon the palms of His hands. If the Lord would cast these people off, He would actually lose something that belongs to Himself, namely His own hands. The Lord can give no greater proof than this that He has bound Himself to His church.

But the Lord adds even more comfort by saying, “Thy walls are continually before me.” Which walls? Yes, the walls of Jerusalem. This means that the city and the temple will be rebuilt. God’s favor will not depart from the destroyed city. Zion says, “I see ruins,” but the Lord says, “I see walls.” Is there anything that exceeds the love God bestows to heal broken hearts? Does the cup of blessing not overflow when an almighty God begins to restore? During the greatest sorrows the Lord is near with His blessed presence.

Do you know what it is to complain about yourself? Is this a complaint because of the ruins of your sin? If these are strange things for you, the Lord cannot yet give you anything, for you have never experienced who the Lord is for a guilty sinner. There are people who say, “I see walls,” but they have never been broken down. They themselves say that they see the walls and they comfort themselves with that. But when the complaint becomes so urgent that they cry out for comfort—then they need the comfort of another!

Are you at the point where you can no longer help yourself? Is your need so urgent that you cannot live without God any longer? Has your sin brought you to ruin? Does everything appear hopeless? Yet be encouraged! Those of you who are needy and sorrowing, do not despise His goodness! Take hold of the Lord in His own Word. Hold on to what He Himself has said to His sorrowing Zion! He is a faithful God for unfaithful people. He still desires to have dealings with those who have forsaken Him or forgotten Him. Do not underestimate the lovingkindness of God. You have only one pleading ground in your supplications and that is the precious Savior, who was forsaken and forgotten by God, so that a guilty Jerusalem would be rebuilt.

 

From The Everlasting Word by Frans Bakker, compiled and translated by Gerald R. Procee. Reformation Heritage Books and Free Reformed Publications, 2007. Used by permission. For further information, click here.