Isaiah 41 begins with a courtroom scene that develops over a number of chapters, a trial where God is both judge and prosecutor. The nations are the audience, watching God prove his case. The idols of the world are defendants, prosecuted by God. Yet there is also a special group in the audience; the trial is for their benefit. Is it the jury? The victim?
The special member of the audience is Israel himself. God questions and accuses the idols in Israel’s presence, challenging them to predict the future or explain the past. But he also addresses Israel directly, as a prosecutor might address a jury. Israel needs to listen, because they have been humbled and broken by pagan nations, and are fearful. Where has the God of Israel been?
Yet the Lord answers their fears. He says to them, “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Over and over he tells them, “Fear not!” He has not abandoned his people. He will be their redeemer and rescue them from slavery and exile.
The world is chaotic and full of danger. Yet God proves that the idols of men are nothing. They are merely objects, things people build to protect themselves. They have no power. They cannot do anything, they do not know the past, and they cannot tell the future. God alone can do these things; he alone is Lord over history, and the world is in his hands.
We, like Israel, live in a chaotic and turbulent world. Like Israel we are tempted to trust in what we build and accomplish. Through our efforts we strive to create something that will protect us. Yet God alone is King over history—the idols we create totter and fall. He is not distant; he is both “the first” and present “with the last.” He remembers the poor and needy, thus we can take courage in the Redeemer. We need not fear the idols of the nations, nor should we create our own, because God alone knows the future.
-A Prayer from Isaiah 41-
You, O Lord our God, hold us by the right hand; it is you who says to us, “Fear not, for I am the one who helps you!” You are the Holy One of Israel, yet also our Redeemer. You alone know the future, and nothing happens outside your providence. May we live in these turbulent times without fear, trusting that you are Lord over history.
Steven+