“Though the Lord may give you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, yet your Teacher will not hide himself any more, but your eyes shall see your Teacher. 21 And when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left, your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” 22 Then you will defile your silver-covered idols and your gold-plated images. You will scatter them like filthy rags; you will say to them, “Away with you!”” Isaiah 30:20-21.
We see ourselves in the Israelites’ narrative. While they gripped onto their faith in God’s promises, they also lay vulnerable to reaching toward earthly gratification. In the midst of waiting, physical and mental hardship, and persecution they were tempted to feast on things that brought quick satisfaction to famined bodies and souls. Though God’s presence was constant, it didn’t always bring the contentment expected. And they turned away.
Consequences make us regret our faux feasts. Like the Israelites, we experience the taste of a broken covenant. But thankfully, that’s not the end of the story.
Even when we change our posture in resistance, God does not. Left. Right. Up. Down. Front. Behind. He is there. Ancient ideologies emphasized the “right” as the side of favor and the “left” being associated with evil/ fighting off danger. Yet, Isaiah’s prophetic words tell us that God’s presence shows no spatial preference. His voice and posture hem us in from all sides. Regardless of circumstances.
Thanks be to God.
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“Yet, Isaiah’s prophetic words tell us that God’s presence shows no spatial preference. His voice and posture hem us in from all sides. Regardless of circumstances.” Encouraging truth, beautifully stated. Thank you, Stephanie. Visiting from FMF.
Thank you for stopping by! I’m glad it is encouraging.