Bountiful Spirit - March 17, 2021
Isaiah 49:8–15
Thus says the Lord:
In a time of favor, I have answered you, on a day of salvation I have helped you; I have kept you and given you as a covenant to the people, to establish the land, to apportion the desolate heritages; saying to the prisoners, “Come out,”, to those who are in darkness, “Show yourselves.”
They shall feed along the ways, on all the bare heights shall be their pasture; they shall not hunger or thirst, neither scorching wind nor sun shall strike them down, for he who has pity on them will lead them, and by springs of water will guide them.
And I will turn all my mountains into a road, and my highways shall be raised up. Lo, these shall come from far away, and lo, these from the north and from the west, and these from the land of Syene. Sing for joy, O heavens, and exult, O earth; break forth, O mountains, into singing!
For the Lord has comforted his people and will have compassion on his suffering ones. But Zion said, “The Lord has forsaken me, my Lord has forgotten me.” Can a woman forget her nursing-child, or show no compassion for the child of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you.
Reflection by Cheryl Rogers
When we think of our deepest human need what is it we feel we can’t live without? Food and water would most likely be on the top of the list since it would be difficult to live very long without them. It could be the need to feel useful, to be respected, to make a difference in the world or feel what effort we expend matters? Or is it the need for love? Is it to have someone care about us and remember us? Is that our deepest human need?
God’s promise to not forget us, to mitigate the worst circumstances in which we find ourselves, to lessen our fear, and ease the deepest pain, transcends even death. Love’s memory keeps us alive in heart and mind. To be remembered and loved is life.
God is concerned with the eternal not the material. Often, we forget we can’t fathom God’s love or God’s ways as they’re not like ours. His justice is truer than we can conceive. His promise more enduring than we could dream.
