The Lord said through Isaiah, “As one whom his mother comforts, so will I comfort you; you shall be comforted in Jerusalem.”
We wonder how on Earth that applies to our here and now.
It takes time to read the rest of the chapter – not to mention prayer and listening to the Spirit. When we do that we see where God’s children have been dealing with oppression by the wicked. People who have chosen themselves over God, who thumb their noses at the Holy One, have killed God’s people, stolen land, money, children, and material goods, and have destroyed much of their lives.
God says He’ll take care of them. He expresses how He feels about these wicked and deceitful people – some of whom belong to Israel, and it is not pretty!
Then here in verse 13, God tells His people He understands the feeling we have of peace when Mom holds us. He knows the love we feel when Mom wraps is up in arms strong and compassionate.
God never had a mother but He created them, and children too. He knows what that mother’s comfort does for us, how it lifts us from a fall, builds us up, teaches us, nourishes us, strengthens us, and stands us up to take on the world again. He understands how we feel when Mom stands between us and the bullies who taunt and terrorize us.
The oppression that the people of Israel endured is prevalent today. The same enemy that worried them day and night roams our world, stealing, killing, and destroying.
God offers us the same hope He gave Israel: as one who knows a mother’s comfort, I will comfort you.
He knows how your whole body feels broken and battered after that tangle with the enemy. His arms are open, run to Him! He will hold you until your strength is renewed. He will let you cry until every tear of fear, frustration, anger, and weakness is gone, replacing them with peace, wisdom, and strength.
No matter the battle you’re dealing with, kids driving you crazy, sickness that won’t stop, death knocking at your door, He offers you the comfort of a mom holding her child who is broken-hearted.
Look up, my broken-hearted, beaten-down friend. Reach up to the One who made you. He wants to heal every spot of brokenness and set you back to right.
Are you ready?
Coffee, Bible, Journal.
© 2019 Faye Stoeffler Bryant
