Tears and Hope
Bible in a Year: Judges 7-8; Luke 5:1-16
My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways. Isaiah 55:8
Today's Scripture: Isaiah 55:6-13
Insight
Isaiah 55 begins with a divine invitation: “Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters” (v. 1). God will expound on this imagery of life-giving water in verses 10-11 as He compares His very words to His method of caring for creation: “As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, . . . so is my word that goes out from my mouth.” Precipitation brings life to the earth; God’s words give life to our spirits. Even in times of grief and doubt, God gives us His peace: “You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace” (v. 12).
Although it was Palm Sunday, a day to celebrate the triumphal entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem, for Mary Edwar it became a time of deep pain. Leaving their church after the service, she and her husband, Kareem, were holding hands when a bomb went off. The device killed Kareem and injured Mary, causing her to miscarry.
While Mary recuperated, she felt furious while grieving for her husband and child. But somehow reading the Bible calmed “the volcano inside her.” In particular, when she struggled to comprehend why God allowed the atrocity, Isaiah 55:9 helped: “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways.” As she understood that God extends grace even when He’s dishonored, she felt soothed by His Spirit.
Mary considered Isaiah’s message from God to His wayward people. While calling them back to Himself, God sought to expand their understanding of His merciful character. Even as the heavens are “higher than” the earth, so were God’s ways “higher than” theirs (v. 9). So too will God show love and grace, more than they could imagine.
While grieving deeply, Mary was stunned to receive God’s gift of peace. She welcomed Jesus’ consoling love, which He poured out in the events that we mark during Holy Week. He’s eager to give us His peace too; we need only to look to Him.
Reflect & Pray
How does reflecting on God’s loving nature help you? How have you found peace when reading the Bible?
Creator God, You cherish me. Even when I’m wracked with pain and doubt, you provide hope and love.
Find love and peace in the practice of lament.