Isaiah 42:16 Lead Me, Guide Me

 

Observation: In the time of the Babylonian exile, the people of Judah are in a foreign land, with no clear way forward. In this context, God's promise, to lead the blind by a road they do not know, must be especially comforting. At this time in history, all of God's people must feel symbolically blind: not able to see how they got here, nor how they will get out. They will have to depend completely on God's guidance. 

I also find it meaningful that God's promise is not a promise to "change" those who are blind in some way. No miraculous healing here. God's promise is to make the road accessible. God will guide them, so they can travel exactly as they are. 

Application: The more I listen to the stories of people with disabilities today, the more differently I  read stories of people with disabilities in the Bible. Sometimes the "healing" we seek comes from being accepted as we are. I have a son with autism. I don't pray for him to be "healed" and become neurotypical. Instead, I pray that the people around him will get to know him, and realize that if they adjust their expectations and assumptions ever so slightly, they will get to know such a creative, capable and gifted kid. God doesn't always heal by making blind people no longer blind. Sometimes God heals by sending the guides and making the road walkable for all people. 

Prayer: God, make our communities and our hearts accessible for all people. Send us as your guides for those who need a hand. Make the rough places in our hearts smooth. In Jesus' name, Amen. 

 

 

1 Corinthians 10:1-4 Jesus is a Rock in a Weary Land

 

Observation: Paul is sharing his interpretation of lessons learned from the story of Moses and the Israelites escaping slavery through the Red Sea and wandering in the wilderness. He compares passing through the Red Sea, led by the cloud of God's presence, to a baptism. The people were changed by the journey of faith. They were fed by "spiritual food," or manna from God, and drank the same "spiritual drink," or water from the rock which God provided (Exodus 17). In Paul's view, the rock was Christ.

Application: There's a lot going on in these few short verses, but the part that draws me back are the last four words: "the rock was Christ." Even though Jesus is not mentioned in the Hebrew Bible at all, Paul believed that the eternal Christ existed even in the time of Moses. The same Messiah who saved the world from sin on the cross, saved the people of Israel in the dry and weary wilderness. Often, when Jesus has been helping me, it's not until a long time later that I realize it really was Jesus. We may feel we're doing pretty well "on our own," until we realize he's the "rock in a weary land" that has followed us through the hardest times. 

Prayer: Jesus, as you provided for the Israelites in the wilderness, you are providing for my spirit today. Thank you. Amen. 

If this devotion brought up this gospel song in your head, you may as well give it a listen.