Scripture

Then at last the people will look to their Creator and turn to the Holy One of Israel. They will no longer look to their idols for help or worship what their own hands have made.

Observation

The Lord will destroy Syria, which will share the fate of Israel’s departed glory.

In Israel, the whole land will look like a grain field after the harvest. There will only be a few people left to tend the land.

Then at last, God’s people will return to Him, giving up their idols and false gods.

Even though the armies of the enemies roar like the ocean, God will silence them and they will run away. In the evening Israel waits in terror, but by morning its enemies are dead.

Application

God’s purposes are always redemptive, that is they seek to draw us back to Him.

The Lord did not punish Israel out of vengeance. He sent them into exile to force them to abandon their idols and turn back to Him.

When we go through difficult times, we can choose to battle them on our own ability, or we can draw close to God and listen to the still small voice of the Holy Spirit.

I have found that in the darkest and most troubling experiences of life, the Lord is always there. He does not necessarily remove the suffering, but He does give us hope to sustain us.

Prayer

Thank you Lord for your promise never to abandon us. Please help me to always turn my attention to you in every circumstance. Amen.