What Moments Teach

“‘Sing, O barren one, who did not bear;
break forth into singing and cry aloud,
you who have not been in labor!
For the children of the desolate one will be more
than the children of her who is married,’ says the Lord.
‘Enlarge the place of your tent,
and let the curtains of your habitations be stretched out;
do not hold back; lengthen your cords
and strengthen your stakes.
For you will spread abroad to the right and to the left,
and your offspring will possess the nations
and will people the desolate cities.

‘Fear not, for you will not be ashamed;
be not confounded, for you will not be disgraced;
for you will forget the shame of your youth,
and the reproach of your widowhood you will remember no more.
For your Maker is your husband,
the Lord of hosts is his name;
and the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer,
the God of the whole earth he is called.

For the Lord has called you
like a wife deserted and grieved in spirit,
like a wife of youth when she is cast off…
For a brief moment I deserted you,
but with great compassion I will gather you.
In overflowing anger for a moment
I hid my face from you,
but with everlasting love I will have compassion on you,’
says the Lord, your Redeemer…

‘I have sworn that I will not be angry with you,
and will not rebuke you.’” Isaiah 54:1-8,9

“For his anger is but for a moment,
and his favor is for a lifetime.
Weeping may tarry for the night,
but joy comes with the morning.” Psalm 30:5

Moments of sorrow, seasons of destitution, abandonment, agonizing trials, are just that… moments. Temporary. Finite. In our human concept of time they may seem forever, but in God’s grand economy, He measures the little while of bitter and knows its end. In the meantime, we are to sing, prepare expectantly, and with increasing faith look to Him to fulfill His promises. He will bring the sweet to teach us relief and allow us to know His mercy. And grace, nearness, healing, restoration. He is the Redeemer who restores what locusts have eaten. (Joel 2:24-27; 1 Peter 5:10)

What choke of grief, rut of immobility, or famine of passion or vitality has ensconced us for far too long? Over what questions do we agonize, certain they’ll never be answered? Our experience of God can be enriched if we choose to see present barrenness as a brief moment ordained by Him for our good and His glory.

Where will we widen our tent pegs to learn new facets of God’s character, to look beyond despair and disgrace to glorious hope? To what promises will we cling as we anticipate joy’s dawning?

“When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
the rivers of sorrow shall not overflow;
for I will be near thee, thy troubles to bless,
and sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.

“When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie,
my grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply;
the flame shall not hurt thee; I only design
thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine.” ~George Keith (1787)

Lord, in the present moment grant me an eternal perspective and forever hope.