Isaiah Chapter 46

“I have your back”

“I am with you always”

“I will stand by you”

When such reassuring words echoes around us, a deep warmth and calmness may envelop us, even when we continue to be besieged with troubles and hardships.  And if these words are spoken by our Lord God to us personally, the feeling will be even more impactful and lasting.  As Paul reminded us “If God is for us, who can be against us” (Rom 8:31).

The people of God had often acted foolishly, turning to vain idols for help, when the One who can truly help them is right before them.   God, at all times, have been by their side.  As reiterated in verses 3 and 4, throughout their lives, God upheld, carried and delivered them.  But as the saying goes, the people “bite the hand that feeds them”.  

Not only that, they subjected God to the greatest insult.  When they turn to idols instead of God, they have inadvertently proclaimed that they placed more trust in idols than God.  In other words, making the judgement and thus deciding that the idols can do more for them than the Lord God Almighty.  (verse 5).

In our everyday life, do we also commit the same error.

Stubbornly and foolishly clutching at straws, yet wondering why our present state has not improved, but has in fact gone further down south.  Prudence tells us to heed verses 8 and 9, firmly holding unto God as only He is God and there is no other,.  None are like Him, none are as great and powerful as Him.  None can help us  and none other that we should turn to.

Even if others may seem to have resolved our problems, alleviate us from our hardship and in fact seemed to have prospered us when we turn to them.  Let us examine carefully and see if such ‘goodness’ are lasting or only for the moment (howbeit a substantially long period).  

Let us bear in mind that the same trick is often used by tricksters.  To make us trust in their scams, they may allow us to taste some initial goodness, “sweeteners” to entice and entrap.  Once we are drawn in fully, that is where things turn for the worse, the true colours are seen and we realise that it is too late, we have been trapped. Let us not be deceived.  

True and lasting happiness lies with our complete faith, trust and reliance in God.  To do that, we need to constantly remember and recall the mighty acts of God in our lives as well as the lives of those around us.

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