For a people shall dwell in Zion, in Jerusalem; you shall weep no more. He will surely be gracious to you at the sound of your cry. As soon as he hears it, he answers you. 20 And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, yet your Teacher will not hide himself anymore, but your eyes shall see your Teacher.
Smile, it gets worse. That always gets a laugh or a smile out of someone who is NOT going through trial. It is a good idea not to say it to someone who is. These words from Isaiah to Judah are much more palatable. They were being threatened by Assyria but worse was to come when Jerusalem fell and the temple was destroyed. They were taken into captivity. It could not get much worse than that. Thankfully, it could, and would, get better. The Teacher will come, Isaiah said.
Jesus Christ is the ultimate fulfillment of this prophecy. He is the Teacher who the disciples saw. The Teacher made a way, through the cross, for us to approach the Throne Room of the Lord. He tore the veil that separated us. In this life, it will get worse. Praise the Lord that we have the words of the Lord, to not be afraid, that he will be with us, that he will never leave us nor forsake us! Today, may we smile, not necessarily because it will get worse thought it might. Smile because your eyes will see the Teacher when he comes again.
Dear Lord, thank you that you have made a way for us to cry out to you. Hear our cry and let us be assured that you hear us and we will see you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Pastor Brad Boyer
Cape Community Church