Isaiah 44 reminds me of my friend’s dad. He was a mailman and he constantly picked things out of the trash as he walked his route to take home and fix. It seems he saw value in things that others did not, and used his hands to restore them to full usefulness. In today’s chapter Isaiah compares the workmanship of God to the handiwork of man. He begins with an important understanding, we are God’s creation, “But now listen, Jacob, my servant… He who made you, who formed you in the womb“. That means we were made with His knowledge, uniquely for His purpose. He adds, “Do not be afraid“, but He give reasons too! God makes promises to His people, Israel, “For I will pour water on the thirsty land… I will pour out My Spirit on your offspring, and My blessing on your descendants… They will spring up like grass“. Understand, it is God that makes the promise, and God that does the work. Not only that, but He gives His extended warrantee plan to their offspring. He seems to indicate some will claim “I belong to the LORD“, but apparently God’s terms are simple: “You are my witnesses. Is there any God besides me?“. His offer has no expiration date and it is now open to all. I believe we can choose to be covered too and God will pluck us from the garbage pile and make us witnesses of His mercy. In your life, is there any god beside Him?
Next Isaiah discusses the cheap man-made substitutes. “All who make idols are nothing, and the things they treasure are worthless… they are ignorant, to their own shame“. In futility we tinker to make ourselves worthy. “The blacksmith takes a tool and works with it in the coals… He gets hungry and loses his strength… The carpenter measures… and marks… He shapes… He cut down cedars“. Out of the same wood, “he takes and warms himself… But he also fashions a god and worships it“. We scoff at the idea of idols today. No, today our idols are disposable. We work to buy the latest and greatest only to throw it away a few years later. Marriages are tossed, people are kicked to the curb, and homes are abandoned. “Such a person feeds on ashes; a deluded heart misleads him; he cannot save himself“. Have you been trashed by someone?
God is the king of recycling. “I have made you, you are My servant… I will not forget you“. He sees beyond the dents and dings. “I have swept away your offenses… Return to Me, for I have redeemed you“. That means He purchased you, tarnish and muck and all. He says, “Sing for joy… for the LORD has done this“. Maybe all you can hear is the trash man, but pick up your head, “This is what the LORD says your Redeemer, who formed you in the womb: ‘I am the LORD, the Maker of all things, who stretches out the heavens, who spreads out the earth by myself… who overthrows the learning of the wise and turns it into nonsense’“. God does not see us as disposable! The chapter ends with a prophesy about the Temple in Jerusalem, “Let it be rebuilt… Let its foundations be laid“. Still sitting on the curb? Your faith needs a foundation too. The Jewish leaders asked Jesus for proof that He was the Son of God. He replied, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days” (John 2:19). The resurrection of Christ is proof that God can bring new life to what man has destroyed. This letter is sent special delivery, because He sees your value. Will you let Him restore you?