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Isaiah 55:8
"My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts," says the Lord.
And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.
9 For just as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so my ways are higher than your ways
and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.
10"The rain and snow come down from the heavens
and stay on the ground to water the earth.
They cause the grain to grow,
producing seed for the farmer
and bread for the hungry.
11 It is the same with my word.
I send it out, and it always produces fruit.
It will accomplish all I want it to,
and it will prosper everywhere I send it.
12 You will live in joy and peace.
The mountains and hills will burst into song,
and the trees of the field will clap their hands!
13 Where once there were thorns, cypress trees will grow.
Where nettles grew, myrtles will sprout up.
These events will bring great honor to the Lord's name;
they will be an everlasting sign of his power and love."
(NLT)
Winter is here. Some people don't like it and flee south while others love the winter. I do admit, I love the soft look of snow on the ground and the beauty of winter. I lived in Mississippi for five years, and I missed the blankets of snow. As a child growing up in the small town of Vanport in western Pennsylvania, I recall watching the beauty of snow falling beneath the streetlights, and we often enjoyed sled riding with others on "the big hill." However, snow and winter can be disabling. We lived in upstate New York during the Ice Storm of the Century and lived in a shelter for weeks. We will never forget that experience. As a chaplain, I have been one to support families after devastating accidents in winter conditions. Winter can be brutal, and so can the winters be in our life. Isaiah is speaking to those dealing with extremely hard times in their history.
Rainy and snowy days can be dreary and tough. However, they are necessary to the farmer and nature if life is to thrive. The snow provides life to both planting and the outdoors. Water from snow and rain that enters our water systems is necessary to the very existence of human life. This chapter is about the Lord's salvation and is really an invitation to those empty and broken in life to come and experience God's grace and mercy "without cost"(Isa. 55:1).
In the winters of life, God's Word and presence are still at work
In the beginning of this chapter, the writer addresses those who are hungry, thirsty and in need. He encourages them to seek satisfaction from the giver of everlasting water and life. I am reminded of the women at the well. Alone, forsaken, abandoned, and afraid she is met by Jesus who offers her hope amid hopelessness – Living Water indeed!
Even though things are very tough the writer reminds them that God is still at work and his ways are way beyond ours. He reminds them that just as the snow and rain brings life, so God's Word and His presence as the Living Word brings life, hope, and purpose.
In the winters of life, God's Word and presence demonstrate His power and love
"These events will bring great honor to the Lord's name; they will be an everlasting sign of his power and love." (55:13, NLT).
The rain and snow of winter waters the ground and in an amazing miracle reveal the handwork of God in spring. So too, the Life of God's Word and presence as the Living Word produces beauty from ashes, light amidst darkness, and resounds with resurrection hope. Even though things are very tough the writer reminds them that God is still at work and his ways are way beyond ours. Yet God's power is always measured by His love. In this context he reminds them that just as the snows and rains come and produce fruit and harvest, God's Word and His presence as the Living Word brings life, hope and purpose.
in the winters of life, God's Word and presence produce growth and life
It produces the fruit of life that sustains life.
I still remember those green beans sprouting up tiny at first. When they matured, mom would have us pick them then she made homemade bacon, potatoes and green bean soup. Oh, so good.
The writer uses vivid imagery of trees clapping and speaks of new growth. After a storm or fire, the forest bursts with the green shoots of new life. I remember the tornados in Pennsylvania in 1985 that left a trail of destruction for miles. A few years ago, I was in the big woods when a wind storm hit and large trees crashed around me. However, I fled to safety in the scrubby new growths that came after those great tornados, and I stayed there until the storm was over. In a beautiful Hebrew play on words, God declares His Word accomplishes its purpose. The root word's plural form of dibar is translated, "his acts "among his people (Psalms 105:27). When God speaks, he acts hence why in Hebrew "speak," "act," "listen" and "obey" are often the same root words. It was why swearing by oath was as good as done. Just as the winter comes with the cold rain and snow, the promise remains: God's presence and care, yes even in the winters of life is as certain as His words, "I will be with you."
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Dan Hamilton is chaplain at Geisinger-Lewistown Hospital.