Isaiah 25:4
“For you have been a stronghold to the poor, a stronghold to the needy in his distress, a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat;nfor the breath of the ruthless is like a storm against a wall,”
Thoughts from Pastor Josh
Dive Deeper
Behind the Scenes
Throughout the passages in this book, Isaiah recounts the goodness of God with vivid historical imagery. Isaiah is talking about people that have been displaced, who are physically starving, and in physical distress. If you have experienced a natural disaster before, you grasp a glimpse of what this distress feels like, and equally, God’s provision through it.
Scripture uses vivid imagery intentionally in ways that we can relate to on a personal level too. For many of us, the year of 2020 felt like a hurricane. Grief can hit us like a tsunami that we can’t begin to prepare for. A struggling marriage can feel like a tornado. Lack of purpose can feel like a long and lonely drought. An unexpected change can feel like an earthquake.
But no matter how much the earth shakes, the winds roar, or the storms rage, God’s comfort remains. No matter how much damage has been done, God’s restoration is greater. No matter what pain we have inflicted on others, or what pain has been inflicted on us, God is our stronghold.
The last portion of this verse reads, “For the breath of the ruthless is like a storm against a wall.” Sometimes when I read scripture, the cleverness of the imagery makes it stick in my memory. If God is our stronghold in a natural disaster either physically or of the heart, how much more is He against people who are against us? They are like a storm against a wall, and we get to be inside of that safety wall through Him.
Make it Real
This passage had me think back to personal tough times in my life and God’s provision through it. I can recount the way that God was gracious amidst my struggle when I called to Him, but that was just it…I had to call to Him. I’ve also been on the opposite end of the spectrum when I’ve been struggling and didn’t call out to Him. I cannot handle my storm as well as He can because He knows what I need. When we are in a humble place and cry to Him, He is with us.
Whatever storm you may be going through, cry out to Him, because His heart is close to the needy. He is our shelter from the storm and our shade from the heat. There have been times when I haven’t cried out for help and then wondered where He was. From experience, I can tell you that when His children ask, He is with us. He is ready to pick us up from any mess we may have gotten ourselves into. He protects us from the world, and He is our stronghold no matter how deep the pit.
Here’s something beautiful too — God does not only love a hurting victim, but He loves the one who has inflicted pain too. He loves you no matter what you have done, no matter what you have been through, and nothing can take that away today!
We are in this together.
Much love!
Ali Bair
ACF Devo Team
End in Prayer
Dear God,
Thank you that you are with me today. Thank you that you know my needs before I even mention them, and that you comfort me when I am troubled. I pray today that I would learn to lean into you and to trust you amidst every storm that life brings me. Prepare my heart for what is to come, because only You know what I need.