I bet you’re familiar with setbacks and disappointments, right? You’re married? Have kids? Single? No kids? You have parents? You have money or work problems; your boss won’t get off your back? Maybe health issues? Whatever your situation, I think you know “setbacks and disappointments”; that could even be your middle name.
So how do you deal with your problems? Charlie Brown went to Lucy for advice. Many people write “Dear Abby” in the paper. You could try AI and ask Siri, Alexa, or Google. Maybe consult the dead – that’s what the Israelites were doing in Isaiah 8:19. But really, what should you do?
You see, when Isaiah was the prophet of Israel in 750 BC, times for Israel were dark and distressing, empty and void. The people had abandoned and forgotten God. They weren’t trusting Him, not fearing Him, not believing Him, and not coming to Him for help or answers. God said, “I raised up and brought up my children but they have rebelled against me. The ox knows its owner, and the donkey its master’s crib, but Israel does not know, my people do not understand.” Ugh! Does this sound like you, rebelling against God and not going to Him for help and answers?
So what did God do with His estranged children? First, He promised discipline. A good spanking, out of love, will get their attention and snap them back into place. It’s what’s best for them. And the discipline came, as Assyria ran all over them, and the good news is some people came back to God. “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives. He disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness (Hebrews 12:5-10).”
Not only did God discipline, but He also loved and promised good news: a time of glory and gladness was coming. Victory would be won over the enemy. And, “a child will be born, a son will be given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this (Isaiah 9:6-7).” This is God Himself, the Messiah, who rights all wrongs and fixes all that’s broken. He will address your setbacks and disappointments. He is Christ, the Lord, who came as a baby, born in the manger, died on the cross, and rising and reigning in triumph and glory.
Setbacks and disappointments are the way of life now, “as far as the curse is found.” But the time has come and is coming that Christ is the light of the world. Don’t ask Lucy or Dear Abby for help, don’t consult the dead. Don’t forget God. Repent and turn back to Him, seek Him and His kingdom, and everything else will be added onto you. Rest in His peace and promise and hope: the birth, life, death, and victory of Jesus.