Introduction
Where is God when I need Him? Isaiah examines the role need plays in driving some away from God, and others to God. Beginning with a condemnation of idolatry and unbelief (Isaiah 56:9-57:13), Isaiah records the heart of God towardsthe "man who makes me his refuge" (Isaiah 57:13) in a time of great need. God intends to heal a nation gone awry, but in Isaiah 57:14-19 we find a pathway for individuals who have damaged themselves with sin and seek relief and forgiveness.
I. Needs can drive me away from God (56:9-12; 57:10, 21)
Isaiah describes the destructive effects of sin on a person's relationship with God. Disoriented and crushed by the hurtful consequences of sin, a person will quickly begin looking for God in all the wrong places. More specifically, Isaiah characterizes spiritually disoriented persons as
Damaged (56:9-10a) "Israel's watchmen are blind, they all lack knowledge; they are all mute dogs, they cannot bark..."
Dreaming (56:10b) "they lie around and dream, they love to sleep."
Driven (56:11) "They are dogs with mighty appetites; they never have enough. They are shepherds who lack understanding; they all turn to their own way, each seeks his own gain."
Distracted (56:12) "Come," each one cries, "let me get wine! Let us drink our fill of beer! And tomorrow will be like today, or even far better."
Disappointed (57:10, 20-21) "You were wearied by all your ways... But the wicked are like the tossing sea, which cannot rest, whose waves cast up mire and mud. "There is no peace," says my God, "for the wicked."
II. Needs can draw me to God (57:14-19)
A. God clears a path for a needy person (57:14)
"And it will be said: 'Build up, build up, prepare the road! Remove the obstacles out of the way of my people.'"
B. God speaks to a needy person (57:15)
"For this is what the high and lofty One says..."
C. God reveals Himself to a needy person (57:15)
"For this is what the high and lofty One says-- he who lives forever, whose name is holy..."
D. God dwells with a needy person (57:15)
"I live in a high and holy place, but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit..."
E. God rebuilds the life of a needy person (57:15-19)
"...to revive the spirit of the lowlyand to revive the heart of the contrite... I have seen his ways, but I will heal him; I will guide him and restore comfort to him... and I will heal them."
Conclusion
What an awesome understanding of God! He is high and lifted up, but is attracted to me especially when I am "crushed" and beaten low by the damage of my own sin and the difficulties of life.
Where is God when I need Him? Isaiah 57:15 reveals that He dwells with the needy!
Illustration thumbnails
Looking for help in all the wrong places
"I seek help from people and things that can really help me. I do not seek help from imaginary beings that theists give credit to for doing something themselves. I find strength and help from: my children, family, and friends; laughter; meditation or biofeedback; adrenaline; (and) music."
(Blair Scott "Where do you turn for strength in times of crisis?," Atheism Awareness [online], cited 20 August 2002. Available on the Internet: http://atheismawareness.home.att.net/questions/crisis\_strength.htm)
Crushed into dust
The Hebrew word translated "contrite" in Isaiah 57:15 refers to something that has been crushed into dust or small pieces. This can be illustrated by the enormous amount of energy released in the collapse of the World Trade Center buildings. Much of the structure was ground and converted to dust as the structures collapased. The dust was composed of so much concrete and glass, that it posed an inhalation hazard for rescue and demolition personnel in the weeks that followed the 9/11 attacks.
(Abigail Beshkin "Damage to Buildings Near WTC Caused by Falling Debris and Air Pressure Wave, Columbia Seismologists Report," Columbia News [online], 20 November 2001 [cited 20 August 2002]. Available on the Internet: http://www.columbia.edu/cu/news/01/11/wtc\_seismic.html.; "Health Effects of the World Trade Center Collapse," U.S. Environmental Protection Agency [online], 29 July 2002 [cited 20 August 2002]. Available on the Internet: http://www.epa.gov/wtc/factsheets/wtchealth.html)
Bored in eternity?
Years ago as a college student, I held a job as a dishwasher in the university cafeteria. Each evening I worked alongside different international students. One night a fellow employee explained that he was a Buddhist. I shared the plan of salvation, explaining that when the Christian passes from this life he spends eternity in heaven. The young Buddhist said, "You believe that you will live forever if you are a Christian?" Eagerly I said "yes".
"Sounds very boring to me," the Buddhist replied.
I was dumbfounded! Why did my friend think eternity would be boring? Days later I realized I offered the young man eternal life without fully explaining that Jesus would be there. I needed to introduce him to Christ. Eternal life is not about living forever - it is about life in and with Christ that never grows old (John 17:3).