Text: Isaiah 46:1-13, Isaiah 47:1-15, Psalm 71:17-19, Proverbs 19:21
I forgot a friend’s name the other day. She’s a real, live, good friend of mine. We’ve laughed together. We’ve cried together. We’ve lived near one another and far apart—and the other day I forgot her name. I was talking to someone about a conversation I’d had with my dear friend, and my mind just blanked. I felt like I was groping in the fog for something I knew the shape and form and content of intimately, but could not bring it to mind.
Have you ever felt like this with God? I have. I know His attributes, know His many names, know His Word, and yet I forget. I grope in the fog for some semblance of the God He seemed to be at other times in my life. But because I’ve missed His presence or it’s been a while since we’ve talked, I tend to forget Him and His character.
Isaiah 46 was given to a forgetting people from an unforgetting God. It was given to a people who had tried to be righteous and found themselves lacking. It was given to a people who had chosen their own opinions, their own gods, and their own ways over the God who had chosen them before the creation of the world. The people who were loved by God had forgotten Him, His ways, and His promises.
There have been so many times in my life when what I know of God—what I know to be true of Him—clashes with the murkiness of what my day-to-day life looks like. Many days my life seems to be at odds with the God I know, and I find myself doubting Him. I forget He’s good, and that my version of good cannot compare with His perfect knowledge of what truly is. I forget He is faithful, and that my version of faithfulness looks more like getting my own way instead of living according to His. I worship at the altar of today’s circumstances, thinking they’re the most important and most pressing of all.
Isaiah 46 reminds me that God is on His throne and was seated there even as these words were uttered by Isaiah, even in the midst of such a long wait, and even as I read them today. God is unchanging. His character is inscrutable. His faithfulness and goodness are everlasting. Even when I forget, He remains.
If you’re prone to forgetting—whether names of friends or your car keys or the one thing you forgot to put on your grocery list—like I am, let this be a reminder to you: God, in His perfection, has not forgotten you, and He has not forgotten the promises He’s made to His people. It’s human nature to forget, but He’s given us His Word to remind us again and again of who He is and what He’s promised, of what He’s done and will do, and of how He loves His children.
Lore Ferguson Wilbert is a writer, thinker, and learner. She blogs at Sayable, tweets @lorewilbert, and posts photos @loreferguson. She has a husband named Nate, a puppy named Harper Nelle, and too many books to read in one lifetime.
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43 thoughts on "The Fall of Babylon"
Thank you for this ministry! What a beautiful passage and reflection!
Such a beautiful reminder of how amazing and everlasting God is, even in the midst of forgetfulness on our part. I’ve had moments where I forget what power God holds in His hands and over my life. But not even short after, does He remind me of that same power. I am an engraved piece that can never be forgotten by Him. So are you. We may have our moments where we turn away and remember Earthly powers but God makes it a show to help us keep in mind who is the King and Creator.
Isaiah 46:12 – Listen to me, you stubborn-hearted, you who re now far from my righteousness.
Boy am I glad God does not simply write off the stubborn-hearted…the forgetful…the wanderer. These words weren’t for the “perfect” Jew (because let’s be real…that person didn’t really exist). Instead, God came through Isaiah to remind the imperfect people that He was still the same, and that He still loved them deeply regardless of their stubbornness. If God were a person, I think after generations of people turning from him, he would have walked away. Yet, God is not like us. He is God. He is eternal. He remembers us even when we are so ugly and turned around. He still speaks to us! To me….because more often than I’d like to admit, I am the stubborn one who has wandered far from His righteousness. Yet, God remains faithful. He pursues me still. He draws me back to Himself and starts chipping away at the hardness inside of me. Thank you Lord!
Yes! Thank you! ❤️
It´s been said many times that these chapters are tough to read, and come out with a clear understanding. In case you want to take a minute, The Bible Project made some amazing videos explaining the sequence and scope of Isaiah (and post-Isaiah in ch. 40-66!) that are free on youtube or in RightNowMedia in case you have an account there. Check them out. Here´s part 1: (Ch. 1-39) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d0A6Uchb1F8&list=PLzqvZvU_c95EXuOia1644oaxMzQof7UYN&index=39
I’m a big fan of the Bible Project videos too! They are so helpful in providing an overview of each book and its major themes. The two videos on Isaiah are especially helpful given the challenging nature of the book.
Thanks for this!!! I had been wishing for a summary because I felt a little lost after the first half of Isaiah! This helped a lot!
What a great resource! Thanks for sharing it.
The videos are super helpful. Thank you for the link!
Thanks so much! I didn’t know these existed!
Very cool
Glad that he is strong and unwavering in a world of temporary. His power is the only permanent – and His love. What a relief He has planned it and will do it.
Love this! In need of a strong and steady rock to hold onto.
Such a blessing to reflect on this today as I wait for God to fulfill his promises to me. When we are faithless, he remains forever faithful.
These two verses jumped out at me the most today:
Isaiah 46:4
“even to your old age I am He,
and to gray hairs I will carry you.
I have made, and I will bear;
I will carry and will save.”
(my heart melts a little at the thought of having gray hair and being carried…especially by Him).
And
Psalm 19:21
“Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.”
I needed this verse today. I’ve been struggling with “what’s next in my life, Lord?…I want to do Your will….what if I choose the wrong thing or don’t choose the best thing…” This verse is a reminder that even though I can think of a million things I could do and want to do, ultimately His purpose will stand, and that’s exactly what I want. He’s big enough to lead me back on track if need be.
I needed to read your thoughts on Psalm 19:21 this am. I struggle so often with what’s next? Am I doing what He wants me to be doing? I forget, in all my stewing and worrying, that He is big enough to lead me back on track, if only I spend time with Him in His word and am obedient.
I loved the visual of Isaiah 46:4 as well! Such a beautiful picture of the Lord’s steadfast faithfulness.
Amen! At times I feel like we worry out of habit. Ultimately when we leave it in Gods hands, seek him, and ask for his will to be done he works all things out for our good. God bless you sister.
Dear Ashlee, I am that one now with grey hair…your post touched my heart this morning…
And all the years I have walked and talked with Him, …yes, He holds our hand…gets us back on the path…gently, lovingly, patiently…through valleys, bumpy roads, turbulent waters…He is our Faithful Father…never judging but unconditionally picking us up & dusting us off and encouraging us to walk on..walk on…with HOPE in your heart and you’ll never walk alone!
This was a sweet balm to my heart, Joan. Thank you for it.
Thank you Joan, Amen. I am that one also.
This is beautiful, thank you ❤
Thank you! Yes…he’s big enough to bring me back on track! Amen!
Yes Ashlee, thank you! I’m beginning a new job, a vast change from my last career steps, and have been wondering how this fits into God’s plans for me. I needed this reminder to simply trust and walk with Him and allow His plans to be made known!
So many words here felt like they were taken right out of my mouth. Wow! So. Much. Goodness here. Thank you!
Same goes for me…right down to forgetting a friend’s name! Thank you Lore!