Introduction

The Lord had placed a message firmly in my heart, but immediately following it my week turned really rough, and I was under immense spiritual attack. This is not unusual for me. It began with a cut in my eye that caused significant pain, and at the same time my heart began to burn with anticipation. The Lord spoke to me repeatedly, telling me not to look with my physical eyes, but to see with my heart and spirit what He was doing.

Although my situation consumed much of my time, it also gave me space to pray deeply. It became clear to me that there was resistance—someone did not want me here and did not want the word of the Lord spoken. Even so, though I could not see properly, that was okay. The Lord was writing His message clearly in my heart and mind.

On Thursday morning, I rose at dawn for prayer and worship and found no visible change in my eye. For a brief moment, I felt disappointment. I had hoped for healing or some sign of improvement. But the Lord immediately reminded me not to rely on what I see with my eyes, but to focus on what He is doing. As I reflected, I began to wonder if this mirrored the heart of our church over the past year.

The Israelites carried off into exile may have felt the same way. Their homeland lay in ruins. They were displaced, scattered, and discouraged by what they saw and heard. Even though they had received the word of the Lord, disappointment followed because their circumstances contradicted their expectations.

Perhaps some of you feel the same. You may still carry a sense of loss or disappointment because of what you have seen. Even with a new pastor, perhaps you wonder if you are being set up for another disappointment. This is not discernment or caution—this is despair. And despair is not the work of the Holy Spirit, who is the giver of hope.

It is to people in this very condition that God speaks through Isaiah. Isaiah 43 is a message of redemption, restoration, and hope.