By Lindsay Schlegel

“Thus says the Lord: “In a time of favor I have answered you, in a day of salvation I have helped you.” ~ Isaiah 49:8

In today’s first reading, the Lord offers a litany of promises. Prisoners and those in darkness will no longer hunger or thirst. Harsh weather will not afflict them. They will find themselves led by springs of water. Those struggling will be comforted with the Lord’s compassion.

Good in theory

All this can seem abstract to a contemporary reader, since many of us take the things the Lord promises here for granted. We have electricity to count out darkness, we have grocery stores full of food and water to sustain us. We have homes and cars to make the weather a non-issue for ordinary daily tasks and travel.

Of course the meaning of this passage runs more deeply than the practical level, but when those things are relatively easy to come by, that more profound message can lose its power.

God is providing for you right now

That we have access to light, food, water, shelter, and transportation is a gift from God. He has already provided these things for us, without our really seeing it. And He is capable of so much more.

St. Teresa of Ávila said, “You pay God a compliment by asking great things of Him.” God knows what He’s capable of. He knows what He wants to do in our lives. But sometimes we forget, or the challenges of this life cause us to doubt what God can do or His willingness to do it.

We can trust the Lord. He keeps His promises. If He says He will provide for us, in the little things and the big things, we can believe that He will. Even when we don’t see it, He already is.

Prayer:

God, my Father, help me to see You in the ways You provide for me today. Open my eyes and my heart to Your goodness, that I may share it with someone who needs it. Amen.

Call to Action:

Make a list of ten things God has provided for you today. This evening, make another list. Give thanks for all these precious gifts and those you aren’t yet aware of.

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