Devotional:Know God’s History: Isaiah 51:1-3

“Listen to me, you who pursue righteousness, who seek the LORD: Look to the rock from which you were hewn and to the quarry from which you were dug” (Isa. 51:51).

Lately, I have been seeing several posts on Facebook that decry the lack of the descendants of Black/African slaves in the history books used in public education. These posts generally claim that certain events in which violence was used to slow and destroy the advancements of the now freed slaves were omitted from the books. This was done to keep Black folk ignorant of the wrongs that have been done and continues to be done to the descendants of slaves. How does it help Black people to know about the evil done to them? Would it not help Black people more if they were more knowledgeable of the victories gained by Blacks in a society that was hostile toward them?

In Isaiah 51 the Lord continues to speak to the exiles in Babylon through the prophet Isaiah. God had sent them into exile because of their sins; especially idolatry. It is now the appointed time for God to return His people to their homeland in Judah and Jerusalem. The day of their punishment is ended. The people are to trust the Lord their God for a better future. Although they have experienced cruelty and felt abandoned they can be sure that the Lord’s promise to bring them home is certain.

Instead of the exiles focusing on their misfortunes, they are to remember the God who made them into a nation. Instead of remembering the evil of kings like Manasseh, they are to remember their foreparents Abraham and Sarah. God called Abraham and Sarah when they were too old to give birth to a child. God blessed them and gave them a son Isaac the father of Jacob, the father of the twelve tribes of Israel. Just as God blessed Abraham and Sarah he would bless the exiles.

I can have hope for the future because God has a history of blessing His people, those that have faith in Him.

Prayer: Lord thank you for all that you do to give us a better future. Amen