ISAIAH 42:14-17 "For along time I have kept silent, I have been quiet and held myself back. But now, like a woman in childbirth, I cry out, I gasp and pant. I will lay waste the mountains and hills and dry up all their vegetation; I will turn the rivers into islands and dry up the pools. I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them. But those who trust in idols, who say to images, 'You are our gods,' will be turned back in utter shame."
People had turned their backs on God and were hurting - notice, they turned away from God. I kind of looked at this as "be careful what you ask for." God remained silent and the people suffered for their choices. The verses speak of God's great power - but focus on the promise that is here - God promises to guide them, to make the rough places smooth, and to not forsake them. He promises to deliver them, but it requires their faith and obedience. We are the blind - and he will often take us along paths that we are not familiar with, but He can see the end - we can not. He requires faith and obedience. The last verse is a warning - unfortunately it is a warning few heed even today. Our world is full of gods, just watch the television for a few minutes and you will be swarmed with what we worship.
The take away - God will not forsake us, even when we turn away from Him. Things happen in God's timing, not ours. There are times we will suffer for our rejection of God's Will, but he is always there for us. The only thing God can not do is force us to choose Him over everything, that is a choice we must make.
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