Isaiah 53:1 Who has believed our message
and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?

This chapter of Isaiah is perhaps the pinnacle of the “suffering servant” Messianic prophecies, yet few indeed accepted or understood it before Jesus’ resurrection. No wonder Isaiah starts out with “Who has believed what we have heard?” (That’s how the Japanese expresses it.) This actually is the cry of everyone who hears from the Lord, because when we try to share, so few seem to believe. However, it is ultimately a question of God’s revelation and man’s willingness to accept and receive. A recent study has backed up what Paul said in Romans 1:20. (For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities – his eternal power and divine nature – have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.) The researchers said that we seem to be hard-wired to believe in Deity, to the point that avowed “atheists” are really just playing games and fooling themselves, if they are really doing even that. This agrees with what Solomon said about God having “placed eternity in the hearts of men.” (Ecclesiastes 3:11) That said, it is still up to each individual whether they will believe the particulars of what God has revealed about Himself, and choose to submit themselves to Him. Actually, it is that last thing that is the sticking point: we don’t like to submit! This brings us to the strong words God spoke to Ezekiel about personal responsibility. If Ezekiel would be faithful to transmit what God spoke to him, then all responsibility would be on his hearers, but if he failed to speak, then responsibility for their destruction would rest on him. (Ezekiel 3 and Ezekiel 33) That brings us back to this verse. The answer to the question expressed in it is that we often don’t know. Some hear and forget, yes, but some hear and remember years later and believe then. A friend of mine spent all night talking to his younger brother about Christ, before leaving for another continent the next morning, and didn’t know until some time later that his brother actually had believed. Immediate feedback is nice, but we aren’t to rely on it, but rather on the One who gave us the message in the first place.

This is the story of my life. I have ministered to people from another country and seen little effect, only to find out later that they made a full commitment to Christ when they returned to their home country. Likewise, I have had someone tell me that something I said to them over 20 years earlier had completely changed their life and ministry, (he was a pastor) but I had been completely unaware of it. I am to be faithful to speak the truth in love, whatever response I see or don’t see. I was given a Word from the Lord quite a few years ago that someday I would see my spiritual children on every street corner. I haven’t seen that yet, but I couldn’t make it happen in my own strength in any case, so I am to walk in daily obedience and leave the results to God.

Father, thank You for this reminder. Thank You that You know my emotional/physical/spiritual tiredness better than I do, and that Your grace is sufficient for me. (2 Corinthians 12:9) Help me rest, relax, and rejoice in You indeed, trusting You on every level, so that Your will may be done in and through me on Your schedule for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!