Dealing With An Uncertain Economy, Unemployment, Depression, Loneliness
Many of us are facing adversity from many fronts. Some of us are dealing with unemployment. Some are going to work, knowing that job cuts will happen but do not know if they will be in the group that will be laid off. Some of us face other battles like loneliness, betrayal, depression, obsession, illness. The possibilities are numerous. But I’m here to tell you for the believers of God The Father, for the believers of Jesus Christ the Son (our Savior), the adversity is but a minute and the outcome is favorable to us who believe.
The bible shares many promises our Lord God has made to us, the children of Zion (Israel), the children of Abraham (those who confess Jesus as Lord and Savior). And before I share a specific scripture, understand that many times people fuss over whether to take scripture literally or figuratively. And even in taking it figuratively many misinterpret the meaning. But the verses I will share, no matter how interpreted are loaded with the unshakable, unstoppable promise of victory and protection by God and granted to us that are saved (believers that Jesus Christ is our Access To God). Here is Isaiah 54, followed by my interpretation of God’s uplifting words:
Isaiah 54
1 “Sing, O barren woman,
you who never bore a child;
burst into song, shout for joy,
you who were never in labor;
because more are the children of the desolate woman
than of her who has a husband,”
says the LORD.
2 “Enlarge the place of your tent,
stretch your tent curtains wide,
do not hold back;
lengthen your cords,
strengthen your stakes.
3 For you will spread out to the right and to the left;
your descendants will dispossess nations
and settle in their desolate cities.
4 “Do not be afraid; you will not suffer shame.
Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated.
You will forget the shame of your youth
and remember no more the reproach of your widowhood.
5 For your Maker is your husband—
the LORD Almighty is his name—
the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer;
he is called the God of all the earth.
6 The LORD will call you back
as if you were a wife deserted and distressed in spirit—
a wife who married young,
only to be rejected,” says your God.
7 “For a brief moment I abandoned you,
but with deep compassion I will bring you back.
8 In a surge of anger
I hid my face from you for a moment,
but with everlasting kindness
I will have compassion on you,”
says the LORD your Redeemer.
9 “To me this is like the days of Noah,
when I swore that the waters of Noah would never again cover the earth.
So now I have sworn not to be angry with you,
never to rebuke you again.
10 Though the mountains be shaken
and the hills be removed,
yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken
nor my covenant of peace be removed,”
says the LORD, who has compassion on you.
11 “O afflicted city, lashed by storms and not comforted,
I will build you with stones of turquoise, [a]
your foundations with sapphires. [b]
12 I will make your battlements of rubies,
your gates of sparkling jewels,
and all your walls of precious stones.
13 All your sons will be taught by the LORD,
and great will be your children’s peace.
14 In righteousness you will be established:
Tyranny will be far from you;
you will have nothing to fear.
Terror will be far removed;
it will not come near you.
15 If anyone does attack you, it will not be my doing;
whoever attacks you will surrender to you.
16 “See, it is I who created the blacksmith
who fans the coals into flame
and forges a weapon fit for its work.
And it is I who have created the destroyer to work havoc;
17 no weapon forged against you will prevail,
and you will refute every tongue that accuses you.
This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD,
and this is their vindication from me,”
declares the LORD.
In reading Isaiah 54, understand that God is saying that even though we face trials, that we must believe in His promise. He is saying that it may seem that He has abandoned us because things look, feel, sound so bad but He is right there beside us, over us, and in us at ALL times. He is omnipresent. Isaiah 54:1
suggest we sing out of joy, even during the midst of a storm. “Sing, O barren woman,
you who never bore a child;
burst into song, shout for joy,
you who were never in labor;
because more are the children of the desolate woman
than of her who has a husband,”
says the LORD
Read the following verses to understand why. Isaiah 54:3 tells us that we need to raise our level of expectancy. Stretch our faith, our minds because God is doing things our minds can not fathom.
3 For you will spread out to the right and to the left;
your descendants will dispossess nations
and settle in their desolate cities.
Isaiah 54:5 says the Lord is our Husband.
5 For your Maker is your husband—
the LORD Almighty is his name—
the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer;
he is called the God of all the earth.
In other words, He is our provider. He will take care of us. Yes, I know you may be suffering financially. But the job and paycheck are vehicles, tools that God uses to bless you so you may bless others. So trust in the Lord. For He just told you in Isaiah 54:5 that He is your husband, your provider! Amen! Verse 54: 9 and 10 God is telling us He will never rebuke us again. And He is telling you that His love is unfailing and that his covenant/promise of peace will not be removed!
9 “To me this is like the days of Noah,
when I swore that the waters of Noah would never again cover the earth.
So now I have sworn not to be angry with you,
never to rebuke you again.
10 Though the mountains be shaken
and the hills be removed,
yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken
nor my covenant of peace be removed,”
says the LORD, who has compassion on you.
Hallelujah. Read verses 11-15. These are powerful scriptures. God is saying yes you will go through storms, but they will be used to shape you, to strengthen you, to redirect you. And after the storm, the Lord God will build you up so that you are better than you were before the storm. Everything (good or bad) is used for the betterment of His kingdom. He even says your children’s peace will be great. Since I’m a mother, I love God’s promise that my childrens’ peace will be great. I believe it and know His word can not return void! Isaiah 54:15 tells us that if you are attacked it is not by God. But God will make your attacker suffer. 15 If anyone does attack you, it will not be my doing;
whoever attacks you will surrender to you.
Isaiah 54:17 no weapon formed against you will prevail. God is telling you that any tongue that accuses you, or starts lies and rumors, any gossip said about you, you will prove them to be wrong! God says in verse 17 that these promises and blessings and protection are inherited by His servants, the saved Christians.
17 no weapon forged against you will prevail,
and you will refute every tongue that accuses you.
This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD,
and this is their vindication from me,”
declares the LORD.
To experience these promises firsthand, you must believe that Jesus Christ is your only Access To God. If you do not believe it, then all these promises do not belong to you!
Let me encourage you to be strong during the storms. Be faithful! Look to God as your husband your provider! Because He told you He is. Know that He will never forsake you! Know that your enemies will suffer, know that you will prevail! In Jesus mighty, powerful, redeeming, enlightening, loving, perfect, Holy, majestic, overcoming, victorious name! If you are not saved (have not confessed Jesus as your Lord and Savior), please check out our salvation frequently asked questions. If you need prayer, look at our page on toll free (24 hour) prayer lines.
God Bless you!
Tayarisha Joyce (walking in Love)