Earlier today, I read the account detailing the four Israeli prisoners who had been returned to Israel.  These four had been taken as hostages when an enemy stormed their homes on October 7^th.  As consumers of media, we have continued to read the articles, accounts of those returned and those who remain as hostages.  This morning, what captured my mind were these facts:

1. One returned was the youngest, a mere child, a baby.
2. One returned was the older brother of the baby, a child.
3. One returned was the oldest hostage taken, a man of eighty-three.
4. One returned was “thought to be” the mother of the two children, but the person was NOT the boys’ mother.  DNA proved this to be true.
5. All returned were transported to Tel Aviv in the Red Cross ambulances, and all four were housed within their coffins, for all four individuals were deceased.

While reading the news article, my heart was filled with many emotions, and my mind settled upon one solitary thought—The LORD knew these four by name!

The prophet Isaiah was commissioned by God to go.

• To tell the people there was Hope.
• To proclaim the coming judgment of the LORD.
• To share how they would be restored to their true homeland.
• To remind the people how justice would come through a baby—The Child Immanuel.

The prophet accepts his commission and goes into the world to proclaim the truth of God.

Trials come, turmoil creates obstacles, and still the remnant believes the word of God.

• Warring enemies are used by God for His good.
• Warring enemies are judged, while obstacles are moved by the hand of the Almighty.
• Songs of praise are lifted.
• Songs of trust in God’s protection are sung.

Israel is delivered & Judah and Jerusalem are warned.

The remnant of believers is reminded:  Help will not come through the nations but through God.

• So much occurs throughout the years of Isaiah’s prophecy to the people.
• Some are destroyed.
• Some are saved.

The Greatness of God is proclaimed, even in the midst of the awful moments of life.

We are reminded how we cannot change—

• The parents to whom we are born,
• The family to whom we were given, or
• The place where we were placed within this world.

However, we can change our eternal destiny—

In WHOM we believe & WHERE we will spend our eternity.

• We read how the people are blind to the truth the prophet proclaims.
• We read how the people will not listen.

Then we come to the passage detailing how Israel is redeemed.

“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;

[believer, insert our name]

And through the rivers, they will not overflow you.”

“When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched,

[Christian, insert our name]

Nor will the flame burn you.”

“For I am the LORD your God,

[the FATHER, the LORD, the CREATOR of all people]

[redeemed child of the King of kings, HE speaks reminding us by our individual names]

The Holy One of Israel, Your Savior;”

• We grieve life that is unnecessarily taken.
• We grieve, but we are not without Hope.

Bad thoughts and temptations may take hold of us.

Yet when they manifest into unsavory actions causing us inner-turmoil—

Through the Holy Spirit’s direction, we can get back to the center—to God’s love, recalling EXACTLY what HE did for each one of us!

In our remembrance of Christ Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection—we are reminded.

The apostle Paul proclaimed to the believers in Corinth, the city filled with sin, promiscuity, and idolatry: