the God Who carries

“Listen to me, O house of Jacob,

all the remnant of the house of Israel,

who have been borne by me from before your birth,

carried from the womb;

even to your old age I am he,

and to gray hairs I will carry you.

I have made, and I will bear;

I will carry and will save.”

Isaiah 46:3-4

When God planned to make of Israel His chosen people, His covenant love was not contingent upon them. It is unconditional. He loved and cared for Israel before they were born as a nation. He carried the nation even as they were just a promise to Abraham... not even yet conceived in Sarah’s womb. He carried them in His faithfulness to Isaac and Jacob. He carried them as twelve tribes grew into a numerous and unique people of God in Egypt. He carried them as Moses led them out of Egyptian slavery. He carried them as they struggled against the Lord in the wilderness. He carried them as Joshua led them through to conquer the Promised Land. He carried them through oppression as judges delivered the people. He carried them under king Saul, king David, and king Solomon. He carried them as civil war split the nation in two for generations. God carried Israel even when Assyria wiped out the Northern Kingdom and Babylon led Judah captive. He carried them when Jerusalem was resettled and the exiles came home. He carried them through until John the Baptist preached a new kingdom that was coming. He carried them as Jesus was born, preached, healed, and died for the nation.

The God Who is still keeping His promises to Israel is also in covenant through Christ with believers. He loves us too before we ever loved Him, sending His Son to take our death upon Himself so that we can have eternal life in Jesus. He redeemed us when we were slaves to sin. He saved us although we were His enemies who still tend to wander away. He gives us life in a world filled with deadly peril and oppression. He gives us victory over slavery, over the power of the grave, over the power of sin, and has made for us a place in His Father’s house in heaven. He is carrying us with a firm guarantee that we will be at Jesus’ side when He returns to rule this earth. Truly God has carried His people in His hands and heart! Truly He carries us even now! And most assuredly, He will always carry us for His glory and our good! Amen!