Isaiah 15 talks about the destruction of Moab. It’s a sad, almost depressing, chapter; there’s no hope. The last verse sounds like even the ones who survived the destruction of the city, the ones who fled, will be killed. 🙁
I think Moab was a big enemy of Israel, and they weren’t followers of God or anything. They kind of deserved this punishment. But still, it’s sad.
And apparently Isaiah felt the same way–or maybe it was God; I don’t know, it’s kind of confusing. Anyway, it says:
My heart shall cry out for Moab…
I pity Moab!…
Isaiah 15:5 (KJV, CEV)
The survivors were refugees, fleeing from their homes, carrying everything they had with them.
I was thinking about that, how Isaiah (or God) had pity on those refugees; he felt sorry for them; his heart cried out for them. And I wondered: do I have pity on refugees? Does my heart cry out for them? Do I want to help them, long for them to be safe and find a home and come to know God and feel His peace?
Let me tell ya, this world is filled with refugees. There’s people leaving their homes and countries–everything familiar–fleeing war or persecution. There’s people searching for someplace better than where they were. There’s people trying to find a place where they can just be at rest, not having to live in fear.
And you know what? Some of them aren’t literal refugees; some are spiritual refugees. Maybe they’re trying to find a better place, trying to find peace. Maybe they’re running from their past or from a not-so-good family life. Maybe they’re tired of the way things are, and are trying to find something that fills the hole inside.
And the only one who can really help is Jesus. He’s their safe place, their home, their peace, their provider–their everything!
Lord Jesus, break our hearts with what breaks Yours; let them cry out for the fugitives, the refugees, the ones who are searching for a home–literally or spiritually or both. May we always keep in mind that You were once a refugee too, and treat these searching souls like we would treat You. Amen.
