Trusting Against all Odds. Worship: October 22, 2023

Leaflets with information on people believed to have been captured by Hamas during its Oct. 7 raid into Israel are displayed outside the Israeli military headquarters in Tel Aviv.

Credit...Avishag Shaar-Yashuv for The New York Times

The most profound comfort lies in the assurance that God is always working out His purpose no matter the circumstances or the people. God’s saving purpose cannot be thwarted. Isaiah lived in an age of bad news and despair, but he was confident that God could overcome them all. In the short term, this redemption came through an unlikely messianic figure named Cyrus. At the appointed time, however, the true Messiah would come and save Israel and all who trust in Him. God is in charge—not just of the ups and downs of this world’s good and bad news but for the sake of His saving work. Jesus’ power is greater than every other power, and His saving purpose will prevail. This is our comfort.