“For a brief moment I deserted you, but with great compassion I will gather you. In overflowing anger for a moment I hid my face from you, but with everlasting love I will have compassion on you,” says the LORD, your Redeemer.” — Isaiah 54:4
Why do seasons I want to put behind me linger longest? Why can’t I just enjoy the sweetness of spring without the tinge of the bitter? March marches in budding trees and greening grass but also the air of something familiar—grief. Lingering grief. Time heals but time does not erase. Pain doesn’t feel momentary. Pain is life altering.
The baby we lost 5 years ago to a missed miscarriage in March echos grief observed in the beauty that is spring. Our baby was only 7 weeks old—but I imagine that perhaps it was a little girl. As the hyacinths sprout and tulips grow, I remember the little life we lost and procedure I didn’t want because her heart had ceased beating. Through the years spring has held its measure of griefs observed—death as well as rejections. Spring doesn’t always feel hopeful to me, but rather reminds me of wilderness times when I felt deserted, confused, and lost. Grief makes me feel unrecognizable—even to myself.
Yet this week, as I read through Isaiah 54, God reminded me of some timeless truths deeper than my pain. God’s steadfast love will not depart from me. God covenants peace and it will not be removed. I am showered in compassion—upheld by God’s steadfast love. Those weighty wilderness seasons I have known and that hold lingering grief even now are overlaid with the hope and promises of my very good and faithful God.
In past seasons when rejection stung and I felt abandoned and worthless, God says that He is my Maker, my husband—the Lord of hosts is his name (Isa. 54:5).
In past seasons of shame and guilt, when the weight of sin has felt insurmountable, God says that He is my Redeemer (Isa. 54:6).
In past seasons when I felt overlooked and forgotten, God says that he, the LORD, has called me (Isa. 54:6).
In past seasons that are painfully endless, God says affliction is momentary (Isa. 54:8).
Painful seasons are a reminder that not all is right with this world. This side of eternity is not perfect. All seasons hold both the sweet and the bitter. Yet God, through His Word, promises He is doing something new. Friend, God has NEVER broken a promise. In Christ we have unshakable hope and a beautiful inheritance that will not disappoint or leave us shamed—without comfort. Seasons can be hard and long, yes, but God promises He will never leave or forsake us (Heb. 13:5). He also assures us that one day, all that is so terribly wrong in this world will be made right. God is our eternal refuge and peace—now and forevermore.
Some seasons painfully linger—but God is standing at the ready with everlasting love for us. God redeems. God saves. God calls. God gathers us. God is peace. God’s Word is faithful—sure. Seasons come and seasons go—but not God. God is forever. God is making all things new. Beautiful things. Unbroken and unbreakable things. Righteous things. Eternal things. That day is coming.
