Be a Worm

Isaiah 41 is a chapter of grace. It reminds God's people that their God is in charge of the chaos around them. But there's an interesting word in verse 14 that Isaiah uses to refer to God's chosen people. See for yourself. 

Isaiah 41:14 (ESV) Fear not, you worm Jacob, you men of Israel! I am the one who helps you, declares the LORD; your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel.

God calls them a worm. Now that's funny to me because this is not exactly one of the commonly used descriptors of God's people and yet it shows up elsewhere in scripture. 

David in the Messianic Psalm says, 
Psalm 22:6 (ESV) But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by mankind and despised by the people.

What benefit do we gain by identifying ourselves as such lowly creatures? We get a true understanding of our powerlessness and our need for the all-powerful One. 

Notice the NIV's second title given to the people of God in this verse:
Isaiah 41:14 (NIV) Do not be afraid, O worm Jacob, O little Israel, for I myself will help you,” declares the LORD, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.

Ever felt small? That's good. You have a chance to look to God. It is when we feel big in ourselves that we miss the glory of God. That's what Israel would experience as Isaiah stipulates in the next verse.

Isaiah 41:15–16 (ESV) Behold, I make of you a threshing sledge, new, sharp, and having teeth; you shall thresh the mountains and crush them, and you shall make the hills like chaff; 16 you shall winnow them, and the wind shall carry them away, and the tempest shall scatter them. And you shall rejoice in the LORD; in the Holy One of Israel you shall glory.

God alone can make worms into warriors. And He does this so the world can see Him and not us. The challenges you face are overwhelming to you. But God can raise up power in you and through you to overcome them all. It is when we see ourselves as almost nothing that God gives us all things necessary to overcome anything. 

Isaiah 41:17 (ESV) 17 When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue is parched with thirst, I the LORD will answer them; I the God of Israel will not forsake them.

God now enunciates several promises in the next 4 verses of what He plans to do for those who see nothing in themselves. He will answer the poor seeking water. Verse 18 says He will make the wilderness full of water. Verse 19 says He will grow flourishing trees in the wilderness and all of this to make a very important point:

Isaiah 41:20 (ESV) that they may see and know, may consider and understand together, that the hand of the LORD has done this, the Holy One of Israel has created it.

All of this happens not so Israel can boast in who she is but so they may glory in who their God is. 

It's good to be a worm. For then we see the wonders of God. 




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