Wednesday, March 24, 2004
Lenten Fast
The Hieromartyr Parthenios
6th Hour: Isaiah 41:4-14 1st Vespers: Genesis 17:1-9 2nd Vespers: Proverbs 15:20-16:9
Isaiah 41:4-14, especially vs. 14: "Fear not, you worm Jacob, you men of Israel! I will help you, says
the Lord; your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel." During an intense persecution of the newly formed churches in Asia
Minor, the Apostle Peter wrote to encourage the besieged churches, reminding them: "you are a chosen generation, a royal
priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people...who once were not a people but are now the people of God" (1 Pet.
2:9,10). Beloved of Christ, as they were, so are we, "the People of God."
Today's reading from Isaiah is much like St. Peter's letter. Both were inspired of God to encourage His people. Both were
written when enemies were contending against them. Both assured God's People that, since they were chosen of God, the
Lord would help and redeem them in every contingency; they were not to fear but to trust in Him. Let us likewise take
courage from the fact that we are true members of the chosen people of God, and let us heed the message of the Holy
Prophet Isaiah: other peoples depend on alliances, we should not, for God is with us. Those who strive against us will be as
nothing, for God Himself shall help and redeem us.
Like his contemporaries, Isaiah knew what was troubling the various nations of the Mediterranean coast lands - fear caused
by the successive invasions and conquests of great empires to the east of them out of Mesopotamia, from the lands between
the Tigris and Euphrates rivers (Is. 41:5). So as a Prophet, Isaiah posed the Lord's question to the chosen People in the land
of Judah: "Who has performed and accomplished these invasions, calling into existence the successive generations of these
empires from the beginning of history?" (vs. 4). To this question he gave God's answer: "I, the Lord, the first, and with the
last; I Am He" (vs. 4).
Then the Lord examined the means by which the peoples of the coast lands were responding to these threats: "Every one
helps his neighbor, and says to his brother, 'Take courage!'" (vs. 6). They rely upon alliances, calling on their idols to save
them. Their craftsmen and artisans make beautiful idols and temples, "and they fasten it with nails so that it cannot be
moved" (vs. 7). They rely, in other words, on human effort and human religion to save them.
However, the source of courage for the chosen People in every circumstance is our God Who has chosen us and made us
heirs of His promises to Abraham (vs. 8). Beloved of God, no matter what befalls us, let us heed the word of the Lord
through His Prophet Isaiah: "You are My servant, I have chosen you and not cast you off; fear not, for I Am with you" (vss.
9,10).
Do we feel weak? He says to us, "I Am your God; I will strengthen you" (vs. 10). Let us not run about frantically looking
for help, but let us pray to the Lord Who says, "I will help you" (vs. 10). Events throw us into predicaments that threaten
defeat; but God assures us, "I will uphold you with My victorious right hand" (vs. 10). We have a mighty God Who can
take us through everything in this life. Our worst enemies are our own fears and the whisperings of the evil one who
coaxes us to fear, to give up faith, and to trust in human solutions.
Here is what God promises to His chosen People: the powers of the evil one "who are incensed against you shall be put to
shame" by Him (vs. 11). The so-called invincible forces of life that "strive against you shall be as nothing and shall perish"
(vs. 11). Sickness, 'the system,' rising prices, loss of loved ones or income, all that wars "against you shall be as nothing at
all" if you realize that the true battle is in your heart for your allegiance and faith. If we allow God to "hold our right hand,"
even though we feel like a worm (vss. 13,14), He Who has chosen us stands with us always: "I will help you, says the Lord;
your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel."
Help us; save us; have mercy on us; and keep us, O God, by Thy grace.
