“As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you;” Isaiah 66.13
In this chapter, God seems to be looking at people’s hearts. He sees those who sacrifice with impure hearts and those who scoff at others, as well as the people who have their hearts set on him. It is to this last group that he speaks these words: just “as a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you”.
In this tender picture of God’s care, God is revealed as a mother comforting her child. The sentence is phrased in the singular, so it is not even about a mother with lots of children all vying for her attention, but is a picture of a mother pouring all her love and care on to one needy child.
It is so easy to think of ourselves as one amongst many; all trying to catch God’s attention and get him to notice us. However the truth is that each of us has God’s full and unique attention, which is as caring, protective and strong as that of a mother towards her child.
Take a moment to put yourself in this picture, without worrying about whether or not you are able to relate this image to your own mother. You are, right now, wrapped in the warm, tender, protective embrace of God. If you are hurt, he is with you to transform things; if you are happy, he wants to share in your happiness and if you are sad, he is there to listen.
