"You who have been borne by me from your birth, carried from the womb; even to your old age I am he, even when you turn gray, I will carry you. I have made, and I will bear; I will carry and will save" (Isaiah 46:3-4).
Today, the forty-day Great Lent reflection culminates with a reminder of God's loving promise to us. God speaks to all those who are heavily burdened with the worries of this life, suffering from anxiety, passing through the furnace of pain and agony, and experiencing the weakness of their bodies and loneliness in aging. He who created us also promises to provide for us and protect us from the moment of conception in our mother's womb until our advanced years of aging.
God is with us throughout all the days of our lives. He sees our distress, He wipes our tears, He experiences our pain with us, and He listens to our pleadings and crying. In the midst of it all, He promises comfort to us, saying, "Even to your old age, I am He, even when you turn gray, I will carry you. I have made, and I will bear; I will carry and will save." (Isaiah 46:4)
Even if people neglect and ignore us, and others forsake us and do not care for us, know that God will never forsake or neglect us. He created us, and He will sustain us. He will provide for us and grant us salvation. The 4th century Church Father, Basil of Caesarea, says, "Come and let us be happy. Let us endure with patience all the things that the world throws at us, knowing that, especially at that hour, we are on God's mind."
Therefore, in all life's circumstances and conditions, whether neglected, hopeless, or worried, let us pray, recalling God's loving promise for us. Also, know with confidence that, at the hour of our most difficult circumstances, especially in our trials, we are on God's mind. Know and believe that He has promised to be with us all the days of our lives.
