The question in Isaiah 50:2 is haunting. “Why was no one there when I came? Why did no one answer when I called?” When God call them, His people were nowhere to be found—they had stopped listening.
In the same verse, God asks why. Is it because you think I can’t help. “Is my hand too short to redeem you? Or do I lack the strength to deliver you?”
Israel’s absence was not physical. It was spiritual. Their hearts had wandered. They had looked to idols, to alliances with foreign nations, to anything but the God who had always been faithful. His hand was not too short to redeem. His strength had not weakened. Their trust had.
It’s easy to judge them—until we realize we do the same. God calls today, but we’re often too busy or too broken to respond. We scroll and strive, but we don’t stop to listen. We look for strength in ourselves, for comfort in entertainment, for answers in everything but Him.
Still, He calls. Gently. Faithfully. Not to shame, but to restore. Not to accuse, but to awaken. Maybe that’s what He’s doing right now—asking if you’ve drifted. Asking if you’ll return.
Remember, the arm of the Lord is still strong.
I’m Lonnie Davis, and these are thoughts worth thinking.