Isaiah has words of encouragement as we await the LORD's return and navigate these difficult times during which the forces of evil are growing in power.
Isaiah 64:4 "For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him."
Most often I have heard this verse used in reference to what is in store for us in heaven, and I am sure that is a valid statement. In context, however, the prophet is speaking of the conditions on planet earth that will accompany the return of the Messiah as King.
Paul quotes this verse in 1Corinthians.
1Corinthians 2:9 "But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him."
An excerpt from that journal might be appropriate here.
Notice that as Paul quotes the prophet Isaiah, he changes the word “waiteth” to “love.” That tells me that the two are interconnected since the same Holy Spirit breathed the words to both men. Love involves waiting and endurance. The root word for waiteth includes the idea of carving and entrenchment. That seems to be referencing a strong commitment, fortifying oneself to stay the course no matter what. This ties in with the truth of love presented in 1Corinthians 13:4—Charity suffereth long…. The words charity and love are the same in the Greek—agape/agapao. It takes unconditional love, a love of choice, to patiently endure even when the going gets really tough and we don’t understand why God is allowing certain things to happen in our life.
The Hebrew for heard states “to hear intelligently, understand.” “Perceived by the ear” is a reference only to listening. Every teacher knows that a student can hear without understanding. The point seems to be that only God knows what He has prepared for those that wait on Him. Everything that God does is good; every provision He makes is abundant. Those who choose to be faithful and wait on the LORD, even when circumstances are difficult and hard to endure, will be blessed beyond imagination.
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