There is much in modern society that would tend to force the eyes of man downward in despair. Perhaps personal experience of some disastrous nature has affected your outlook on life. Gloom, despondency, oppression, or even desperation has laid a wintry grip on your shoulder. Everything in your view seems to confirm that God has abandoned you.


The nation of Israel might well have suffered such despondency when godly Isaiah prophesied their future captivity in Babylon. All would be carried away. “Nothing will be left” (Isaiah 39:6). But the beautiful 40th chapter of Isaiah follows with God’s message of hope: “Comfort, comfort my people” (v. 1).


In that same chapter Isaiah says to the desolate, “Lift your eyes to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one, and calls them each by name” (v. 26). Just look at the sky on a clear night. Marvel at God’s creation, and dwell on the fact that He knows every star by name. Can you possibly imagine that He would forget yours?