SCRIPTURE: Isaiah 33:1-24
OBSERVATION:
Isaiah sees the eventual downfall of their Assyrian oppressors. The sinners (those who are cruel, oppressive) will be defeated while the righteous (those who do what is right and just) will be restored.
Is this situation similar to how Europeans felt under Nazi oppressors. How the blacks felt during the civil rights movement. The Darfur refugees?
Amazing that Isaiah prays confidently despite not seeing the answer to his prayer yet.
God is a “consuming fire” to those who oppose Him (14, see Hebrews 12:28-29).
Compare this vision of the restored Jerusalem (vv.20-24) with Revelation 21: the New Jerusalem established (20), the Lord ruling in her midst (21), the river of life (21), no more war (21), no more sickness (24), no more sin or guilt (24).
APPLICATION:
Would I have this kind of faith if I was living in this situation?
Do I not think much about God’s final kingdom because (compared to others) I live in a very safe, comfortable world, I am too much at home in the world?
Do I see the events of today through the same lens as Isaiah, to believe that God is ruling through and despite the powers that be.
Do I “fear” God. Not in a negative way but in a positive way. A better word for “fear” might be “respect” or “reverence”, but do these words miss something too? I think of the #499 in the Psalter Hymnal, “O how I fear You, living God, with deepest, tenderest fears.” (v.3).
Does this relate to my day-to-day spiritual battle? I am being oppressed by my spiritual enemy, I do not have peace as I battle sin, temptation, doubts, sickness, guilt, etc. Like Isaiah, I long for God to intervene.
PRAYER:
Lord, help me to believe in You in my little battles, and to not give in to despair when things seem to go wrong. You are God, You are good, You are in charge, You will sets things right, ONE DAY! O Lord, be gracious to me, I long for You. Be my strength every morning, my salvation in time of distress! Amen.
Observation:
I was struck by the contrasts in this passage. Things that ought to be have been reversed.
Brave men cry in their streets, ambassadors of peace weep bitterly, highways are desolate, there are no more travellors. The land becomes a desert and lose their foliage. Chaff and stubble are produced instead of harvest. The people are surrounded by people with unknown languages.The base of the boat cannot hold its mast, it is unable to set out its sails. This is the reality of Israel now in captivity.
But the writer encourages the reader that there is still hope within this season of barreness. “The destroyer … will be destroyed” “He who walks righteously, who speaks with sincerity, who rejects unjust gain … will dwell on the heights, his refuge will be the impregnable rock. His bread will be given to him, his water will be sure.”
“Your eyes will see the king in his beauty” “You will no longer see a fierce people”
“Look upon Zion … your eyes will see Jerusalem” “the Majestic One, the Lord shall be for us” ” The Lord is our Judge … our lawgiver … our King … He will save us”
Application:
Sometimes, I feel that everything is backwards in my life. My thoughts, my efforts, my circumstances crowd in and I wonder what has happened here? As someone shared with me yesterday, they felt like a piece of glass shattered and their lives are in pieces all around them.
But the reality that I have to constantly remind myself is that my Lord and Saviour does not change and He is still King and He is still in control even when my emotions and circumstances try to convince me otherwise. He can pick up those broken pieces and create a beautiful stained glass masterpiece and let His beauty shine through again. I will not always feel this way … my eyes will “see the King in His beauty” again and in the meantime I just have to focus on Him, despite this barren land, and snuggle up in refuge of the rock of ages. He is my strength, He is my Deliverer … I will wait on Him!
Prayer:
Lord, thank you for reminding me of your presence in my life. Sometimes when I look around me, my eyes are blind to where hope may be. But you abide in my heart and I am thankful that the eyes of my heart rest not on circumstances but on your abiding love for me. Thank you Lord – I love you.