SCRIPTURE: Isaiah 52:1-12
OBSERVATION:
Isaiah is speaking to the captives in Babylon, reminding them of their past trials (Egypt, Assyria), but urges them to “wake up” from their depressed slumber and anticipate the Lord’s power and salvation on their behalf. The Lord is predicting that He will come to rescue and restore His covenant people.
A call to start praising the Lord already now, even before He shows up in power, to join in with the messenger in declaring the good news, ‘God reigns!’ (despite what you see).
A call to remain true to the Lord in Babylon (touch no unclean thing), for the time will come when they will leave their exile in peace (unlike Israel’s escape from Egypt, which was in haste), without fear for God will go ahead of them to show them the way, and follow after them to protect them.
APPLICATION:
Whenever I am in the ‘valley’ of despair, I need to remind myself that the Lord will come through in the end. He has been with me in the past, He will be there in the future!
For this reason, I should praise God even before He shows up, declare by faith that the Lord reigns (despite what I see). I will see the Lord’s victory with my own eyes (v.8, see Job 19:25-27), therefore I should join with others in singing for joy – even before it happens, by faith!
There is great comfort in know that the Lord is with me, behind me and before me, I cannot escape His loving, protective eye (see Psalm 139:1-12).
PRAYER:
Lord, grant me this kind of faith that boldly declares Your victory and salvation before I actually see it. When I am slumbering in despair, give me the strength to burst into songs of joy, because I know that You reign! Amen.
How do you find relief? Jesus Christ is the answer. He provides for our salvaton by His precious blood. The Good News is that He reigns! I need to also shout this Good News, keeping myself from the ‘pollutions’ of this world. This Good News is for all those who hear. Do not linger under the bondage of sin but enjoy the freedom in Christ Jesus. He will take care of you. We are under His special protection. As a shepherd leads His sheep, my God will continue to be my Guide, my Protector, my Master. I need not fear because He will take care of me, only trust and obey.
Lord I lift your name on high; Lord I love to sing your praises
I’m so glad your in my life, I’m so glad you came to save us
You came from heaven to earth to show the way
From the earth to the cross my debt to pay
From the cross to the grave from the grave to the sky,
Lord I lift your name on high
Lord I lift your name on high, Lord of wonder and salvation
With our voice we magnify, God of every generation