SCRIPTURE: Isaiah 54
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
For your Maker is your husband– the Lord Almighty is his name– the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; he is called the God of all the earth. [Isaiah 54:5]
Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you. [Isaiah 54:10]
Isaiah compares God’s love and commitment to Israel with a marriage covenant.
God’s love is unfailing, it cannot be shaken even by cosmic upheaval or crisis.
In other words, when there is cosmic upheaval or crisis, even then His love is firm.
Not even Israel’s sin broke His love and commitment – yes, there was a time when His love was tough, when He had no choice but to discipline them – but His love was still firm.
I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. [Matthew 5:18]
In a day when wedding vows mean less and less, when promises are made then broken, we can have confidence in God’s ‘marriage’ vow – we have His word!
These words of Jesus mean more than that the scriptures are true, they mean that God’s purpose is firm.
Every word – the smallest letter, the least stroke of the then – expresses the heart and mind of God, His unfailing love and His covenant of peace.
Through all the trials and challenges of life, the Lord reassures us of His love and commitment.
The day is coming when we will experience healing, restoration, peace, joy – that is what He is working towards.
It is not as if God abandoned us; we abandoned Him and are now lost in a wilderness of misery.
But as we struggle through this wilderness of misery, we think back to God’s commitment for us, His unfailing love, and we are encouraged to move back towards Him.
We left God, He did not leave us; He will not leave us, He is working His way back to us.
We have His word, and that cannot fail.
We have His love, and that cannot be shaken.
PRAYER:
Lord, it is good for me to hear this, that even though my love is shallow and my commitment is weak, Your love and commitment will stand the test of time – nothing will separate me from Your love!
God is the Redeemer King. After being Redeemed He remembers the sins of our youth no longer, but will expand our territory. His compassion is very great. That was His promise of long ago and even though the earth shakes and trembles, His ever present love is with His people.
The Lord Almighty will restore His Kingdom. Those taught by God will have peace and nothing to fear. The redeemed will have nothing to fear for the Lord God overcomes all. The evil will not prevail. By God’s power and in His might, Hie people overcome. God’s Kingdom will be restored. His Kingdom is being restored today by His servants but one day it will be restored in full. Our God reigns! And since He reigns I go forward each day in His power. He tells me I have nothing to fear. I am able to refute all who accuse me because I too am His servant.
Thank You Lord. Today God Is First.
How lovely on the mountains are the feet of him,
Who brings good news, good news;
Announcing peace, proclaiming news of happiness.
Our God Reigns! Our God Reigns!
Chorus
Our God reigns! Our God reigns!
Our God reigns! Our God reigns!
Our God reigns! Our God reigns!
Our God reigns! Our God reigns!
He had no stately form, He had no majesty
That we should be drawn to Him.
He was despised and we took no account of Him.
Yet now He reigns, with the Most High.
Chorus
Our God reigns! Our God reigns!
Our God reigns! Our God reigns!
Our God reigns! Our God reigns!
Our God reigns! Our God reigns!
It was our sin and guilt that bruised and wounded Him.
It was our sin that brought Him down.
When we like sheep had gone astray our Shepherd came,
And on His shoulders He bore our shame.
Chorus
Our God reigns! Our God reigns!
Our God reigns! Our God reigns!
Our God reigns! Our God reigns!
Our God reigns! Our God reigns!
Meek as a lamb, that’s led out to the slaughterhouse,
Dumb as a sheep, before it’s shearer;
His life ran down upon the ground like pouring rain,
That we might be born-again!
Chorus
Our God reigns! Our God reigns!
Our God reigns! Our God reigns!
Our God reigns! Our God reigns!
Our God reigns! Our God reigns!
Out from the tomb He came with grace and majesty;
He is alive, He is alive!
God loves us so, see here His hands, His feet, His side;
And yes, we know, He is alive!
Chorus
Our God reigns! Our God reigns!
Our God reigns! Our God reigns!
Our God reigns! Our God reigns!
Our God reigns! Our God reigns!