While at home this past week recovering from surgery I have been subjected to the local and national news. The stories reported were of senseless crimes, death, violence, disaster and destruction. But rarely reported were stories of rescues and selfless acts of mercy. I also saw business hungry law firm commercials begging for money to any cause they can discover and deem unjust to all! Why? Because “you deserve it, it’s your right.” I saw horror shows presented at times when kids were home alone, commercials for upcoming television programs with women scantily dressed and abusive language.
Then I read the book of Isaiah and the tears began to flow; broken and crying over the wayward behavior of Israel and Judah; their rebellious attitude toward God, His commandments, His covenant promises, and His impending judgment, and I thought of the news and the world in which we live. I thought of my own life and the priorities and attention I have given to “stuff.”
We are a nation that lives like we are our own gods. Serving the selfish ambition, passionate lusts, and violent desires buried deep within our souls. Living life like there is no tomorrow, no punishment for crimes, caring not for one another, but moving through life with the attitude of “me first, because I deserve it.” I can only imagine the pain and sorrow of our Creator and Lord; and I am sure “that image” is not near the depth of sorrow felt in the heavenly realm.
Believer, as you look into this wretched world does a mirror reflect back the wicked state of your own heart? Are you burdened by the lack of interest or time you give to the Creator; the Lord God Almighty? Do the priorities of this world, work, television, and family activities push away any time for the Savior? O believer and child of God do you truly believe there is a God in heaven? Do you believe the words written in the Bible are true? Do you believe the judgments? Do you believe the promises?
All is not lost. For the gospel is called “the gospel of peace.” Isaiah writes of the doom and destruction that all of Israel will feel and know. He writes of the impending judgment on this world as a whole. For God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. If He is to punish the deeds of the unjust and unrepentant in times past, then He surely will be true to His words in judging the deeds of this present world. But “strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way; say to those with fearful hearts, ‘Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you,’ (Isaiah 35:3b-4).” Isaiah not only writes about impending doom and judgment, but he also writes of the promised ransom by the greatest Redeemer of all.
Let your “feeble hands be strengthen and your wobbly knees be steady. Be strong, do not fear.” God has given you the power to overcome and the hope to endure (Rom 5:5). He has given you a path of righteousness. “A highway will be there; it will be called the Way of Holiness. The unclean will not journey on it; it will be for those who walk in that Way; wicked fools will not go about on it…and the ransomed of the Lord will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away, (35:8-10).” You have the power and strength within you. Will your faith allow you to set aside the necessary time to enter the secret places of the most high and abide in His everlasting promises? Sit at His feet, read the Bible, and learn of Him. Learn who He is, who He was, and who He will be. Allow the wisdom and knowledge of God to enter into the deep recesses of your mind and heart and strengthen your feeble hands and wobbly knees. “For those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength…they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint, (40:31).” Come. Confess and turn from the sins of your past, and walk in the Way of Holiness. Taste and see that the Lord is good.
Then I read the book of Isaiah and the tears began to flow; broken and crying over the wayward behavior of Israel and Judah; their rebellious attitude toward God, His commandments, His covenant promises, and His impending judgment, and I thought of the news and the world in which we live. I thought of my own life and the priorities and attention I have given to “stuff.”
We are a nation that lives like we are our own gods. Serving the selfish ambition, passionate lusts, and violent desires buried deep within our souls. Living life like there is no tomorrow, no punishment for crimes, caring not for one another, but moving through life with the attitude of “me first, because I deserve it.” I can only imagine the pain and sorrow of our Creator and Lord; and I am sure “that image” is not near the depth of sorrow felt in the heavenly realm.
Believer, as you look into this wretched world does a mirror reflect back the wicked state of your own heart? Are you burdened by the lack of interest or time you give to the Creator; the Lord God Almighty? Do the priorities of this world, work, television, and family activities push away any time for the Savior? O believer and child of God do you truly believe there is a God in heaven? Do you believe the words written in the Bible are true? Do you believe the judgments? Do you believe the promises?
All is not lost. For the gospel is called “the gospel of peace.” Isaiah writes of the doom and destruction that all of Israel will feel and know. He writes of the impending judgment on this world as a whole. For God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. If He is to punish the deeds of the unjust and unrepentant in times past, then He surely will be true to His words in judging the deeds of this present world. But “strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way; say to those with fearful hearts, ‘Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you,’ (Isaiah 35:3b-4).” Isaiah not only writes about impending doom and judgment, but he also writes of the promised ransom by the greatest Redeemer of all.
Let your “feeble hands be strengthen and your wobbly knees be steady. Be strong, do not fear.” God has given you the power to overcome and the hope to endure (Rom 5:5). He has given you a path of righteousness. “A highway will be there; it will be called the Way of Holiness. The unclean will not journey on it; it will be for those who walk in that Way; wicked fools will not go about on it…and the ransomed of the Lord will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away, (35:8-10).” You have the power and strength within you. Will your faith allow you to set aside the necessary time to enter the secret places of the most high and abide in His everlasting promises? Sit at His feet, read the Bible, and learn of Him. Learn who He is, who He was, and who He will be. Allow the wisdom and knowledge of God to enter into the deep recesses of your mind and heart and strengthen your feeble hands and wobbly knees. “For those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength…they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint, (40:31).” Come. Confess and turn from the sins of your past, and walk in the Way of Holiness. Taste and see that the Lord is good.
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