Over the past few days, I have been reading out of the book of Isaiah. Isaiah was a prophet of the LORD who was tasked with proclaiming to the people of Israel the word of the LORD regarding consequences for their disobedience, while at the same time given the proclamation of the coming Messiah as well.
As God often does, I happened to listen to a podcast that had just been released by a preacher/teacher that I enjoy. His message was on Isaiah and the words that I had just read that morning. (I love that!) His insights were powerful for me, as he shared that Isaiah was writing in a time of change. God brings Isiah on the scene during the reign of King Uzziah – a king who “did what was right in the eyes of the LORD”… and “sought God.” (2 Chronicles 26:4-5) By the 4th chapter, however, we read that Uzziah has died. A new king comes into power.
Israel and Judah (Israel was now split into two kingdoms) have been moving farther and farther away from the commandments of the LORD. God has provided instructions for how his people should live and promises blessings should they follow his instructions – however, his people have chosen differently. They have adopted the idols (false gods) of the people of the land. They have stopped following the law, and have begun to do what they want to do instead. They have replaced God as their authority, and instead, have decided to become their own authority on everything.
And so, God brings onto the scene a man who is obedient. He sees in Isiah a man who is willing to let the LORD God use him – even though it will not be easy and will eventually cost him his life. Even though Isaiah is not the only prophet God used to warn his people and try to get them to change their minds and turn from their evil ways, Isiah is one of the lengthiest prophets. He is one who saw the sin in himself as he was allowed to be in the presence of the Holy One. The book of Isiah is both powerful for calling to account the people of God in the day it was written – but is still calling us to account today. It holds timeless insights into who God is, as well as who he desires us to be.
“You (God) will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose hearts are fixed on you! Trust in the LORD always, for the LORD God is the eternal Rock.” (Isaiah 26:2-4) Who of us doesn’t desire more peace? How can we ever obtain it? Fix our eyes on the LORD, our Rock, for all eternity.
“But for those who are righteous, the way is not steep and rough. You are a God who does what is right, and you smooth out the path ahead of them. LORD, we show our trust in you by obeying your laws; our heart’s desire is to glorify your name.” (Isiah 26:7-8) How can we show our trust in God? By obeying His laws. What should our heart’s desire be? To glorify His name. And when we do, He promises that regardless of what life throws at us, the way will not be too steep or too rough for us because the LORD, himself, will smooth out the path ahead of us.
“Therefore, this is what the Sovereign LORD says: “Look! I am placing a foundation stone in Jerusalem, a firm and tested stone. It is a precious cornerstone that is safe to build on. Whoever believes need never be shaken. I will test you with a measuring line of justice and the plumb line of righteousness.” (Isaiah 28: 16-17) God provided exactly what we need to build our lives upon. Jesus. He has been tested and found to be rock solid. When we build our lives upon him, we will never be shaken. The foundation will not crumble. Jesus, our foundation, is the standard of what justice and righteousness are.
“I, the LORD of Heaven’s Armies, will act for you with thunder and earthquake and great noise, with a whirlwind and storm and consuming fire.” (Isiah 19:6) Our God is the Creator of the Universe. In His hand is the supernatural. He will fight for His people. He will use that which we cannot even imagine – that which is completely miraculous – to demonstrate His power and to save His people. Can any other control the skies and seas? Can any other control the elements? With a word, all of creation obeys and responds.
“What sorrow awaits my rebellious children,” says the LORD. “You make plans that are contrary to mine. You make alliances not directed by my Spirit, thus piling us your sins.” (Isaiah 30:1) We are considered rebellious and sinful when we do our own thing – when we make our own plans that contradict what the word of God says. God’s Spirit will direct us into that which is holy and good, but the choice is ours to make. When we choose differently than what God says – it is sin.
“Now go and write down these words. Write them in a book. They will stand until the end of time as a witness that these people are stubborn rebels who refuse to pay attention to the LORD’s instructions. They tell the seers, “Stop seeing visions!” They tell the prophets, “Don’t tell us what is right. Tell us nice things. Tell us lies. Forget all this gloom. Get off your narrow path. Stop telling us about your ‘Holy One of Israel.'” This is the reply of the Holy One of Israel: “Because you despise what I tell you and trust instead in oppression and lies, calamity will come upon you suddenly – like a bulging wall that bursts and falls. In an instant it will collapse and come crashing down.” (Isiah 30:8-13) Doesn’t this relate to today? Can’t you hear a similar message being preached by culture? Stop telling us what is right (God’s standard), instead tell us something nice – even if “nice things” are lies. God’s way isn’t the “nice” way. It’s the holy way. It is the right way. It is the narrow way. We are to choose God’s way as His followers. Period. His way is the only one that is true.
“Only in returning to me and resting in me will you be saved. In quietness and confidence is your strength.” (Isiah 30:15) The only way we will be saved is by resting in God and turning to Him. There is salvation in no other. When we come before Him – when we are still before Him – we will know Him and His strength. He empowers His people.
“He will be gracious if you ask for help. He will surely respond to the sound of your cries. Though the LORD gave you adversity for food and suffering for drink, he will still be with you to teach you. You will see your teacher with your own eyes. Your own ears will hear him. Right behind you a voice will say, ‘This is the way you should go,’ whether to the right or to the left.” (Isiah 30:19-21) God is so good! He helps us when we seek help from Him. He hears us when we cry out to Him. Even though hardships happen to us – even consequences for our actions – God remains with us and uses those things to teach us. The LORD of all allows us to see Him and hear Him. He speaks to us – directing our path.
What a gift! Friend, we need so desperately to be grounded in the Word. We need so desperately to refocus our attention on the Living God. He has supplied us with all we need for this journey on earth. All we need to do is accept the provision and embrace it. Times may change. Circumstances may change. The LORD God is steadfast… never-changing.
Blessings.