Good Moring.
Isaiah 62 reminds me of the way I feel when I see someone that I love struggling in life. So often they just cannot see the root of their problem as they treat symptoms and chase new remedies, or worse, they give up. In today’s chapter, Isaiah looks at the Children of God teetering on the brink of destruction. He does not turn his back. “I will not keep silent, for Jerusalem’s sake I will not remain quiet“. Instead, Isaiah speaks the truth. He speaks “till her vindication shines“. He speaks of a time when they embrace God fully; he sees “her salvation like a blazing torch“. He encourages, “The nations will see your vindication… you will be called by a new name that the mouth of the LORD will bestow“. This is a real transformation, “You will be a crown of splendor in the LORD’s hand“. Isaiah proclaims that the reality of today will be only a distant memory, “No longer will they call you Deserted“. Listen to the new way of life Isaiah describes, “As a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so will your God rejoice over you“. Friend, does God rejoice over your life today?
Isaiah does not leave his friend with mere words; he comes before the Almighty in prayer and enlists the Heavenly Hosts. These Angels of God are not chubby harp-playing spectators; they are mighty warriors fighting the spiritual battle against the powers of darkness. “I have posted watchmen on your walls“. No longer a lonely outpost in the wilderness, these messengers of God obey and repeat the Word of the Lord, “they will never be silent day or night“. Let me be clear, Isaiah’s motivation is that “You who struggle” would become “You who call on the LORD“. To those ready to give up he says, “Give yourselves no rest“. There is no peace without the presence of God. To be clear, my prayer agrees with the apostle Paul, “I pray… that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may… grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God” (Ephesians 3:16-19). Lord, open my friends eyes, that they might see.
Are you on the brink of giving up? Please know that God desires your full restoration and God is able! “The LORD has sworn by His right hand“. All you need is enough faith to ask, “Lord Jesus help me”. Isaiah calls to all who will listen, “Pass through, pass through the gates!” He says to all who have received forgiveness to, “Prepare the way… Remove the stones“. Isaiah encourages us to point the way, “See, your Savior comes!“. And Isaiah concludes with the joy of the ages, the fulfillment of God’s promise, “They will be called the Holy People, the Redeemed of the LORD… the City No Longer Deserted“. Isaiah is talking about the city of Jerusalem, and he is talking about me and you. Please look past me, my Savior comes. I cannot remain quiet, can you?