Comfort in The Rock of Ages
And it will be said in that day: “Behold, this is our God; We have waited for Him, and He will save us.
This is the Lord; We have waited for Him; We will be glad and rejoice in His salvation.” (Isaiah 25:9)
{Read Isaiah 24 – 27}
Hello Saints of the Lord,
I’ve had a difficult weekend. For one, I’ve had to shovel a lot of heavy wet snow from 13 driveways, two days in a row. But Praise God, I have an amazing wife who is by my side to help me. The physical challenge is nothing compared to the trouble in my soul and spirit. From the killing of the young black man at the hands of ruthless, wicked policemen, to the wars in Ukraine, Palestine/Israel, to the condition of our world in general, it is easy to get discouraged. Discouragement comes from focusing on those things that rob us of hope and joy. I guess that is what I was doing by reading and watching the news. So much bad news, injustice, and evil in the world, even in our own country. I was reminded that “David was greatly distressed…. but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God.” (1Sam. 30:6) Encouragement comes from God! One is supposed to find comfort from the Comforter; peace from the Prince of Peace; and hope from the God of hope.
Off to the scriptures I went, continuing my meditations in the book of Isaiah. I just happened to find myself in the chapters known as “the Little Apocalypse” because they read like a condensed version of the Book of Revelation. If you have not done so, take time to read these 4 chapters now (24-27). This section focuses on God’s final judgment of the world and His salvation for His people. The chapters preceding this section reveal our God who is ruler of all the nations, kingdoms and peoples. Chapter 24 shows us that God is actually in control of the whole world; His people will worship Him (14-16); and “the Lord of hosts will reign…gloriously” (24:23). Focusing on God and His future, not on our present world is like water to the soul!
Chapter 25 begins with a song of joy: “O Lord, You are my God. I will exalt You, I will praise Your name, For You have done wonderful things” (25:1). After judgment comes rejoicing because of God’s justice for the poor and needy: “For You have been a strength to the poor, A strength to the needy in his distress, A refuge from the storm, A shade from the heat” (25:4). I believe that the poor and needy are not physically so, but spiritually poor in spirit, humbled by the state of the world and broken-hearted by the effects of sin and death, and in desperate need of a Deliverer and Savior. In the midst of a broken world that has rejected God, is a God who is willing to save and fellowship with those who really want Him. “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3). For those people - “His people” - will be invited to the feast that God is preparing at the end of the age – the banqueting table. In that time death will be swallowed up forever, He will wipe away every tear and there will be great rejoicing (25:6-9).
Isaiah 26 opens up with a song celebrating God’s deliverance and salvation! In that song is sung these precious words: “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You. Trust in the Lord forever, For in Yah, the Lord, is everlasting strength (or Eternal Rock)” (26:3-4). Peace in this crazy world is found not in it, but in God alone. Our heart, and mind must be fixed on Him and His word, and trusting that He is able to accomplish His word because He is God Almighty, our “Eternal Rock” or “Rock of Ages”, immovable, unchangeable, steadfast and true. He is in control! In the middle of the chaos, God is the righteous judge who will set things right. He is the desire of our soul (26:7-9). When God judges the earth, many will die, but for those who know Him, there is a great promise: “But those who die in the Lord will live; their bodies will rise again! Those who sleep in the earth will rise up and sing for joy! For your life-giving light will fall like dew on your people in the place of the dead! (26:19 NLT) Resurrection is guaranteed to those who are in Christ! Death is not the end!
Chapter 27 speaks of a great judgment coming over the earth. But at the end, God will gather His people at the sound of the great trumpet, and all will come, both Jew and Gentile to worship the Lord on His holy mountain in Jerusalem! The trumpet declares God’s victory and our liberation day into the eternal kingdom of righteousness, peace and joy! Until that day, I keep my eyes on God, and put my trust in Him. As the hymn writer wrote, “Rock of ages, cleft for me, let me hide myself in Thee”.
Maybe we need to stop looking at all that is bad in the world, and fix our eyes and thoughts on Jesus and the future we will have with Him. Let's spend this week meditating on these amazing truths found in God's word.
Have a blessed week!
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