Passage Read: Isaiah 59-62
Meditation Verse: 59:20
Thought
These final chapters of Isaiah are filled with wonderful promises of the return of Israel to her land, the exaltation of the nation of Israel and the restoration of righteousness to Israel. All the world will see and marvel and worship the Lord in Jerusalem, and Israel will enjoy the treasures of all nations. But in truth, these promises are to the repentant, to the humble and contrite who tremble at the Lord's word. These promises are for those who honor the Lord and walk in His ways. It is not for every member of the nation of Israel. It is not for those who refuse to listen to the Lord. It is all a warning and a call to repentance. We make a grave mistake when we think that the Lord will do good to those who refused to listen to Him or honor Him. The Lord is coming to those who repent of their sins.
Application
No wonder repentance was the theme of John the Baptizer's preaching. No wonder repentance was the message Jesus proclaimed. It needs to be the message I hear and respond to, and it needs to be the message I also preach. There is no blessing without turning to the Lord and learning of His ways. There is no blessing for those who refuse to listen to Him and learn to walk in His ways. They are the ones who will be giving honor and gifts to the repentant people of Israel. Those who remain in their sins are the ones who will serve the repentant of Israel. And if I am truly repentant, I will be grafted into the nation of Israel and reign with them. These promises of restoration and exaltation are only for those who fear the Lord and honor Him by their repentance. And so is the promise of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.