Post #44 for December 4, 2018
Someday every knee shall bow to the Lord, Jesus Christ.
“And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father, (Phil.2:10).
In Isaiah 44-46, Isaiah is trying to convince the people of Judah that God is the only true God and that idols wouldn’t do them any good. He is the one who created them, who loves them and wants to take care of them if they would only turn to him.
God calls the house of Jacob “stubborn-hearted, you who are far from righteousness...(Isaiah 46:12.)” One might expect the next words to be that God is giving up on them.
Yet, what does he say? “I am bringing my righteousness near,…my salvation…I will grant salvation to Zion, my splendor to Israel (Isa. 46:13). He will show mercy in spite of themselves.
If we trust the true God, we take on his characteristics. God is good, loving, merciful, righteous, kind, faithful, just, patient. We can be like that, too.
Chapter 48 has been called the climax of Isaiah’s admonition to Israel (now that they are in exile) to quit being rebellious, listen to God’s promises, and believe them, (Oswalt 535). Then they will be ready to leave Babylon when the time comes.
God tries again to reason with Israel (and with us) that he is trying to teach us what is best for us and direct us how to live our lives. He cares deeply about the choices we make and the directions our lives take. According to Isaiah 48:18, their “peace would have been like a river, and your righteousness like the waves of the sea” if they had paid attention to his commands.
We also can be released from the “Babylons” that have enslaved us. In Jesus Christ, God has provided redemption for us and forgiveness for past sins. The immortal God became mortal. The Eternal Spirit took on flesh. The Creator of the Universe is able to do the ‘impossible’ and transform people’s lives by reconciling them to himself.
Because I have been redeemed and forgiven, I am an ambassador, appealing to people to be reconciled to God. (2 Cor. 5:19). My bond of guilt, according to Col.2:14, has been canceled. God is able to make our lives full of joy and peace and purpose. He is waiting for us to respond to his offer.
Dear Lord, Thank you for redeeming me and transforming my life into one of peace and joy and hope. I pray you will remove everything in my life that hinders the progress and success of the gospel as you use me as your ambassador. Let your divine grace be victorious over all opposition. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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