Hello, my “Walking with Jesus” friends,
When is the last time you had a really good day? I mean a day in which from the time you awakened in the morning till the time you went to bed at night, you simply felt joyful, blessed, content and fulfilled in life? Now here’s the question: what were the major contributing factors for you to have that type of wonderful day?
Again, please join me in Isaiah to hear a remarkable message from God to His people at a very difficult time in their history about 2700 years ago: “You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, all the trees of the field will clap their hands.” (Is. 55:12) Some years ago my wife and I lived in Fargo, North Dakota, in America, and we experienced the joy and wonder of the fall harvest season there. We’d seen it in some other parts of America as well but the huge, expansive North Dakota fields of wheat or sunflowers or soybeans or corn or sugar beets was almost beyond description. And then the massive equipment and procedures used to bring in that massive harvest was for us simply amazing.
Isaiah was writing these messages from God during a difficult time in Israel. The Israelites who had remained in the northern kingdom Israel were living under the domination of the vicious Assyrians who had conquered them a generation before. The wonderful years of king Hezekiah in Jerusalem were followed by prolonged decades of despair under his son king Manasseh. (2 Kings 21:1-16)
Yet God wanted His people, living anywhere in the war-torn middle east, to know He had not forgotten them, and He was available to help them, thus His invitation in Isaiah 55 “Come all you who are thirsty… Listen to Me… Give ear to Me and come to me, listen that you may live… Seek the LORD while He may be found, call on Him while He is near… let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the LORD and He will have mercy on them…” (Is. 55:1-7) God’s invitation was clear and genuine. But, of course, the people wondered… what would be the result for them if they accepted God’s call, if they did turn from their wicked ways and turn to God?
And God’s response was that remarkable description of hope and joy: “You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, all the trees of the field will clap their hands.” (Is. 55:12)
Do you see God was promising a total transformation, both of the people and even the land? We all know what it looks like when fields which are intended for crop production are abandoned because farmers have died, or they are off at war, or they have been conquered by invading armies. Abandoned fields grow weeds rather than wheat or corn or soybeans. And we know what a people living under siege looks like in their misery. That could be the siege of war or the siege of the dark kingdom.
But when peace and security reign and people are going about their lives thankful to God for His blessing and raising their families to know and love God, well that is what God was describing to Isaiah. For the people to whom Isaiah brought this message, it seemed like an unrealistic, almost impossible dream, yet it did happen, several times in the centuries which followed, when Godly leaders came to power who dedicated their lives to leading the people of Israel back to God.
And when God poured out His blessing in response to the repentance of His people, Isaiah’s next words did become reality: “Instead of the thornbush will grow the juniper, and instead of briers the myrtle will grow.” (Is. 55:13a) And why? Why does God bring transformation and blessing when people turn away from their wickedness and turn to God seeking to honor Him with their lives?
Isaiah gives us the answer in his final words of Isaiah 55: “This will be for the LORD’s renown, for an everlasting sign, that will endure forever.” (Is. 55:13b) Do we understand my friends that in all places, in every generation this describes God’s overriding purpose? What purpose? That God would be glorified and both His people and those who know nothing about God would stand in awe of God’s majesty and would worship Him with their lives!
About 100 years later another prophet of God, Ezekiel, had very similar messages from God for the Israelites who had by then been taken into exile by the conquering Babylonians. In his powerful 36th chapter Ezekiel prophesied with these words from God: “This is what the Sovereign LORD says: It is not for your sake, people of Israel, that I am going to do these things, but for the sake of My Holy Name, which you have profaned among the nations… I will show the holiness of My great name…Then the nations will know that I am the LORD, when I show Myself Holy through YOU before their eyes…” (Ez. 36:22,23) God’s great work in our world is primarily for HIS glory, not for our benefit or comfort. And God is most glorified when people are living their lives transformed by His power and living for His honor.
Isaiah and all the prophets urged the people to hear God’s call, repent of their wicked ways, turn back to God and experience His forgiveness and restoration. Ezekiel further explained this remarkable repentance and restoration process: “You will remember your evil ways and wicked deeds, and you will loathe yourselves for your sins and detestable practices… The LORD says: ‘on the day I cleanse you from all your sins, I will resettle your towns, and the ruins will be rebuilt. The desolate land will be cultivated instead of lying dormant in the sight of all who pass by… Then the nations around you will know that I the LORD have rebuilt what was destroyed and replanted what was desolate… Then the nations will know that I am the LORD.“ (Ez. 36:31-38)
Can you see my friends, how God was sending the same message to His people through both Isaiah and Ezekiel, yet 100 years separated them? Do you understand God extends the very same offer to you and me and the people of our world today, 2600 year later?
Wherever you live in the world in 2024, can you envision what it would be like if repentance by the people and restoration by God would take place? Now look closely into your city, your society. What is preventing this amazing possibility from happening? For the past several months we’ve been looking closely at the history of Israel recorded in the Kings, Chronicles and now Isaiah. Why? To learn from the people who have preceded us. To learn from an unchanging God who invites every new generation to seek Him! Isaiah 55 is a powerful invitation from God, isn’t it? So, I wonder what the response of your heart is today my friends?
I found a new song based on Isaiah 55 and the closing promise of God: “This will be for the LORD’s renown…” (Is. 55:13b) Let’s worship together. . .
Today’s Scripture: Is. 55:12,13.
Choose below to read or listen.
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Bible images provided with attribution to www.LumoProject.com.
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Pastor Doug Anderson
“Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, with our eyes fixed on Jesus…” (Heb. 12:1,2)
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