In this chapter, Isaiah confirms why God is far from us. Here’s the chapter in its entirety: “Listen! The Lord is not too weak to save you, and he is not becoming deaf. He can hear you when you call. But there is a problem – your sins have cut you off from God. Because of your sin, he has turned away and will not listen anymore. Your hands are the hands of murderers, and your fingers are filthy with sin. Your mouth is full of lies, and your lips are tainted with corruption. (Wow! God is hearing all of our prayers, but if we are not right our prayers are simply noise to Him.)
No one cares about being fair and honest. Their lawsuits are based on lies. They spend their time plotting evil deeds and then doing them. They spend their time and energy spinning evil plans that end up in deadly actions. They cheat and shortchange everyone. Nothing they do is productive; all their activity is filled with sin. Violence is their trademark. Their feet run to do evil, and they rush to commit murder. They think only about sinning. Wherever they go, misery and destruction follow them. They do not know what true peace is or what it means to be just and good. They continually do wrong, and those who follow them cannot experience a moment’s peace.
It is because of all this evil that deliverance is far from us. That is why God doesn't punish those who injure us. No wonder we are in darkness when we expected light. No wonder we are walking in the gloom. No wonder we grope like blind people and stumble along. Even at brightest noontime, we fall down as though it were dark. No wonder we are like corpses when compared to vigorous young men! We growl like hungry bears; we moan like mournful doves. We look for justice, but it is nowhere to be found. We look to be rescued, but it is far away from us. For our sins are piled up before God and testify against us. Yes, we know what sinners we are. We know that we have rebelled against the Lord. We have turned our backs on God. We know how unfair and oppressive we have been, carefully planning our deceitful lies. Our courts oppose people who are righteous, and justice is nowhere to be found. Truth falls dead in the streets, and fairness has been outlawed. Yes, truth is gone, and anyone who tries to live a godly life is soon attacked. (Wow! So when life is beating us down, let us not wonder why the Lord has not shown up. Instead of complaining…Lord, help us fall to our knees, repent of our sins, and realign ourselves with you.)
The Lord looked and was displeased to find that there was no justice. He was amazed to see that no one intervened to help the oppressed. So he himself stepped in to save them with his mighty power and justice. He put on righteousness as his body armor and placed the helmet of salvation on his head. He clothed himself with the robes of vengeance and godly fury. He will repay his enemies for their evil deeds. His fury will fall on his foes in distant lands. Then at last they will respect and glorify the name of the Lord throughout the world. For he will come like a flood tide driven by the breath of the Lord. (Yes, Lord! Help us all put on your breastplate of righteousness, your helmet of salvation, and your shield of faith!)
“The Redeemer will come to Jerusalem, “ says the Lord, “to buy back those in Israel who have turned from their sins. And this is my covenant with them,” says the Lord. “My Spirit will not leave them, and neither will these words I have given you. They will be on our lips and on the lips of your children and our children’s children forever. I, the Lord, have spoken!” (Isaiah 59) (Yes!!! What an amazing promise!)
Lord, thank you for your Word today! Help us draw near to you, so you will draw near to us. Help us turn from our sins so you, again, will listen to us and our darkness will be illuminated with your Spirit, for you are ready to armor yourself to fight our battles! Lord, we love you!
May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace.” (Numbers 6:24-26)
….AND MAY WE ALL PRACTICE THIS WITH ONE ANOTHER.
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