Isaiah 59:1-21
Saturday, 20 August 2022
Isa 59:2: "….but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God...."
Isa 59:21: ".. this is my covenant with them," says the LORD: "My Spirit that is upon you, ........forevermore."
The Bible reveals God’s plan of redemption of fallen humankind, who got separated from the love of God through sin. It further reveals God’s love and relentless search of His creation whom He wants to bring back to the original glory with which He created them!
Isaiah 59 is the heart cry of an evangelist with a declaration about sin, its consequences and deliverance offered by God. Isaiah 59:2 quoted above clearly mentions the greatest tragedy of sin—an eternal separation from God who is the fountain of all goodness. Since we are living in a world that thrives on self-reliance, this separation is seldom noticed. Man thinks he is self-sufficient to create his own world of pleasure which is so poetically described with its folly in the chapter from verses 1-8.
There is a consequence awaiting for all who separate themselves from God. This is designed by God in such a way as to bring the sinner to repent and turn to God. The chastisement given by God in this world is nothing but a call to repentance and also a sign of eternal consequences of sin that is a life in hell.
The way of redemption is turning away from iniquity in repentance, and turning towards God. He will fight our battles to redeem us from our real enemies. Isaiah 59:17: "He put on righteousness as a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation on his head; he put on garments of vengeance for clothing, and wrapped himself in zeal as a cloak.” The real enemies are none but ourselves, Satan and his fallen angels and the world system ruled by him. This is hard to accept. This truth made Paul cry aloud in Rom. 7:24: "Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?" This calls for a death to our old life and turning completely to the new Master, who alone can fight our battles and take us to that eternal shore. Paul finds his answer in Jesus Christ— Rom 7:25 "Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!"
If we closely look at the enemies that we really fight- one thing becomes clear: we are not qualified to fight this battle as we cannot fight against ourselves. Another enemy is Satan with all the wicked worldly systems ever trying to weaken us by tempting us with what our flesh desires. What a terrible state we are in! But there is help awaiting if we are willing to turn. Help is immediate— Wisdom is calling out from every corner- Prov. 8:1-2: "Does not wisdom call? Does not understanding raise her voice? On the heights beside the way, at the crossroads she takes her stand." Jesus started his ministry by announcing - Mark 1:15: "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel."
Sin separates us from the God of all blessing and goodness, but if we are willing to heed to His voice through His Word and Repent, He will take over our battles and fight it for us. He will establish us through His wonderful covenant which is sealed with the precious blood of Jesus Christ himself. This covenant is an eternal covenant and it guarantees us to be eternally united with our God in heaven. Thanks be to our Savior who saves us and is able to keep us from stumbling and to present us before His glorious presence without fault and with great joy (Jude v.24).
Prayer: God of all goodness, I submit to Your call of repentance, understanding my own wretchedness: please deliver me through Your Son and establish me under Your eternal covenant. In Jesus name. Amen