Turn to God for a Blessing

Isaiah 32:9-20

Saturday, 21 March 2026

“… Until the Spirit is poured upon us from on high…” – Isaiah 32:15  

Isaiah 32 opens up to the promise of a king who will reign in righteousness, in whose reign there would be a great spiritual awakening that the land hadn’t experienced in a long time. In one of the series of prophecies Isaiah makes to the nation, he speaks of the invasion of Assyria, as well as of the destruction of the same and then a peaceful reign of a righteous king. Bible commentators are of the view that this did happen in the reign of King Hezekiah. 

The nation of Israel was reeling under the effect of bad leadership, a kind of complacency, and not fully trusting God but turning to the vain help of men. Isaiah tries to direct their focus in God who is the true source of their security. Thus He calls for a turning to God, leaving their misplaced trust and complacency!

If King Hezekiah is a type of Christ who will reign in righteousness, we can rejoice that as His children, one day we are sure to be in His Kingdom of Righteousness, enjoying His protection and providence and the effects of His wise leadership (Vs.1-4). What a glorious reign it will be!

But what is expected of us as we await this Glorious King and His Kingdom? 

From our reading today, Isaiah calls us to repentance from Vs. 9-14. There are 2 areas that are specifically mentioned. 

1) Indifference – Ease in life, affluence cause one to become indifferent to many things in life- especially to the pain and the sufferings of others. Its an “I-don’t-care” mentality that wants to ignore things that happen around them. Such people are very often unsympathetic and judgmental. Is this your attitude today? Have you become insensitive to others who are going through stressful times? If yes, repent before you experience the results of such a wrong attitude.

2) Complacency – This is an attitude of deep uncritical satisfaction of oneself and one’s achievements. These are people who can never see their own faults but quick to see them in others! How terrible! Repent, before you face the punishment of bareness as written in vs. 13. Make David’s prayer yours as he opens his heart to God in Psalm 19:12 [NLT]: “How can I know all the sins lurking in my heart? Cleanse me from hidden faults.”

As we mourn and weep over our sins (v. 12) in true repentance, God with His abundant mercy blesses us with “His Holy Spirit” (v. 15). 

How does His Presence change our lives?

1. From bareness to fruitfulness (v.15): The indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit leads us to a life of spiritual fruitfulness – we experience a deep spiritual revival and an abundance in the fruit of the Spirit in our daily lives. 

2. From being forsaken to an assurance (vs.14&17): The outpouring of the Holy Spirit in our lives helps us to live a life of deep trust in God and His Word – a life of peace even when circumstances are stormy around us. (vs 18&19)

May we even at this time, return to God with weeping and repentance of complacency and indifference. And as Prophet Joel says in Joel 2:14 “Who knows if He will turn and relent and leave a blessing behind Him.” And that’s what we need!

Quote for the Day: “Without the Spirit of God we can do nothing, we are ships without wind, we are useless.” ~Charles Spurgeon

Listen: 'Holy Spirit rain down'