January 26: LEARN TO REMAIN FAITHFUL

Look down from heaven, And see from Your habitation, holy and glorious. Where are Your zeal and Your strength, The yearning of Your heart and Your mercies toward me? Are they restrained? Isaiah 63:15

With singleness of purpose, Isaiah weaves a tapestry of the multifaceted character of God. To truly learn of God is the greatest pursuit that man can undertake, because it leads to a relationship with Him. It is this relationship that culminates in our salvation at the close of this world’s history. In our linear, western way of thinking, we are conditioned to “line up” everything in chronological order. This is not necessarily a bad thing, for there must be a sense of the “before and after” of meeting Him. As we continue on a path of learning, we are to learn to remain faithful to His precepts, whether or not we perceive Him at work around us.

While it is good to have a handle on the order of God’s dealings with fallen humans, it is possible for us to jump to wrong conclusions about His character if we fail to discern His overall plan. When Jesus announced His ministry to the “locals” in Nazareth, He chose to read from the beginning of Isaiah 61, and He continued through these words: “to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor” (v.2a ESV). But notice that He stopped short from reading “and the day of vengeance of our God” (v.2b). That day is yet future . . .  

There are many things detailed in Scripture that are yet to occur. Prophecy, given in words, is sometimes characterized by “miniature pictures” that point us toward, and increase our understanding of, an ultimate future fulfillment. The earthly life of Jesus some 2000 years ago was marked with a daily ‘laying down of His life’ as our perfect example, culminating in His death on the cross: the substitutionary payment for sin. During His humble ministry on earth, He had a brief moment of glory: on the mount of transfiguration (see Mark 9:1-9). Being able to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD will be a permanent state of affairs in the future of the saved (Psalm 27:4 ESV).

Discernment proves to be a great friend as we learn more of the precept of divine restraint. Times of restraint are filled with incredible mercy, compassion, and grace. He is graciously allowing for as many people as will, to discover His great love for them personally. Yet we can know for certain that He will ultimately bring an end to sin and error. The mention of vengeance of our God is seen as an unwelcome “threat” by those who have no desire to be corrected. But it is not a threat at all. It is a fact. And the fact that He will end all wrongs and bring sin and suffering to a close is yet another reason to love Him.

Chapter 63 of Isaiah is a journey through time* that exhibits the omniscience of our God who knows the future. It shows how we blame Him (v.17) for not forcing us to do right (He will not!). It reveals His grief over the rebellion of His people. Verse 19 describes the spiritual condition of His people who had been saved, but then did not work out [their] own salvation with fear and trembling (see Philippians 2:12). It was as though they had never been saved! Isaiah humbly states:

We have become like those of old, over whom You never ruled, Those who were never called by Your name. Isaiah 63:19

*Compare Isaiah 63 to: Psalm 25:6; 92:2; 98:1; Isaiah 34:8; 35:4; 41:28; John 16:32; Revelation 14:19-20; 19:13-15