January 3: BLESSED TO LAY HOLD

Thus says the LORD: “Keep justice and do righteousness, For My salvation is about to come, And My righteousness to be revealed. Blessed is the man who does this, And the son of man who lays hold on it; Who keeps from defiling the Sabbath, and keeps his hand from doing any evil.” Isaiah 56:1-2

God has consistently desired a people that would wholeheartedly serve Him, and to be His mighty instrument for the conversion of the world. The example of the Israelites, had they honored their commitment (Exodus 19:8; Deuteronomy 5:27) could have been a gloriously winsome invitation to those around them. Isaiah 56 is squarely centered upon the conversion of the Gentiles.

In contrast to this bright prospect of winning over the Gentiles is the frustratingly gloomy scenario of Israel’s resistance to the idea of reaching out. They looked with disdain upon those who did not know of the true God. This sad fact only highlighted the desperate need for reformation within the house of Israel. Without such revival, they would continue to lack the essential characteristic of compassion that truly reflects the heart of God.

The remnant of first-century Jews that had accepted their promised Messiah, were off to a new start in winning the world to the Savior. After Paul’s dramatic conversion, he joined the apostles to spread the gospel message in spite of the reality of cruel Roman dominion over the known world. In addressing the new Gentile believers in Ephesus, he reminded them of where they had only recently been in order to encourage them to reach out toward those who had yet to experience the love of the Lord:

…at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel* and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. Ephesians 2:12 (*Israel means Overcomer With God)

The admonition to “Keep justice and do righteousness” is a reminder that true religion— following the will of God—is not just a theory, but an intensely practical way of life. God’s people must be faithful in both doctrine and conduct before He can use them for the conversion of others. Commonwealth, in the Biblical sense, refers to the unity of His covenant community.

God’s people have benefitted from Reformers who dedicated their lives to restoring His precepts. Examples include letting your light shine for His glory (John Wesley comes to mind), feeding upon the Bread of life (think of John Wycliff and William Tyndale), the importance of daily prayer (John Calvin and John Knox carried a special burden for prayer). In America, Roger Williams worked for religious freedom and the restoration of Biblical baptism to celebrate the promise of resurrection to eternal life (see Acts 8:37; Romans 6:4; Colossians 2:12; 1 Peter 3:21). Faith in the sacrificial, substitutionary death of Christ was powerfully and effectively promoted by Martin Luther. The last restoration before Jesus returns is that of the true Sabbath, embedded as His seal in the Ten Commandments; God’s holy day for rest, restoration, and righteousness to be impressed upon the people. “Blessed is the man who does this, And the son of man who lays hold on it; Who keeps from defiling the Sabbath, and keeps his hand from doing any evil.”