Isaiah 25:1–9
The Lord GOD will wipe away tears from all faces, and the reproach of His people He will take away from all the earth.- Isaiah 25:8
Click to read passage
Have you ever thanked a teacher for punishing you? Or have you ever expressed admiration towards a supervisor whose fair judgment caused you to be put at a disadvantage? That’s a difficult thing to do.
But today’s passage exalts and praises God for the wonderful things he has done, which are making cities and palaces into a state that can never be rebuilt. Isaiah praises God for destruction. Even though there is no city named, we know that God punished Babylon, Assyria, and even Israel. They all deserved it. God in his justice carried out what he warned he would do. So if anyone who has done evil, this is scary news.
But held in tension with the image of the just and fair Judge of the nations is the Stronghold who shelters and gives breath to the poor and needy in the midst of their troubles. God feeds them, removes barriers that veil him from them, and wipes away their tears. He removes the people’s reproach and promises to swallow death forever. For those who are waiting on the Lord for his deliverance, this is good news.
The Lord’s coming will incite different reactions from these two groups. The first group will dread and fear the Lord’s coming because they are still living in sin; the second group will hope for and rejoice in it because they are suffering in this world.
Reflection:
Do you dread and fear the Lord’s return or are you looking forward to it, in hope and joy? Now that you’ve become aware of this, how will this impact your life today?
Prayer:
Just and merciful God, we praise you for only you can be both just and merciful. Even as we examine our lives and our response to your Son’s impending return, help us to live a watchful life, always anticipating his coming. Allow our lives to speak of the hope that we have in Jesus, because we pray this in his name. Amen.
Click to read passage
Have you ever thanked a teacher for punishing you? Or have you ever expressed admiration towards a supervisor whose fair judgment caused you to be put at a disadvantage? That’s a difficult thing to do.
But today’s passage exalts and praises God for the wonderful things he has done, which are making cities and palaces into a state that can never be rebuilt. Isaiah praises God for destruction. Even though there is no city named, we know that God punished Babylon, Assyria, and even Israel. They all deserved it. God in his justice carried out what he warned he would do. So if anyone who has done evil, this is scary news.
But held in tension with the image of the just and fair Judge of the nations is the Stronghold who shelters and gives breath to the poor and needy in the midst of their troubles. God feeds them, removes barriers that veil him from them, and wipes away their tears. He removes the people’s reproach and promises to swallow death forever. For those who are waiting on the Lord for his deliverance, this is good news.
The Lord’s coming will incite different reactions from these two groups. The first group will dread and fear the Lord’s coming because they are still living in sin; the second group will hope for and rejoice in it because they are suffering in this world.
Reflection:
Do you dread and fear the Lord’s return or are you looking forward to it, in hope and joy? Now that you’ve become aware of this, how will this impact your life today?
Prayer:
Just and merciful God, we praise you for only you can be both just and merciful. Even as we examine our lives and our response to your Son’s impending return, help us to live a watchful life, always anticipating his coming. Allow our lives to speak of the hope that we have in Jesus, because we pray this in his name. Amen.