Today’s Reading: Isaiah 45:15–48:15
How refreshing to read the titles of the first two sections – Egyptians will know God & Idolaters will know God. And for the Egyptians, it says that they say, “Surely God is with you, and there is no other; there is no other god.” I think that if ever anyone said that to me, it would be a red-letter day for me, that someone finds the presence of God in my life, such a compelling thing, that there is a deep desire to be connected with my loving Father! And in this next section, it says that “Israel will be saved by the Lord with an everlasting salvation; you will never be put to shame or disgraced to ages everlasting.” It is hard to believe such a thing when I look at Israel’s messed up track record (just like mine, by the way!). And then I hear His gentle plead whispering in my ear, “I am the Lord, and there is no other!” (Certainly there is no other god, like our God – so loving, so kind, and so gentle! And I hear God’s challenge in Romans to any who would challenge Him, “Who shall lay any charge against God’s elect; it is God who justifies!” (made righteous with HIS righteousness!) Is it any wonder that He states that every knee will bow before Him, and it is our privilege to do it now in a world which rejects Him. What an honour to reverence and glorify Him RIGHT NOW!
And the country (Babylon) which would complete the job of carrying out God’s discipline on His people by completing the final job of carrying off Judah into captivity, is warned that their gods in which they trust are truly useless, and I feel a thrill of joy at His question, “But to whom will you compare Me or count Me equal?” I know the beautiful answer – “There is no other, none other like Me!” It is puzzling somewhat, but not so when I think of how He sees from beginning to end, “I am bringing righteousness near, it is not faraway; and my salvation will not be delayed.” And although Isaiah or Judah couldn’t see or experience it yet, still I sense God’s eagerness to point out the victory at the end of the road of discipline! He does the same for me, and I love to acknowledge to Him quietly, “You will win in my life at the end, dear Lord, but please win today!”
But the enemy, Babylon will fall, because “Our Redeemer—the Lord ALMIGHTY is His name—the Holy One of Israel!” I think Isaiah must have loved to make such statements, don’t you?! Do I? And the world like Babylon can feel (& talk) as confidently as they like, but the truth of the matter is “A calamity will fall upon you (like on Babylon) that you cannot ward off with a ransom; a catastrophe you cannot foresee will suddenly fall upon you!” Who would suspect in this world, that God Himself will one day soon burn it up with fire at the end of the world and create a new heavens and a new earth?
And I think I have noticed more than once in our readings, God’s protests against idols, astrology etc., His argument that His foreknowledge of events is unheard of & has not been experienced by idol worshipers (but obviously idols have no life, and devils have no ability to know the future – they only guess!), but our Lord Almighty “knows the beginning from the end” and what is prophesied will most certainly happen. Like the New Testament says, “Heaven and earth may pass away but my Word will never pass away!” What security and peace we have in having such a beautiful loving all-knowing Saviour! May I walk with Him today with quiet secure footsteps and the happiness in my heart that one day soon, I will step into heaven and be able to stand without fear before Him and realize the reality of His love and acceptance as I never have before!
May we walk today in the beautiful confidence of His ‘unfailing love”!