Faithful on Fridays Blog

Part Nine

The invitation from Isaiah 55 is sent out, “Come!” Come to God, seek Him; His covenant applies to Jews and Gentiles who need His pardon and compassion. It’s fascinating, He’s so much smarter than we are, since His thoughts and ways are so much higher than ours. He sees the big picture, we only see our circumstances, and yet His Word accomplishes His purposes regardless of whether we like the outcome. That’s the promise that sets the stage for chapter 56 as the prophet writes God’s Word; Jesus (My Salvation, vs. 1) will be revealed. When He arrives will he find us caring about justice for the needy and right living for ourselves? This promise is for those outside the Jewish faith, we can be ‘joined’ to the LORD as well. 

This joining or being attached to God like twisted twine means our lives are centered on Him, we care about what He thinks, and we find our guidance in His Word. Times of prayer, worship, and reading His Word bring us closer to Him as that twine is twisted tighter and tighter and we receive this ‘divine union’ with God that is unbreakable. 

However, when our roller coaster is on the top doesn’t mean we can forget about obedience, it comes down again in chapter 57 when we’re reminded that worldly things can become idols if we’re not careful. We can be a very fickle people, but in His loving care God instructs us how to come back: repentance, humility, and confession. That’s what revives our souls.

In chapter 58 God tells Isaiah not to hold back, alert His people of their sin, and give them the truth. God’s idea of fasting isn’t simply refusing to eat, it’s a heart attitude. It’s humbling yourself, yes, but it’s also helping people understand the works of the devil as you speak freedom to them. It’s generosity to the hungry, homeless, and those without the necessities of life. That’s when breakthrough happens (vs. 8)! Verses 5-14 clearly explains the conditions (if … then) for your own breakthrough if you do life His way.

Life without God never goes well. You’re depending on your own thoughts, ways, and understanding, but He knows what’s best for your future. Don’t let your sin (chapter 59) keep you separated from God, spend a moment confessing and receiving His forgiveness right now. 

Caring about righting wrongs is true justice; it’s just like Jesus. Is. 59:16 explains that since man won’t rise up with justice He’ll have to do it Himself. Salvation and righteousness is Jesus, the Redeemer (vs. 20) who comes with a New Covenant ratified with His blood and giving us the power of the Holy Spirit to be Christ followers. This promise (check it out!) is for our families as well, our children and our grandchildren; I’m standing on that truth. 

So come, if you’re spiritually thirsty and hungry for God, He’s here waiting for you even now and you won’t be disappointed.