“O LORD, why do You make us wander from Your ways and harden our heart, so that we fear You not? Return for the sake of Your servants, the tribes of Your heritage. Your holy people held possession for a little while; our adversaries have trampled down Your sanctuary. We have become like those over whom You have never ruled, like those who are not called by Your Name. Is. 63:17-19
Devotional Thought For The Day
It is a very special and unique thing to be “called by” God’s Name, to be ruled by God. Isaiah is talking about people of faith, those who understand their sin and guilt and walk before God with integrity, confessing transgressions of heart and act, and rejoicing in God’s gracious mercy, His promise of a Savior. As such, His people were also His servants, people who were instructed by God’s Word, who came to delight in what was good and who committed themselves to it. They were blessed with much and were called to extend God’s love and mercy, and the wisdom of His ways, to others around them. In spite of their ongoing and continuing sins of weakness, God was please to call them His own dear children, and to be called their God. For they repented, confessed their sins, and re-committed themselves each day to God’s ways – rejoicing in His patience, and long-suffering love, His compassion and faithful love to them. They heard His Word, submitted to His Word, honored His Word, recorded His Word, and kept and promoted His Word to others. And of course, God still has His people in the world today who are the same and do the same.
Looking back over ancient history in the record of Holy Scripture, only the children of Israel were blessed with this calling, blessed to know the only True and Living God, the God of mercy, forgiveness, love, compassion, deliverance, and salvation. Go to the museums or read the textbooks on ancient history to see what kind of wretched darkness prevailed in the religions of the pagan peoples, even the most powerful and advanced of their time. The contrast is stark and dramatic. Compare and contrast the spiritual ignorance and darkness that prevailed in ancient Babylon, Egypt, Persia, India, China, Greece, Rome, and also among the indigenous peoples of North and South America, with the words and teachings of Holy Scripture. Consider that none of these pagan peoples produced prophetic writings that have endured and influenced the world for centuries for good, books which reveal the only God as He truly is. The tension and animosity was constant – the warfare between God and the forces of evil, between good and evil. The tension and conflict remains to this very day and will only be resolved with the destruction of one or the other. Thanks and praise be to God that He is the One Who will prevail, that evil will ultimately be destroyed in a conflagration far worse than the flood of Noah’s day. Thanks and praise be to God that He has brought you back to Himself, to the right side, the safe [saved] side, that you are among those living today who are called by His Name, who are His people and His servants. And remember, this has always been unique, only the few.
Isaiah laments the apostasy and subsequent punishment of Israel – the nation that was supposed to nurture and nourish the people of God. Their rebellion and downfall was inexplicable – how could anyone reject and desert such blessedness? Their refusal to repent and to turn back to God in the face of His discipline was also inexplicable – Isaiah wrote about God hardening their hearts, and causing them to continue their wandering away from Him. But it was in fact their own wicked rebellion, their fault not His. Isaiah laments the devastation of the nation of Israel – whose 600 year reign over Palestine was soon to end forever, with the Assyrian conquest of the northern tribes about 700 B.C. and the Babylonian captivity of the southern tribes that occurred around 600 B.C.. Isaiah’s description of the land and the people is tragic: “We have become like those over whom You have never ruled, like those who are not called by Your Name” – just like the wicked and ignorant nations around them.
We lament the same dynamics which occur around us in the world even today. We all know people who have forsaken the fellowship of God’s people, who have deserted “the Way,” who no longer walk with us as God’s children through this present age. We see that the darkness and ignorance of unbelief in modern times is little better than that of the ancient pagan nations. Consider the 50 million abortions just in America over the past 40 years – that is a lot of blood and gore sacrificed to the perverse desires of people committed to wickedness and immorality. Yet there are still people who repent, who each day lament their sins of weakness, who humbly rejoice each day in God’s salvation in Christ Jesus, in His gracious mercy and love, people who re-commit themselves to God’s ways, His goodness, people who hold to the Book, to God’s Word, the sacred writings of the prophets and apostles. And we are still committed to spreading the good news of God’s love, His gift of salvation to others, that they may return to God and also be His people, His servants. But it is unique and precious to be called by His Name – and we should cherish it. It is also trying and sorrowful – as we see in Isaiah’s words. But God will uphold us and bless us, and finally bring us to His eternal kingdom. Ultimately, He will judge and prevail – and His children of light will no longer suffer proximity to the darkness.
Prayer For The Day
Dear Lord Jesus, help us to see human history correctly, so that we see our own time in this world with clarity and wisdom. Grant us comfort in the fact that we share much with Your people of all times and places. Help us to see the contrast clearly, that we never succumb to any temptation to turn away from You. Grant us faithful fellowships, churches that nurture and nourish true faith in You, that rejoice to adhere to Your Word, and which also call others to know You and to submit to Your rule. Keep us strong in these latter evil days, looking eagerly for the wondrous good that is soon to come. Amen.