“‘…more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married wife,’ says the Lord.” Isaiah 54:2
Dear Ones:
Though the previous verse of Scripture is found in the writings of Isaiah, the apostle Paul also used it in his letter to the Galatians. Why? It is because of the consistent, applicable truth of the verse. However, it is not just the idea of truth that is important here. The promise that is declared is the specific commitment of God, according to the truth, to work in a certain way, at a specific time, doing that which only He can do. In the case of Israel, of whom Isaiah was speaking, he was addressing the promised blessing of Israel to be revealed, and realized by God, after the “desolation” of invasion, and judgment that she had brought on herself. We see this judgement again and again in the history of Israel, when there is the “treating lightly” of God’s covenant with her. She neglects the weight of the blessing of God with regard to the revelation of His presence and manifestation of His goodness, to slip into the acceptance of false, idolatrous ideas of God. The Lord cannot bless any lie of Himself, especially if that lie is embraced. There would then occur the only recourse that God would have, in order to save the people. They would become the servants of “godless” nations. It seems that only in this way the people would “remember” the blessing and the covenant of their God, repent of their foolish ways, returning to Him. However, that which is essential to see here is, not only how God works to bring the people back, but to grasp something of His heart in providing them with hope going forward. Jeremiah writes: “‘For I know the thoughts that I think toward you,’ saith the Lord, ‘thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected (…or hope-filled) end.'” (29:11) As was the case in Jesus’ parable of the prodigal son, so it will be with Israel. In spite of the wretchedness of his situation, the prodigal son had a hope, the certainty that he would be received by His loving father. The Lord, like the father in the parable, has given to all men, and especially to believers, the hope of being received by Him. It is a promise of blessing which God alone can give and accomplish. Why then the matter of the “promise?” It is because of the hope that it declares, the certainty of its realization, and the faithfulness of the One who has declared it.
In one of Moses’ prayers, he specifically asks God: “Show me now Thy way, that I may know Thee.” (33:13) What is this “way” of God, as revealed to Moses, and to us, that we might know Him? Paul tells us concerning Abraham, “And being fully persuaded that, what He (God) had promised, He was able also to perform.” (4:21) The author of the letter to the Hebrews wrote concerning Sarah, Abraham’s wife: “…she judged Him (God) faithful who had promised.” (11:11) God’s “way” in dealing with man is to declare, not only the truth, but truth that has an “expected end,” or hope and certainty of realization. He proclaims, or reveals, what He will do and accomplish. Then, He addresses all men everywhere, calling them to commit themselves to believe Him to realize what He has declared for His glory. It is as the individual believer learns the truth, hears the promise, and commits himself, or herself, to believe in the unalterable faithfulness of God to fulfill His word, that God is pleased, and reveals Himself to the heart. We see this, as expressed in the words of Jesus to Martha after Lazarus had died, “Said I not unto you, that if you believe, you would SEE the glory of God?” (Jn. 11:40) The God of Abraham, and of Moses, was and is that One who spoke that day at the tomb of Lazarus. He is the same today, and His way that we might know Him, has never changed.
Dear Father, Give us to know well Your promises, and strength to believe You fully to accomplish them. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad