God answers Isaiah’s prayer by exposing rebellious hearts, preserving his servants, and promising a new creation filled with joy, security, fellowship, and peace.
Over the past twelve weeks, while we have been reading and preaching through Isaiah, I have also been reading Charles Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities.
Dickens begins his novel with some of the most famous words in English literature:
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…”
Sin separates God’s people from him and leaves them powerless, but when they confess their desperate condition, the LORD himself comes as warrior and Redeemer.
God rejects religious practices that conceal selfishness and injustice, but promises light, healing, guidance, and joy to those whose repentance reshapes their lives.