God answers Isaiah’s prayer by exposing rebellious hearts, preserving his servants, and promising a new creation filled with joy, security, fellowship, and peace.
When God seems distant, his people remember his mercy, confess their sin, and plead for him to come down and save.
The divine warrior comes alone to judge evil and redeem his people, so that salvation is secured and wickedness is finally destroyed.
The Spirit-anointed Messiah proclaims grace, restores the ruined city, gives his people new names, and calls them to pray until his salvation shines.
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…”
God’s glory rises upon his people, draws the nations home, transforms the ruined city, and becomes their everlasting light.
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.