Our scripture this morning is Isaiah 26:1-4.
In that day, everyone in the land of Judah will sing this song: Our city is strong! We are surrounded by the walls of God’s salvation. Open the gates to all who are righteous; allow the faithful to enter. You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! Trust in the Lord always, for the Lord God is the eternal Rock.
The prophet Isaiah was sent to minister to a people in crisis. Stronger, aggressive nations surround Israel, they had forgotten their faith and things looked grim. This portion of his warning is often called the Isaiah Apocalypse, predicting judgement for those who have turned against God.
We can see a sad parallel in our world today. It seems that God’s love and the call to obedience in Him have been replaced by whatever people decide is right at the time. Like the situation Israel faced during the time of Isaiah, we are in need of saving.
In Isaiah 6:8 we read “Then I heard the Lord asking, “Whom should I send as a messenger to this people? Who will go for us?” I said, “Here I am. Send me.”” This is still the call God places on our lives, to go in His name to His people that they might be saved. It is never to late to turn our lives around and to accept the peace He offers us, “for the Lord God is the eternal Rock.”
Patient God, even when we are disobedient and follow our own way, You still love and want to redeem us. Bless us to carry the Good News to all Your children everywhere. Amen.
