“Sing, O barren one, who did not bear; break forth into singing and cry aloud, you who have not been in labor! For the children of the desolate one will be more than the children of her who is married,” says the Lord. 2 “Enlarge the place of your tent,
and let the curtains of your habitations be stretched out; do not hold back; lengthen your cords and strengthen your stakes. 3 For you will spread abroad to the right and to the left, and your offspring will possess the nations and will people the desolate cities. 4 “Fear not, for you will not be ashamed; be not confounded, for you will not be disgraced; for you will forget the shame of your youth, and the reproach of your widowhood you will remember no more. 5 For your Maker is your husband, the Lord of hosts is his name; and the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer, the God of the whole earth he is called. 6 For the Lord has called you like a wife deserted and grieved in spirit, like a wife of youth when she is cast off, says your God. 7 For a brief moment I deserted you, but with great compassion I will gather you. 8 In overflowing anger for a moment I hid my face from you, but with everlasting love I will have compassion on you,” says the Lord, your Redeemer. 9 “This is like the days of Noah to me: as I swore that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth, so I have sworn that I will not be angry with you, and will not rebuke you. 10 For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you. 11 “O afflicted one, storm-tossed and not comforted, behold, I will set your stones in antimony, and lay your foundations with sapphires. 12 I will make your pinnacles of agate, your gates of carbuncles, and all your wall of precious stones. 13 All your children shall be taught by the Lord, and great shall be the peace of your children. 14 In righteousness you shall be established; you shall be far from oppression, for you shall not fear; and from terror, for it shall not come near you. 15 If anyone stirs up strife, it is not from me; whoever stirs up strife with you shall fall because of you. 16 Behold, I have created the smith who blows the fire of coals and produces a weapon for its purpose. I have also created the ravager to destroy; 17 no weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed, and you shall refute every tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord and their vindication from me, declares the Lord.” Meditation God’s covenant faithfulness is astounding and His covenant blessings are abounding. Launching from the amazing grace we discover in the servant celebration of chapter 53, we dive into the blessings of God’s covenant faithfulness for all who believe. Peace from God’s promises flow like a river. Nothing can separate us from his love. Jesus is the yes and amen of all God’s covenant promises. The anticipation has been rising since chapter 39- A people being disciplined with exile (39:5-7) would not be condemned (40:1-2) because of the work of the Servant (52:12-53). How can a Holy God not punish a rebellious people forever? God made a covenant, a promise guaranteed by His Word. God keeps His promises! God has been faithful to the covenant He made with Abraham (1-3). God reveals His steadfast love through the covenant of marriage- Our Maker is our Husband who called us and redeemed us through His compassion on us (5-8). God’s wrath was abated with the flood before His covenant with Noah (9). God’s wrath was eternally satisfied by the flood of judgment that overcame the Servant (53). Through the work of the Servant there is peace that cannot be removed (10-17). We are established in the covenant of peace by righteousness given to us (14). The promise is for our children, too (13). Though we all like sheep have gone astray (53:6) the Lord afflicted the Servant to secure His covenant faithfulness and forgive our sins. His steadfast love will not depart from us (10)! Richly Dwelling -Do you feel unlovable by God from your sin and failures? Why? -How does the promise of God’s covenant faithfulness empower and enrich your faith? His steadfast love will not depart from you! -God gives peace with Him through His servant, Jesus Christ. Do you know this peace? How can you grow this peace, personally and through sharing with others? Key Verse 10 For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you. Comments are closed.
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AuthorPastor Mitchell celebrates twenty-five years of marriage with Lisa & together they have four adventurous children. |