Isaiah 33

As I read this chapter yet again I am filled with a strange sense of joy and peace and brokeness--joy at the future which awaits me, a future in Zion in the very presence of the Almighty God of the universe; peace at the hope this brings, at the very fact that nothing, nor anyone, in this world can seperate me from the love of God (Romans 8:38-39); but brokenness in the realization that in the past couple weeks I have drifted off the narrow path, been distracted by the desires of the world, and forgotten the hope, the joy, and the future I have in heaven.

I believe it's important to remember and think about our future in Paradise with God. If nothing else, it gives us hope in this chaotic world and gives us a reason to keep fighting, to keep living for God. It gives us a reason to walk righteously, speak truthfully, despise the gain of oppression, deal honestly and with integrity, turn away from evil (Isaiah 33:15)...

Isaiah 32:9-20

These verses in Isaiah refer a time before Christ’s incarnation as well as the day when he will establish his throne on this earth. And we should find hope and encouragement in this promise. I do, anyway. There is hope of a better life, a life to come, and it is part of what keeps me going each day. I have something to live toward; something to look forward to. When Christ Jesus returns, he will reign righteousness and justice(Isaiah 9:7; 32:1, Jeremiah 23:5) and there will be peace in the land forever (Isaiah 32:17).

But what about now? It is often discouraging and frustrating and depressing when I look around me at the world I live in and see evil and sinfulness running rampant; and injustice seems to prevail. I feel as Henry Wadsworth Longfellow felt when he penned these words to his poem, Christmas Bells:

"And in despair I bowed my head;

'There is no peace on earth,' I said;

'For hate is strong,

And mocks the song

Of peace on earth, good-will to men.'"

Pause for a moment and reflect on what it would feel like to live in a land full of peace, quietness, and trust.

In a fast paced, chaotic, and evil world, I would love to experience this more than ever. And yet we can. Verse 15 of this chapter says, “Until the Spirit is poured upon us from on high…” Did this not happen at Pentecost (Acts 2)?

However the world and the Evil one is or has been or will treat you, remember that as Christians, God’s has given you His Spirit (1 John 4:13) and when trials, tribulations, and raging storms come, in Christ you can experience peace, quietness, and trust forever.

Isaiah 32:1-8

I have been dwelling on these verses for a long while now, unable to understand what God is saying here through Isaiah, the prophet.

As I’ve read this passage over and over again, I have found encouragement and peace and rest.  I have taken solace knowing that I can, and one day will, find peace and rest from the difficulties of life.  Evil will not endure forever but will fall.  I have found encouragement and confidence in verse 8. 

And yet I have been continually at a loss for words to express my thoughts on these verses.  Perhaps the reason is that they are prophetic.

Behold.

Stop.

Pay attention.

A king will reign in righteousness.  CHRIST, our LORD, will reign in righteousness (Revelation 11:15).

No matter how hard or bad or difficult life gets, and it will get harder, we as Christians have the hope of one day, and possibly sooner than we might think, living under the declared reign of Christ, the king of righteousness.  And we will rule with him (Eph 2:6).

Isaiah 32:2-5 tells us what the reign of Christ will be like.

Are you looking eagerly for Christ’s return?  Staying alert, lest you be caught off guard? Let these verse serve as a reminder and an encouragement that God will triumph over evil and that Christ will return to establish his kingdom and to reign in righteousness.