Isaiah 57

Isaiah 57:13, 20-21 NIV

When you cry out for help,
let your collection of idols save you!
The wind will carry all of them off,
a mere breath will blow them away.
But whoever takes refuge in me
will inherit the land
and possess my holy mountain."

But the wicked are like the tossing sea,
which cannot rest,
whose waves cast up mire and mud.
"There is no peace," says my God, "for the wicked."

Even in death the righteous find peace. The wicked have no such hope. Their idols are helpless, hopeless and powerless. There comes a point after which it is too late to ask for help. Israel had reached that point. Were there still some righteous individuals among "God's people"? Yes! Would they be spared when judgment came against Israel? Maybe, but this chapter begins with the reminder that, "the righteous are taken away
to be spared from evil. Those who walk uprightly enter into peace; they find rest as they lie in death." Isaiah 57:1b-2 NIV

By way of contrast, the wicked, even if their lives are spared, find no rest. An idol is anything other than God to which we look for security, significance and satisfaction. Money can be an idol. Education, jobs and careers, families, people, a privileged position in society or a false religion can be an idol. Our husband or wife can be an idol if we think that they can I somehow bring us peace apart from God. The truth is that trusting any of those things for security, significance and satisfaction in life is like trusting your life to a boat full of holes on the sea of life.

Father, forgive me for the times I have looked to people, places, things or events to provide for me what only you can truly offer. Thank you that it is not yet too late to cry out to you for help. Thank you that in you I have a hope that goes beyond this life. Today may I walk in the peace of righteousness that you give.

By His grace,
Rick Weinert

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