Isaiah 59

Isaiah 59:15-16 NIV

Truth is nowhere to be found,
and whoever shuns evil becomes a prey.
The Lord  looked and was displeased
that there was no justice.
He saw that there was no one,
he was appalled that there was no one to intervene;
so his own arm achieved salvation for him,
and his own righteousness sustained him.

The "People of God" are not people of God at all. Their way is filled with violence, injustice and wickedness. Those few who attempt to avoid evil are taken advantage of by others. God is not only displeased, he is appalled. God's people are supposed to be the representatives of God on this earth. They are supposed to express and reflect his glory. They are intended to be a light to the nations, a flicker of hope, decency and sanity in an otherwise dark world. Instead they have embraced the darkness and there is no light.

How does God respond. Does he just give up? Does he choose to destroy Israel and start over like he suggested once to Moses? No! He sends a redeemer.

Isaiah 59:20 NIV

"The Redeemer will come to Zion,
to those in Jacob who repent of their sins,"
declares the Lord .

That is mercy and grace. That is the nature and character of the God we serve. He will not allow his glory to be drug through the mud of sin and selfishness. Neither will he allow those created in his image to go on without hope. He provides redemption when all hope appears to be lost. He provides a redeemer when one is not deserved.

Father, I confess that I do not deserve your grace and mercy. Too often my life is characterized much more by the sin you describe in this chapter than by a holiness that reflects your glory. Yet, you sent your redeemer. In him I trust. Today may my life reflect your grace and mercy.

By His grace,
Rick Weinert

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