Have you been struggling to keep your focus on God and off of the turmoil that is going on around you? Have you been distracted by the chaos that is happening in the news and the experiences of those around you that you forget about the awesome power of God and His goodness? Everything seems to be a mess in so many people’s lives, including mine, that it is easy to be overcome by feelings of defeat and hopelessness. But God promises over and over again that He is walking with us, strengthening us, and guiding us in and through the chaos. He is growing us and teaching us while we walk through the “valley of the shadow of death.” He knows exactly what we are going through, and He has been through worse than anyone can imagine. So, He knows how to empathize and sympathize with us, His people.
In Isaiah, God is strengthening His people. In chapters 34 and 35, it describes God’s final judgment of the world and vindication of His people, with their everlasting happiness. And that is the main message here. God will judge all of us at the end of the age. The activities of the here and now are already recorded in His books. All of the names of the redeemed are recorded in the Lamb’s Book of Life. There are only two types of people in this world right now. Those who trust in God, and those who oppose Him.
God’s word to all who oppose him is that, everlasting wrath is coming, which is chapter 34. In verse 16, it reads, “Seek and read from the book of the LORD.” The book of the LORD is His decrees, His commandments. There are several references in the Bible to “the book of the LORD”. One is Psalm 139:16, where is says, “Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.” God has written in His book everything that we are going to be, say, and do. In Daniel 7:10, Daniel had a God-given vision of the “court” of “judgment”, and the “Ancient of Days took His seat” where the “books were opened.” These “books” are the activities of all people.” And these books are for everyone. However, the most important book of all is the “Book of the Lamb” where those who have trusted in the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ, have their names written in it. This “Book of the Lamb” is also called the “Book of Life” in Revelation 20:12.
"And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the ebook of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done." Revelation 20:12 (ESV).
But God’s word to all who trust Him is that everlasting joy is coming, and this is chapter 35. I came to chapter 35 verse 4 which says, “Say to those who have an anxious heart, ‘Be strong; fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God. He will come and save you.'” He is saying that He will defend His people, those who trust in Him. And He will have His vengeance on those who have hurt and wronged His people.
Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; then shall the lame man leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute sing for joy. ... And the ransomed of the LORD shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. Isaiah 35: 5-6a, 10 (ESV).
All of the trials and struggles that His people have endured will be vindicated. There is true and lasting hope in God. God sees it all, hears it all, knows it all. He sees the tears and anger. He knows the hurt and anguish. And if you trust in Him, you are held and protected in the eternal. The temporary here and now will pass away. When our physical bodies are spent and done, we will pass on from the temporary to the eternal. Which side are you on?
Gotta go fill up my cup…..
Coffee with Candee 