There are many things that people fear or dread happening throughout their lives. People fear an enemy’s attack, whether a personal enemy, or that of a foreign nation in a war. People fear poverty and the needs that go along with that. We fear storms, especially here in the U.S. in the last month with the numerous strong hurricanes that have come. The ultimate fear people have is that of death, whether for ourselves or for loved ones. In our Old Testament Scripture for this week, the Prophet Isaiah touches on each of these fears, and gives God’s promises to His children.
When people give us a promise there is always the chance that they will fail to keep that promise. Some people are better at keeping their word then others are, but as fallen humans, no one keeps their word each and every time. However, we can depend on God to keep His Word, as He is faithful and true (vs. 1).
The people of Israel had many enemies who boasted about how strong and powerful they were, and about their mighty, fortified cities that would never fall. All through history we have heard the same boasting from various powers, but where are they now? Ultimately the cities of mankind will fall into ruins, and nations of the earth will be brought low and humbled before God (vs. 2-3). When Jesus reigns on earth, all the nations from the whole earth will bow before Him giving Him glorification and fear (Philippians 2:10-11).
Other fears that many people have are those of poverty, or of terribly destructive storms that can often lead to poverty (vs. 4-5). The prophet Isaiah reminds us that God is concerned for the poor, and He will be a refuge for them. God is a refuge. He is Someone we can run to when life has become overwhelming, we are in distress and are sinking in our problems. Jesus never turned a poor person away. He stated that the Kingdom of God belongs to the poor, to those who rely on God for everything, rather than on themselves (Luke 6:20). God alone is a refuge from the storm. He gives strength to the weak, shelter to the homeless, shade to the fainting. Jesus assumes full responsibility for our needs when we obey Him.
The final fear that people face is that of death. That is one thing that no one can escape. Death comes for each and every one of us. However, that is an enemy that Jesus Christ has defeated, and if we have put our faith and trust in Him, we do not need to fear that, either. As Isaiah concludes this Scripture passage, he tells us that God will swallow up death, that enemy of ours which has been swallowing up human beings since the days of Adam and Eve (vs. 8). As followers of Jesus Christ, we have an amazing hope. It is the hope of eternal life. One day we will see God face to face. Death will be swallowed up, and He will wipe every tear away. The Apostle Paul spoke of the fulfillment of this promise in the resurrection of believers (I Corinthians 15:54). God will remove all of the sorrow that is associated with death (Revelation 7:17; 21:4).
A veil of ignorance and evil covers the world (vs. 7). It covers the eyes, like an old-time funeral shroud, blinding us to God’s love. It is a cloud of gloom. Without God, we have only darkness, confusion, and despair. We grope and stumble, unable to see our way. God promises that He will destroy this shroud. He will not leave us hopeless.
God has promised a banquet in His heavenly kingdom to all believers and followers of Him (vs. 6). All people, both believing Jews and Gentiles, will be at God’s heavenly feast. He always intended for His saving message to go out into the whole world, to all people. The people who are at this feast are all those who have been saved by faith. God will remove that veil of ignorance, that death shroud, from those at His banquet.
In closing, we need to remember that God promises to act on the behalf of those who wait for Him. Believe the promises of God, and trust Him to fulfill them all.
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