Thought for July 9th. “THIS IS THE ONE TO WHOM I WILL LOOK”

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Today and tomorrow we read the final 2 chapters of Isaiah. God expresses through the prophet his lament for those who turn away from him, those who “insulted me” – to whom he says, “do not come near me, for I am too holy for you” [65 v.5,7]

In contrast his true servants “shall sing for gladness of heart” and “his servants he will call by another name … (and he) shall bless himself by the God of truth … because the former troubles are forgotten … for behold I create new heavens and a new earth” [v.14-17]. This will be “for my people who have sought me” [v.10].

This is the vital question for all people – do they seek God or not – do they see him as the God of truth? Isaiah is writing for his people, the Jews, but those words also apply to everyone, for when Jesus came and died his sacrifice was for people of all nations. His final words to his disciples at the end of Matthew’s gospel are, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptising them … teaching them to observe all I have commanded you.

Consider more of what God said through Isaiah, “the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind. But be glad and rejoice forever …” [v.17,18] Nature itself will be changed, “The wolf and the lamb shall graze together; the lion shall eat straw like the ox … they shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, says the LORD” [v.25,26].

In Chapter 66 these words jump out at us! “… this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word.” [v.2] That reminds us of how Jesus started his ‘Sermon on the mount’ – “Blessed are the poor (lowly) in spirit (attitude of mind)”

Let us aim to be among those to whom God “will look”? Whether we will be part of the wondrous time we are reading about depends on our attitude and convictions now. Our last quote is from v.14 of this final chapter, “You shall see, and your heart shall rejoice … the hand of the LORD shall be known to his servants …” Let us set our minds on God and his son every day and make each day count in service before them.