Good morning
Stand with me and lift your Bible and repeat after me.
This is my Bible.
I am what it says I am
I can do what it says I can do.
I am going to learn more of the Word of God.
The indestructible, never ending, living Word of God.
I will never be the same.
I will never be the same.
Amen.
Before you are seated, please say, "Hello" to someone you have not met before.
Open your Bible to Isaiah Chapter 57 and say, "Amen" when you are there.
Isaiah 57: "A Heart Open to Healing"
Today, we’re delving into Isaiah 57, a chapter that shows us the sharp contrast between two paths: one of rebellion and one of humility.
Isaiah reminds us of the danger in drifting from God to follow our own ways, but he also reveals God’s astonishing love and readiness to heal anyone willing to come with a humble heart.
In this passage, we see that even when we wander, God’s grace is waiting, inviting us to return to Him. Let’s explore what it means to have a heart open to healing—a heart ready to let God transform, forgive, and restore.
I. The Destructive Path of Rebellion (Isaiah 57:3-13)
Isaiah addresses the people’s deep spiritual drift, calling out their pursuit of idols and misplaced desires.
The people had turned to anything that promised satisfaction, but these pursuits led them into emptiness. God doesn’t ignore this behavior. He’s blunt in describing their weariness from this endless chase: "You were wearied by all your ways, but you would not say, ‘It is hopeless’; you found renewal of your strength, and so you did not faint” (v. 10). Yet even as they tire, they refuse to turn back.
Many of us know what it’s like to chase after something, hoping it will bring fulfillment—money, relationships, success—but finding only dissatisfaction.
God sees this struggle, and He wants to relieve us of that burden. We must recognize these patterns in our lives and remember that only God can fill our deepest needs. In giving our desires back to Him, we find true peace and freedom.
II. God’s Heart for the Humble and Contrite (Isaiah 57:15)
Then comes one of the most powerful verses in Scripture, a glimpse into the heart of God.
Verse 15 tells us, “For this is what the high and exalted One says—He who lives forever, whose name is holy: ‘I live in a high and holy place, but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.’”
God, who dwells in unapproachable holiness, also chooses to be close to those who admit their need for Him. He doesn’t look for perfect people but for humble hearts.
God is always near to those who seek Him in humility.
When we come to God, admitting our need for Him and recognizing our own limits, we invite His presence into our lives in a new way. A humble heart isn’t weak—it’s one that knows where to find true strength. If you’re carrying a burden, struggling with sin, or feeling distant from God, know that He is close to you and ready to revive your spirit.
III. God’s Promise of Healing and Peace (Isaiah 57:18-21)
As we move to verses 18-21, we hear God’s promise: “I have seen their ways, but I will heal them; I will guide them and restore comfort to Israel’s mourners, creating praise on their lips.”
God’s response to repentance isn’t condemnation; it’s restoration. He offers healing, comfort, and renewed joy.
For those who let Him in, He gives peace—peace that fills every broken place and every hurt. But for the unrepentant, for those who insist on rejecting Him, there remains only turmoil, for "There is no peace," says my God, "for the wicked" (v. 21).
God doesn’t just forgive our sins; He restores our souls.
His healing reaches deep, creating praise and thankfulness in us.
When we surrender ourselves, we open the door to this peace that only God can give. Perhaps you’ve been holding onto something—wounds, fears, regrets. Whatever it is, God invites you to lay it down. He is faithful to give peace where there has been pain and calm where there has been chaos.
Isaiah 57 is a powerful call to recognize the paths before us: one that leads away from God in self-reliance and one that leads to Him in humility. God is calling us to turn from anything that keeps us from Him and to trust that, in His hands, we will find healing, comfort, and peace.
Today, may we open our hearts to God’s healing and allow Him to work within us, reviving and renewing every broken place.
Let’s pray.
Father, we thank You for Your mercy and grace that meet us right where we are. We come before You with humble hearts, acknowledging our need for You. Lord, forgive us for the times we have chased after things that could never satisfy. Help us to turn from anything that distracts us from You. We thank You for Your promise of healing, comfort, and peace. Restore our hearts, Lord, and renew our spirits. Fill us with Your presence and make us instruments of Your peace. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Invitation to Come Forward for Prayer:
As we close, I invite anyone who feels led to come forward for prayer. If there is an area in your life where you need God’s healing touch, or if there’s something you need to lay down before Him, come forward. This is your time to seek God and open your heart to Him. We have a prayer team ready to stand with you. You don’t have to carry these burdens alone. Please come forward, and let’s trust God for healing, comfort, and peace.
