Isaiah, Part 11
Why do the rescued praise the Lord?
Isaiah 26:7-21 (Wed: 27:1-13)
Introduction
- Welcome to Seasons! We are so glad you are here today.
- Last week, we saw God’s people praise Him during His judgments because:
• His people are kept under His protection in a city created by Him
• It is a city whose entry is guarded (walls/gates) and (key for us)
• Later in the Gospels we learn that the only way in is through Christ
- Today, I’d like us to examine a little deeper this song of praise …
-- We have two key questions to explore; we’ll see explore on the handout
- Read Isaiah 26:1 (re-read 1-6) - 21 / PRAY
Know this up front:
• A day is coming when the Lord will deal with the arrogance of this world
• He will handle the proud, the arrogant, the disrespectful, and the rebellious
• Once this is completed – then He will lift up the poor and the needy …
• Those who’ve been rejected and cast aside by a selfish society
- The day of God’s judgement will bring a reversal of position, power, and wealth
-- The proud will be ruined, and the poor and the humble will be lifted up
Point 1 – Question 1: Why do God’s people praise Him?
- Isaiah highlights that the faithful are looked on as insignificant or unimportant
• This is especially true of those who live righteously for the Lord
• They are people who are not to valued / trusted / let in / ridiculed for faith
• Why? Because they seek to please God over what society wants!
- FACT: There is a real inner fight with selfishness every day (led by our flesh)
• The Bible warns us that it’s a dangerous position to live in
• If you struggle with pride, pay attention to these words today; Jesus said:
-- Matthew 23:12, “But those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” ? Way to live, clearly taught/outlined
- So, let’s see what God does that causes His people to praise:
1. Levels the pathways for the righteous
• KEY: He will act on behalf of those who are faithful yet pushed aside
• Why? Because He will not allow bad treatment of His people forever
• He will make sure nothing prevents the righteous from their reward
- Might ask: Who are considered ‘righteous’? (v7)
• People who obey judgments (laws) of the Lord
• People who wait patiently on the Lord
• People who diligently seek to glorify the name of the Lord
• People who yearn for and seek the Lord
- Righteous people strive to obey God’s Word; they desire to live for Him (v8)
• It comes through in everything they do – categorized by devotion to Him
• SEE: It’s not people who ‘do good things’ hoping to be recognized
• God promises to act on behalf of those who are faithful to Him
-- Matthew 7:13-14, “You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it.” ? Living for God is not easy, it takes discipline!
2. Executes His judgment on the Earth
• KEY: God has a very specific reason for His judgments:
• To show people how to live righteously & to draw people to Himself
• This is precisely what Jesus did – He showed us the traits of the Father!
- When disaster strikes, people often tend to gravitate toward God (v9b)
• Know this: God hears the cries of those who seek Him
• But He does not chase after those who act on their own interests
• “God helps those who help themselves” is not biblical - requoted by Ben Franklin! (English political theorist Algernon Sidney orig. wrote in 1698)
- FACT: The selfish have little spiritual understanding of the Lord or His Word
• It is why there is such rebellion to the things of God (v10)
• We want to be in control, to have our things and our wants met
• Thus, anything that goes against that (God’s Will) becomes detestable to us
3. He gives His people peace and He strengthens them
• Looking back at Israel’s experiences, he remembers God’s rescue (v12)
• Isaiah even foretells that those who are conquered are not coming back (v14)
• APP: We will not continue to be attacked by those God has defeated (hope)
- Take a moment to consider the wonderful promises of God (New Testament):
• God promises to flood the hearts of His people with peace
-- John 14:27, “I am leaving you with a gift - peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.”
• God even promises to strengthen His people in times of oppression
-- Philippians 2:13, “For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.”
- TR: We would be remiss if we didn’t talk about God’s incredible assurance …
Point 2 – Question 2: What does God promise to do for His people?
- First, know that God will discipline His people (vv16-18)
• He disciplines us when we sin and fail to be witnesses for Him
• It is a sign of maturity to change, grow, when God is pressing into you
• Challenge to the follower to see: Psalm 94:12, “Joyful are those you discipline, Lord, those you teach with your instructions.”
- BIG: God promises to raise the dead from the dust of the ground! (v19)
-- Isaiah saw that the deceased followers of the Lord will LIVE! (hope)
-- He confesses that their bodies will physically rise from the ground!
-- Hebrew: ye-qu-mun ne-be-la-ti me-te-ka yih-yu
-- They shall arise (together with) my dead body; your dead shall live!
- Some apply this to the ‘restoration of Israel’ (seen in Eze 36-37)
-- However, the word use here is very specific … body (individual)
• Hebrew: nebelah; carcass, corpse, dead body
• Hebrew: chayah; to live, to be alive, to revive, to restore to life
-- It’s too specific to consider this being addressed to an entire nation
- Through God’s inspiration Isaiah predicts a revival of the faithful!
-- He is giving a nod to the restoration; to the rapture; to a resurrection in God!
-- He is talking to the remnant on ‘that day’ to not be afraid, to know it is God
- Why? B/C in that day (v21) the Lord will be seen coming from Heaven!
-- On that day, those who are faithful will WAKE UP and SHOUT with PRAISE!!
-- John 5:28-29, “Don’t be so surprised! Indeed, the time is coming when all the dead in their graves will hear the voice of God’s Son, and they will rise again. Those who have done good will rise to experience eternal life, and those who have continued in evil will rise to experience judgment.” ? Isaiah sees; Jesus later confirms!
Big Idea
- See this: God clearly tells us to prepare for His coming – why?
1. Believers must be prepared because the Lord is coming to punish the people of the Earth for their sins (know: unconfessed sin has not been repented of)
2. Believers must be prepared because the Earth will no longer hide the sins of men (know: light of God will expose the evil deeds of humanity)
- Listen to what God’s word says: Matthew 24:42-44, “So you, too, must keep watch! For you don’t know what day your Lord is coming. Understand this: If a homeowner knew exactly when a burglar was coming, he would keep watch and not permit his house to be broken into. You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected.” ? SEE: Clarity comes from God
- Action item: We must heed the warning of the Lord; same warning Isaiah tells!
-- Why? Because He is returning to judge the Earth; not to scare, to prepare us!
-- He’s not a God of fear, but love – gives us sufficient warning of what is ahead!
- We are going to pick up right here on Wednesday night with Ch 27 (Homework)
-- Want us to see how God uses this message this week so here is a challenge:
• Where do you see God’s word needing to be shared?
• We share a responsibility to be messengers, to tell what we know
• This is all that Isaiah is doing, and we are now encouraged to do also …
My verse of the day: James 1:12: “God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.” ? Do you believe it?
- Pray
