Sermon # 33 - With God We Will Win Series

The Message translation, explains Isaiah 54:17 this way: “but no weapon that can hurt you has ever been forged. Any accuser who takes you to court will be dismissed as a liar.” (MSG)

The second part of Isaiah 54:17 says, “and their righteousness comes from me, says the Lord.” (BBE)

The word of assurance from the Lord is that there is absolutely no weapon that the enemy can forge, to harm those who belong to God. The other part of this verse reiterates the truth that even if someone were to indict us with their deceitful words, the accusation they brought forth will be nullified as false. To understand this, let us consider a case in the court of law. If for instance, someone brought a charge against us, and took us to court, if during the trial, as we stand before the judge, the allegations are proved false, the charges that were framed against us will not stand, and the case will be dismissed.

This promise of Isaiah 54:17 is applicable to those who stand without fault before God, whose righteousness comes from Him alone. We will study Isaiah 54 in depth to see how it will be possible for us to be made righteous, so that we can stand faultless before God.

Two states of mankind

Isaiah 54 describes two states of people, and the important aspects that characterize both these groups.

The first group

• Isaiah 54:1, “a barren woman” (NKJV) referring to a dry and fruitless situation that many people feel they are trapped in.

• Isaiah 54:6, “a woman who is forsaken and grieved in spirit.” (NKJV)

• Isaiah 54:8, “With a little wrath I hid My face from you for a moment” (NKJV).There are many who are in such situations, where they feel that their prayers are unanswered and God has turned His face away from them.

• Isaiah 54:11, “O you afflicted one, tossed with tempest, and not comforted,” (NKJV). Describes a situation where one is in deep distress, literally tossed about. and with no ray of hope or comfort whatsoever.

The above mentioned verses describe the adverse or unfavorable state in which people in the first group are found; barren, forsaken, rejected and brought low, and all of these are the consequence of sin.

The second group

• Isaiah 54:1, “For more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married woman,” says the Lord. (NKJV)

• Isaiah 54:3,“For you shall expand to the right and to the left” (NKJV)

• Isaiah 54:4,“Do not fear, for you will not be ashamed; Neither be disgraced, for you will not be put to shame” (NKJV)

• Isaiah 54:7“But with great mercies I will gather you” (NKJV)

• Isaiah 54:8“But with everlasting kindness I will have mercy on you” (NKJV)

• Isaiah 54:9, “So have I sworn That I would not be angry with you, nor rebuke you.” (NKJV)

• Isaiah 54:14, “In righteousness you shall be established; you shall be far from oppression, for you shall not fear; and from terror, for it shall not come near you.” (ESV)

The second state of mankind as detailed in the above mentioned verses is in total contrast to the first. It described a life of fullness (many children), growth (expand to the right and to the left), abounding with great mercies, the kindness of God, grace of God and a life where there is no fear but total confidence.