Why Do The Rescued Praise The Lord? Series

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):