Fear No Fear

(All scripture from Lexham English Bible, Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software)

“Would that you would tear the heavens and come down; the mountains would quake before you, as fire kindles brushwood, the fire causes water to boil, to make your name known to your adversaries, that the nations might tremble from your presence.” (Isaiah 64:1-2)

The people of Israel continue their prayer of repentance. They continue to recognise all the efforts of God throughout the ages. All His mercies. All His grace. All the times and all the ways that they had previously rejected Him and His Ways. But now, they call Him Father. Now they acknowledge they are the clay and He is the potter. That they are the work of His hands and in themselves are nothing worth anything. They acknowledge that their land and their cities are wasted and desolate because they rejected Him and His Blessing. They ask, will He hold back forever? Will they be punished forever?

The Lord responded that He had been found by those that didn’t know Him and who had not sought Him (the Gentiles). But the Lord ALSO responded that His hands are spread out all day long for rebellious people who turn back to Him. If they will renounce their rebellion and return to Him, they will be welcomed back. He will recompense everyone. The wicked will get their just deserts. The repentant will get theirs. He has made a new wine (Jesus) to be inherited by His Chosen Ones (all believers, Jew first and then Gentile). His servants will dwell in His land and prosper there. His servants will eat, drink, rejoice, and sing for joy. The wicked will be hungry, thirsty, ashamed, and with heavy hearts will wail in grief. His servants would be known by a new name and they would be blessed in the God of Truth (Jesus).

God was going to create a new heaven and a new Earth. The former would not even come to mind. There would be gladness and rejoicing forever. He would rejoice in Jerusalem and be glad in His people. There would be weeping no longer nor would there be crying. Infants would not die. Old men would live out all their days. Someone who died before one hundred years would be considered cursed and robbed of their natural rights. They will build and the buildings will not be taken from them. They would enjoy the work of their hands for a long time, not a short one. The wolf and lamb would feed together. The lion and bull will eat the same food. Dust will remain the serpent’s food (Genesis 3:14). Nowhere on God’s Holy Mountain would they hurt or destroy.

“Thus says Yahweh: “Heaven is my throne, and the earth is the footstool for my feet. Where is this house that you would build for me? And where is this resting place for me? And my hand has made all these things, and all these came to be,” declares Yahweh, “but I look to this one: to the humble and the contrite of spirit and the one frightened at my word.”” (Isaiah 66:1-2)

True worship is answering when God calls. Listening when God speaks. Choosing that which God finds delight in (choosing to accept God’s point of view on everything). Humbling yourself before God. Submitting to the Word and what is recorded there – regardless of personal opinion. Accepting the Way of the Lord (Jesus) and not turning away from it. True worship is True and in Spirit (John 4:24). It is WHOLE HUMAN (body/soul/spirit) worship in the fullness of submission to the Lord (Matthew 11:28-30).

Those who tremble and are reverent toward God’s Word will be vindicated. They will be glorified by the Lord so the world will see their Joy in Him. The Lord will be glorified and Jerusalem will rejoice in Him (Jesus). The Lord will extend peace like a river, the glory of nations, and comfort like a mother comforting an infant.

We will all see this and the godly will rejoice in their hearts to see it. Their health will flourish and the hand of the Lord (Jesus) will be KNOWN by His servants (Ephesians 3:14-21). The Lord will come with fire and chariots of whirlwinds. Judgment will come on the wicked and reward to the righteous in Him. By fire and His sword (Jesus, the Word) the Lord will execute this judgment. The hidden will not be able to hide, for He knows their thoughts and hearts. No one can fake it and make it. All God’s children will be returned to His City.

The new heavens and the new earth will remain before Him. In the same way, His children will remain before Him and so will their name. They will worship Him and they will witness the punishment of the wicked, able to look on it and see that all ungodliness is abhorrent.

Summary

Key Players: God, Jesus, Isaiah

Key Verse(s): Isaiah 64:8-12; 65:1-2, 8-10, 13-19; 66:1-2, 5-6, 12-13, 22-24