Wednesday, January 25, 2023

             Isaiah’s name means “God is salvation.”  He carried a good name for a prophet of the Almighty.  In his next to last chapter, he wrote, “See, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind” (Isaiah 65:17).  And then near the end of his prophecy, he wrote, “’As the new heavens and the new earth that I make will endure before me,’ declares the Lord, ‘so will your name and descendants endure’” (Isaiah 66:22).  He wrote about things yet to come—or pending promises.  And his words are encouraging to us today as we read them.  God granted this prophet insight and understanding about future events and the way He has promised to work.  There are four lessons we can take from Isaiah’s message.
            First, we learn that God is still at work.  He has not retired or withdrawn from the affairs of creation.  He has not handed off control to governments, businesses or organizations.  He is still at work unfolding His plans for the future.  We may not always see what God is doing.  And indeed, with human eyes, we can at best look through a glass darkly.  But faith is taking God at His Word and confidently believing that He is doing and will continue doing what He has promised. 
            Second, we can be encouraged by knowing that good things await us.  God is not just renovating or rehabbing the creation, He is remaking and recreating it.  The trials, troubles and travails of this world will one day cease—to be replaced by something new made by God’s own perfect hands.  We look forward to the day when disease and discord become things of the past—not to be remembered or even brought to mind God promises.  What a joyous day to anticipate and long for!  Imagine unbroken fellowship with God and all other believers in a setting free from sin and separation.
            Third, nothing will wreck or ruin this new creation.  We sadly recall that the serpent entered the Garden of Eden and in merely a matter of minutes and a few well-chosen words deceived Adam and Eve and injected rebellion and disobedience into God’s perfect creation.  But when God makes a new heaven and a new earth, the enemy will be banished.  The guile and cunning ways of the enemy will have no place or foothold.  Injuries and accidents will cease to exist.  Hunger, worry, fear and dread will have no quarters to occupy and frustrate us.  This new order that God makes will last for all times.  We will not long for anything else or something new. 
            And fourth, God’s people will live forever.  Death has been banished and replaced by life.  We remember the reality of the cross and how Christ died so that we might live forever.  One first-century Friday afternoon in Israel forever changed our destiny and direction.  Death has no hold or claim.  Death itself dies.  And with new lives that last forever we will sing of His greatness and glory and live in the joy that He has brought to us.  Baptism reminds us that we have died to the old ways and the old things of life so that we might rise again in Christ and live forever.  Long before you and I knew of Christ, Isaiah was granted the joy of seeing God’s future work. 
            Isaiah encourages us a final time with these words in 66:1, “This is what the LORD says: ‘Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool.’”  The prophet gives us a portrait or glimpse of God so we will know His awesome presence and power.  There should be no doubts that God will finish what He has started and complete what He has promised.  We can live with that certainty in the bleak and long days of winter, sickness or distress.  And even in those joyous times and festive occasions, we are reminded that something even better is on the way.  Have a great Wednesday.  Remember you can worship with us anytime at youtube.com/FirstBaptistKannapolis.