“Lord, Make Known Your Hand To Your Servants!”

“LORD, Make Known Your Hand To Your Servants!”(Is.66:10:-14a).
“Rejoice with Jerusalem and be glad for her, all you who love her; rejoice greatly with her, all you who mourn over her. For you will nurse and be satisfied at her comforting breasts, you will drink deeply and delight in her overflowing abundance. For this is what the Lord says: ‘I will extend peace to her like a river, and the wealth of nations like a flooding stream; you will nurse and be carried on her arm and dandled on her knees. As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you; and you will be comforted over Jerusalem.’ When you see this, your heart will rejoice, and you will flourish like grass; the hand of the Lord will be made known to his servants…”
Today’s text is from the last chapter of prophet Isaiah. Like the conclusion of many prophetic books, it promises punishment and hope. The LORD has chosen harsh treatment for those who have chosen their own ways. When the LORD called, none of them answered, he spoke, and they did not listen. They did evil in his sight and chose what displeases him. The LORD will bring upon them what they dread(3-4).
On the bright side is the hope of restoration for the LORD’S chosen ones.
We are called upon to rejoice with Jerusalem. Our reason for this rejoicing for Jerusalem should be because the Lord our Saviour has come to us through them as those through whom God chose to reveal his presence.
We have to rejoice not as mere observers but as participant observers. We are part of the hope and restoration that has been wrought through the Lord Jesus Christ.
Dear friend, judgment and hope as a conclusive chapter of Isaiah is not an absolute fulfilment that has been finalised through the risen Lord. It is a foreboding of the Second Coming when Christ comes as a judge to condemn some and to discharge and acquit others; compensating them as well. Where would you belong?
Weekend prayer: LORD, we glorify and magnify your name for unceasing assurance of hope. Amen!
Have a blessed weekend! Peace be with you!
Rev Babila Fochang.
02/05/2025.