Sat.’s Devo - God’s Wrath on the Nations and His Promise to his Remnant

Read: Isaiah 30:12-33:12; Galatians 5:1-12; Psalm 63:1-11; Proverbs 23:22

Isaiah warned them that because they refused to hear the word of the Lord and trusted in oppressing the poor and living according to their own laws instead of God’s, their lives were about to be destroyed. It would be sudden and harsh. The way to be saved was not in fleeing, but in standing and trusting in the Lord. They wouldn’t listen, so they fled when the enemy came.

God desired to show them mercy and to bless them. He waited patiently for them to ask for help, but they refused to trust him and wait for him to act.

A remnant would live in Jerusalem and God would hear their cry. He would be gracious to them and lead them with his spirit. These people will get rid of their idols and the idols of the people. They will be blessed with rain and prosperity. God will multiply them and bless them abundantly. He will bind up their wounds and heal them. 

God will preserve his faithful children while sifting the nations with destruction. The faithful will see the destruction of the wicked and rejoice. Egypt will not be able to help though many will run there. God will rise up against all the people who did evil and those who helped them in their evil work. Man cannot stand against God and win. God is not afraid of mere men and their voices. 

Isaiah calls out to Israel to turn to the Lord. They will find no help in their idols of gold and silver. God’s sword will kill the Assyrians. They will run in panic from God’s army. 

Jesus will reign in righteousness and justice. His government will be rooted in peace and safety. Knowledge, wisdom and understanding will return to the earth. The fool and the scoundrel will be exposed for who they are. Isaiah warned the wealthy women of this day and told them to fear the Lord and repent of their idolatry. Isaiah saw the future of Jerusalem which was barreness and destruction. It would stay that way until God pours out his spirit on them. Then their wilderness would become fruitful once again. They would return to justice and righteousness in the wilderness and dwell in peace. 

The destroyer destroyed because they were evil. They betrayed others, now they will be betrayed. 

Isaiah prayed for God to be gracious to those who were waiting on Him to save them. He knows that God will fill the earth with justice and righteousness once again. The earth will be filled with salvation wisdom and knowledge and the fear of the Lord. But, what Isaiah was seeing was the time of total destruction and ruin. He sees the whole earth being devastated. He sees the fire of God burning out the chaff.

This is what God is doing now in the nations. He is exposing sin and deceit and turning us back to him. It is devastating to see, but glorious because God is cleansing the world of all the idolatry and sin. He will reign on the earth and it will be filled with his glory. Salvation, righteousness and justice will reign. 

In Galatians, Paul was giving them a choice of choosing to rely on circumcision and the law to save them or to trust in Christ to set them free from the law. He reminded them that Jesus is the law of love.

Paul reminded them that they had begun running their race well but had been side-tracked by these false teachers to tried to bring them back under the law. 

Lord, may we see through the subtle ways we are being tempted to get back under the law. May we walk in your grace and favor. Give us strength to stand and wait for your salvation. May we not be side-tracked by the things going on in the earth and miss the one who is orchestrating the rise and fall of nations. Give our righteous leaders wisdom and courage to do the right thing. We pray the same for ourselves. We look to you as the author and finisher of our faith.