It’s Time for Isaiah 59
This morning I woke up at 2:59 and again at 5:59. I was intrigued in that it was a minute before the 4th watch began and a minute before the end of the 4th watch. I felt led to read Isaiah 59:1,2
Listen! The Lord’s arm is not too weak to save you, nor is his ear too deaf to hear you call. It’s your sins that have cut you off from God. Because of your sins, he has turned away and will not listen anymore.
I immediately thought, “but this is Old Testament,” and reminded myself of Romans 6:6,11,18
We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives…. So you also should consider yourselves to be dead to the power of sin and alive to God through Christ Jesus…. Now you are free from your slavery to sin, and you have become slaves to righteous living.
… back to Isaiah 59:15-17
Yes, truth is gone, and anyone who renounces evil is attacked. The Lord looked and was displeased to find there was no justice. He was amazed to see that no one intervened to help the oppressed. So he himself stepped in to save them with his strong arm, and his justice sustained him. He put on righteousness as his body armor and placed the helmet of salvation on his head. He clothed himself with a robe of vengeance and wrapped himself in a cloak of divine passion.
[WOW!!! How amazing that the Lord looked for an intercessor and not finding one, He Himself put on His divine armor to go to battle for righteousness’ sake.]
Isaiah 59:19 In the west, people will respect the name of the Lord; in the east, they will glorify him. For he will come like a raging flood tide driven by the breath of the Lord.
[Recently I heard a statement that blew my mind. We all know Psalm 103:12 and quote it often. “He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west.” Think about this. If David had written “north” and “south” there would have been a demarcation line. We know it as the equator. BUT, east and west do not have a defining line. It’s like forgiveness just goes on and on and on. So, when I read verse 19, it impacted me powerfully. All the earth and all it’s people will glorify Him and there will be no end.]
Isaiah 59:20,21
“The Redeemer will come to Jerusalem to buy back those in Israel who have turned from their sins,” says the Lord. “And this is my covenant with them,” says the Lord. “My Spirit will not leave them, and neither will these words I have given you. They will be on your lips and on the lips of your children and your children’s children forever. I, the Lord, have spoken!
Isaiah 60:1,2
“Arise, Jerusalem! Let your light shine for all to see. For the glory of the Lord rises to shine on you. Darkness as black as night covers all the nations of the earth, but the glory of the Lord rises and appears over you.
GLORY! I believe with all my heart that the Lord is arising in power in these days. AND I believe we are going to see such a powerful awakening especially in our youth. So many pastors, teachers, prophets and evangelists have been declaring Isaiah 60 over the church these past couple of years. I believe we’re almost there.
Onward with my Scripture Study and landed on Psalm 59:6,7
But as for me, I will sing about your power. Each morning I will sing with joy about your unfailing love. For you have been my refuge, a place of safety when I am in distress. 7 O my Strength, to you I sing praises, for you, O God, are my refuge, the God who shows me unfailing love.
I believe Isaiah 59:21 is a companion to a scripture given by our children’s ministry leader at prayer on Wednesday night. Isaiah 44:3,4
For I will pour out water to quench your thirst and to irrigate your parched fields. And I will pour out my Spirit on your descendants, and my blessing on your children. 4 They will thrive like watered grass, like willows on a riverbank.
The Lord God Almighty is arising. He is clothing Himself in His divine armor. We, as individuals, have an armor according to Ephesians 6:10-18. I believe with all my heart that there is also a CORPORATE ARMOR for the Body of Christ. It could be our worship, our prayers, our meeting the needs of the Body, ministering to the lost, and living the ministry of reconciliation. Whatever it is, I believe we are being clothed in it now. AND it’s for ALL generations. Oh, Glory!!!! The river is rising and the wind is beginning to blow. Fire is coming into our hearts and assemblies. We will shine according to Isaiah 60:1 and 2!
Note: all scriptures in New Living Translation