Stability, Abundance, and Wisdom . . .

 

 

READ Isaiah 33–36

Our trip to San Francisco, the memorial service and a wonderful visit with family, flying home, lots of responsibilities here including my first meeting as a new executive in a local guild — I didn’t realize how exhausted I was until this morning waking up after nine hours sleep with renewed energy. Yesterday I felt like ‘death warmed over’ but today I realize afresh: “It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for God gives to his beloved sleep.” (Psalm 127:2)

Today’s reading also gives encouraging, even joyful words. I call out along with the prophet: “O Lord, be gracious to us; we wait for you. Be our arm every morning, our salvation in the time of trouble.” (Isaiah 33:2) And I realize the support He is for His people.

The Lord is exalted, for he dwells on high; he will fill Zion with justice and righteousness, and he will be the stability of your times, abundance of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge; the fear of the Lord is Zion’s treasure. (Isaiah 33:5–6)

Today’s devotional says this word for stability could also be translated as firmness, steadfastness, fidelity, truth and faithfulness. It warns not to look to my “talents, astuteness, wealth and power” as my stability because all of that can fail. When the bottom falls out of whatever else I might stand on in the midst of life’s circumstances, only the Lord provides real stability. This is true regarding salvation (I’m saved by grace through faith, not my works) but also in every area of life. Jesus is my Rock. I can stand firm on Him. Tired or rested, He never abandons those who trust in Him.

He truly provides the abundance of salvation. He delivers and cares for His people. Isaiah testifies to that, and the entire Bible tells of it. I hear Him telling me to testify to His power and hear His promise that I will see Him and a new land, a new dwelling place:

Hear, you who are far off, what I have done; and you who are near, acknowledge my might. The sinners in Zion are afraid; trembling has seized the godless: “Who among us can dwell with the consuming fire? Who among us can dwell with everlasting burnings?” He who walks righteously and speaks uprightly, who despises the gain of oppressions, who shakes his hands, lest they hold a bribe, who stops his ears from hearing of bloodshed and shuts his eyes from looking on evil, he will dwell on the heights; his place of defense will be the fortresses of rocks; his bread will be given him; his water will be sure. Your eyes will behold the king in his beauty; they will see a land that stretches afar. (Isaiah 33:13–17)

He also describes this land as “glad” and “The desert shall rejoice and . . . blossom abundantly and rejoice with joy and singing.” His people are told to “Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees. Say to those who have an anxious heart, ‘Be strong; fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God. He will come and save you.’” Then . . .

The eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; then shall the lame man leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute sing for joy. For waters break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert; the burning sand shall become a pool, and the thirsty ground springs of water; in the haunt of jackals, where they lie down, the grass shall become reeds and rushes. And a highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Way of Holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it. It shall belong to those who walk on the way; even if they are fools, they shall not go astray. No lion shall be there, nor shall any ravenous beast come up on it; they shall not be found there, but the redeemed shall walk there. And the ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. (Isaiah 35:1–10)

No earthly wealth compares to what God has in store for His people. We will see, hear, have strength, sing for joy, and no more sorrow or even sighing. All gladness and joy!

The third thing provided by the Lord is wisdom. James 1:5 repeats this promise: “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” All I need to do is ask and God and He will grant me what I need to live for Jesus, to know, understand, and do His will — and this is not a promise just for life in that ‘new land’ but for right now, this day, this hour.

Lord God, I am grateful for Your awesome care, for sleep, for stability in Christ, for the wealth of being Your child, and for wisdom when it is needed. Thank You, Jesus. You are an amazing Savior!