From of old no one has heard or perceived by the ear, no eye has seen a God besides you, who acts for those who wait for him. –Isaiah 64:4
The prophet Isaiah is commissioned with the task to take God’s Word to His chosen people. It is a message of warning to the people who have grown cold toward God—who hear but do not understand, have eyes but do not perceive, have hearts that are dull. In Isaiah 64:1-3, Isaiah is pleading with God to show Himself in power to a world of adversaries as He once did in previous ages, so that this people would know and understand that there is no god like Him.
The situation is desperate for God’s people to remember that He is not like the gods they were worshiping—the gods of this world, crafted by man with eyes that cannot see, ears that cannot hear, noses that cannot smell, mouths that cannot speak, form but cannot move or act on their behalf (Psalm 115). They had forsaken the living God and had forgotten His glory and might and the wonders He had done for them.
Our God
There are countless examples in Scripture of the revelations of God to His people. From the flood to the ram in the thicket, from the burning bush to the plagues of Egypt, from the pillar of fire to the parting of the Red Sea, from the tablets of the law to the ark of the covenant, from David’s throne to the building of the temple God has revealed Himself to His people. But Isaiah’s generation had become intimidated and beaten down by adversaries. They had stopped fighting the fight of faith and became apathetic toward God. It is at this moment that God raised up Isaiah and showed him the true reality of His glory. “I saw the LORD sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple” (Isaiah 6:1).
Our God is sovereign and to be worshiped in reverential fear, for He is the creator of all things. He created us with ears to hear, eyes to see, noses to smell, mouths to speak, minds to think; gateways to our hearts—created to receive Him, to actively wait on Him in prayer, in worshiping, in witnessing, and in working. Oh, how patient and kind He is with us! He has shown us His love, power, and glory. Do you see? Do you hear?
Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. (Hebrews 1:1-2)
God’s Wonderful Deeds
Isaiah prophesied with limited understanding of the way in which God’s Word would be fulfilled. Could he have known what was meant by Isaiah 53? We live on the other side of the fulfillment of all the prophesies of the Messiah’s first coming, when the Word of God became flesh. What wondrous deeds of God!!
We who have placed our faith in Christ have become joint heirs of the promises of God. Jesus came to bring us to the Father through bearing the wrath against us in His own body, paying our sin debt by His death on a cross, rising from the dead, ascending to His heavenly throne, and sending the Holy Spirit until He returns. We have the promises, and God will do it!
Jesus will return. Are you waiting with love for His appearing? Isaiah longed for Israel to be awakened from their deadly sleep to turn and wait for the Lord with expectation. He is the God who acts on behalf of His people. Today, let’s hear this call to our hearts as well, to be His people who wait for His return, loving His appearing, running the race, contending for the faith, worshiping our coming King. At the end of our lives on earth, may we be able to joyfully say with the apostle Paul:
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing. (2 Timothy 4:7-8)
For Reflection
The next generation needs to hear of our great God who acts on behalf of His people. Are you willing to serve Him in this mission? Pray, asking God to show you how you might impact the next generation for Christ’s Kingdom. Let others in your church know about your desire and have them pray with you.
Jesus has promised that He will return and take us to be with Him. In what ways does this truth impact your heart’s affections toward plans, future goals, life choices?
Are you loving Christ’s appearing? How might love for His appearing be expressed to the younger ones in your life?