celebrate

Because of the importance of Israel and its people, and my personal love for The Land, I’m inviting you to join me through the key Old Testament book of Isaiah. Each day I’m posting some simple thoughts about this complex prophet.

Isaiah 48.

This is the culmination of 400 years of Babylonian captivity. Today is a day to rejoice!

“Today I am doing something new, something you cannot say you have heard before.” (v7, CEV).

The Lord says He tested the people of Israel in the hard times of captivity, tested them to refine them as silver is refined in the fire. You’ve heard this example, I’m sure: As silver is purified there is a black dross that separates from the genuine silver. How does the silversmith know when the silver is perfectly refined? When the dross is completely burned off and he can see his reflection in the pure silver.

So, today, the refining process is complete. Israel finally, once again, is reflecting the image of God, not of other idols or gods.

So, this leads to their freedom!

“I am the holy LORD God. The One who rescues you. For your own good, I teach you and I lead you among the right path… Now leave Babylon! Celebrate as you go! Be happy and shout for everyone to hear: “The LORD has rescued, has redeemed His servant Israel!” (v17,20, CEV).

He has redeemed us, too. The people of Israel were rescued by God at the hand of King Cyrus. We are redeemed by Jesus!

Celebrate! Be happy! Shout as you go!

And as for the people of Babylon? “There is no peace, says the LORD, for the wicked.” (v22, NIV).

I believe the flip side is also true. There IS peace in abundance for those who live in goodness and grace. In Jesus, there is freedom from the captivity of sin and an overflow of peace. His perfect Shalom. His perfect joy!

If you’re new to this journey through Isaiah, you can start here.

Isaiah 25

Time to celebrate!

“God, you are my God. I celebrate you. I praise you. You’ve done your share of miracle-wonders, well-thought-out plans, solid and sure.” (v1, MSG).

So. Much. Joy! God keeps His promises. He is a place of safety for the poor and needy. He is our shelter.

And then there’s this:

“Here the Lord will strip away the burial clothes that cover the nations. The Lord All-Powerful will destroy the power of death and wipe away all tears. No longer will his people be insulted everywhere. The Lord has spoken!” (v7-8, CEV).

John’s Revelation confirms this as well: “He will wipe all tears from their eyes, and there will be no more death, suffering, crying, or pain. These things of the past are gone forever.” (Revelation 21:4, CEV).

Where does this happen? On Mount Zion! The place where Abraham offered Isaac. The place where David purchased a threshing floor. The place where Solomon’s temple once stood. In Jerusalem!

“At that time, people will say, “The Lord has saved us! Let’s celebrate. We waited and hoped— now our God is here.”” (v9, CEV).

Our God offers us all such great hope! Our God is here! He’s here in the presence of Jesus, His Son. He’s here in the comfort and guidance of the Holy Spirit. He keeps His promises. We can trust Him. We can celebrate His miracles. He promises new wine. He promises a choice feast. (v6). Remember yesterday’s thoughts about wine and the joy it represents?

I’m reminded of a worship song with these lyrics:

“Where there is new wine, there is new power. There is new freedom. The Kingdom is here!” (New Wine, by Hillsong Worship, 2018).

The Kingdom IS here!

Celebrate with me!

If you’re new to this journey through Isaiah, you can start here.

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