Joy and Grace

O. T. #1723  "Joy and Grace"
June 30, 2020
Isaiah 66-Part 3

LET IT GLOW

This week we are dog sitting Princess, our granddaughter's dog, while they are vacationing at the beach. She is a joy to have at our house. Although, I admit that it is an adjustment having an inside dog, which has needs. We go for a walk in the cool of the summer mornings, which is good for me. Princess is getting old now, with some gray hairs, and she likes to take naps. Now that is not a bad thing for me. Anyway, she makes me smile and I can talk to her instead of myself. :)
Could you use some joy in your life today? Read on, friend, for verses 10-16 has some just for you.

In verse 9, God is asking a rhetorical question and implies the answer, no!
"Shall I bring to the point of birth and not cause to bring forth?" says the LORD; "shall I, who cause to bring forth, shut the womb?" says your God. (English Standard Version)

God would not ever bring Israel to the point of birth and then not deliver it. No, He would never keep this nation from being born. (from NLT)

What will happen during the Millennium reign of Jesus?

• Should God bring Israel this far through all of these difficulties and not bring forth converted Israel to the full blessing of the Millennium? Jews will be saved during this time. How wonderful for them to believe in Jesus as the Savior Messiah and Son of God.
• Nations will look to Jerusalem for spiritual nourishment. Jerusalem will be God's capital on earth then. This will happen so quickly like a woman in labor delivering her baby. (verse 7)
• We can rejoice with Jerusalem, be glad with her, love her, and rejoice for joy with her. (verse 10)
• We can drink deeply of her glory and be delighted, even as an infant drinks its mother's milk. (verse 11)
• There will be peace like a mighty river, which represents a never-dwindling supply of water, whose ultimate source of all spiritual life is God Himself. (verse 12)
• God will comfort everyone, as a mother comforts her child. (verse 13)
• Israel's bones shall flourish in her national conversion and rebirth. (Ezekiel 37); your heart shall rejoice; everyone will see the Lord's hand of blessing on His servants. (verse 14)

[Resource: Liberty Bible Commentary]

Our heavenly Father is our source of comfort and satisfaction.

You, too, can rest peacefully knowing that Someone will always be close to you, tending to every need. The Lord is your father, friend, husband, brother and mother. He is everything to you, just as a parent is to a child. so during this season, when everything seems a little out of control, a little crazy, if you are feeling the heavy burdens of being an adult, take a moment to talk to the Lord as would a child. He longs to pick you up and wrap you tenderly in His care. And in His arms, you will find rest. (Joni Eareckson Tada's Diamonds in the Dust)

Nothing will compare with the joy that is coming.
... for the joy of the Lord is your strength. (Nehemiah 8:10)

Such joy it is to be able to attend worship services again with believers! It just isn't the same as watching a video, is it? We need those contacts with others, even if we have to sit a distance away from each other.

LET IT GROW

There is another side to this coin, so to speak. Peace and joy will be with believers.

How does The MacArthur Bible Commentary explain verses 15-19?

• Prosperity will belong to the faithful remnant, but wrath to those who oppose the Lord.
• That wrath of God will come to the rebels is expressed in language describing the end-time judgment (29:6).
• The many who fight against the Lord when He comes to establish His kingdom will die (Rev. 19:21).

The LORD will come with fire, with His chariots like a whirlwind, to render His anger with fury. (verse 15) 2 Thessalonians 1:7-8 pictures Christ's second coming. He will render severe judgment with fire and His sword, slaying many. Their abomination (the hateful thing) acts of man will consume them, for God knows their works and their thoughts.

With the miraculous rebirth of Israel, those converted Israelites who escape the Tribulation to come, will be sent by God as Christian believers into the nations. They will share the good news of Jesus Christ to those who have not heard of His fame, nor seen His glory. Glory is a visible manifestation of God, which appears 45 times in the Old Testament. (Falwell)

Are we sharing the gospel of Jesus, His saving grace, and that He dwells within us personally?

LET IT GO
What kind of person am I? What kind of person are you?
Are we loving God, our family, friends, neighbors, and unchurched people?
Are we a joyful Christian today?
Are we gracious to others?