Hope in the Day of the Lord
While much of the book of Isaiah is despair and judgment, today’s Bible reading* gives a ray of hope that we have for the arrival of the Day of the Lord.
When he has swallowed up death once and for all, the Lord GOD will wipe away the tears from every face and remove his people’s disgrace from the whole earth, for the LORD has spoken. On that day it will be said, “Look, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he has saved us. This is the LORD; we have waited for him. Let’s rejoice and be glad in his salvation.”
Isaiah 25:8–9 (CSB)
What a wonderful day! No more tears! No more disgrace! Does this not sound like what Jesus revealed to John?
Then I heard a loud voice from the throne: Look, God’s dwelling is with humanity, and he will live with them. They will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them and will be their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; grief, crying, and pain will be no more, because the previous things have passed away. Then the one seated on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new.” He also said, “Write, because these words are faithful and true.”
Revelation 21:3–5 (CSB)
Application
So all of this begs the question, “How is it that someone gets in on this? Isn’t the Day of the Lord described as ‘terrible’?” (Joel 1:15, 2:31; Zephaniah 1:14)
Yes, indeed, the Day of the Lord is a terrifying day of judgment that will come someday. And it will be particularly terrifying for everyone who is not an adopted child of God.
But there is hope for those who trust in God.
You will keep the mind that is dependent on you in perfect peace, for it is trusting in you.
Isaiah 26:3 (CSB)
But just know that not everyone is an adopted child of God!
Are you?
* Chapters covered in today’s reading:
Isaiah 23
Isaiah 24
Isaiah 25
Isaiah 26