August 19 - Isaiah 63:7-19

August 19 – Isaiah 63:7-19

I will tell of the kindnesses of the LORD, the deeds for which he is to be praised, according to all the LORD has done for us— yes, the many good things he has done for the house of Israel, according to his compassion and many kindnesses. He said, “Surely they are my people, sons who will not be false to me”; and so he became their Savior. In all their distress he too was distressed, and the angel of his presence saved them. In his love and mercy he redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old. Yet they rebelled and grieved his Holy Spirit. So he turned and became their enemy and he himself fought against them.

Then his people recalled the days of old, the days of Moses and his people— where is he who brought them through the sea, with the shepherd of his flock? Where is he who set his Holy Spirit among them, who sent his glorious arm of power to be at Moses’ right hand, who divided the waters before them, to gain for himself everlasting renown, who led them through the depths? Like a horse in open country, they did not stumble; like cattle that go down to the plain, they were given rest by the Spirit of the LORD. This is how you guided your people to make for yourself a glorious name.

Look down from heaven and see from your lofty throne, holy and glorious. Where are your zeal and your might? Your tenderness and compassion are withheld from us. But you are our Father, though Abraham does not know us or Israel acknowledge us; you, O LORD, are our Father, our Redeemer from of old is your name. Why, O LORD, do you make us wander from your ways and harden our hearts so we do not revere you? Return for the sake of your servants, the tribes that are your inheritance. For a little while your people possessed your holy place, but now our enemies have trampled down your sanctuary.

We are yours from of old; but you have not ruled over them, they have not been called by your name.

In this prayer, Isaiah promises to tell of the glory of the Lord, the many things that He did for Israel.  When they were upset, He (the Lord) was upset.  He sent His angel of mercy to save them, He redeemed them, He carried them.

Yet, they rebelled against Him.  He became angry.

Then they remembered the things He had done for them and call for Him to be merciful once again.

“Look down from heaven,” they cried.  “You are our Father – please don’t make us wander away from you, please don’t allow us to harden our hearts so that we don’t love and honor you.”

Their hearts were in trouble.  They were in trouble.  They needed the Lord to rescue them, but He had left them.  Isaiah knew the trouble that was in store for his people, Israel.  He wanted to remind them that they were God’s people, He wanted God to know that these were still His people, even though the people refused to behave accordingly.

We are the same people.  He gives us life and everything we need.  Sometimes He gives us more than we need, more than we even deserve.  Yet we rebel against Him.

Remember the things He has done for us … the blessings He has sent.  Remember the redemption He has offered to us. 

Isaiah calls for the Lord to rule His people.  Can we call for the Lord to rule our hearts?