On That Day

Isaiah 25-6

In these chapters Isaiah is talking with God. In his prayer Isaiah exulted in His personal God, the One worthy of exaltation and praise. He had done marvelous things in perfect faithfulness, according to His perfect plan (25:1). God had been a refuge for the poor and needy, a shelter from the storm (25:4).

From the past, Isaiah looked into the future. “In that day” His people, Israel, will recognize their God as One who is trustworthy, the One who saved them, the One in whom they rejoice (25:9). On this mountain they will enjoy a great feast provided by God, celebrating the end of the Millennial reign of Christ. Death will be swallowed up forever, and the Sovereign Lord will wipe away all tears (25:6-8).

Many of us are familiar with Isaiah’s words: “You will keep in perfect peace him [her] whose mind is steadfast, because he [she] trusts in You” (Isaiah 26:3). Isaiah was still rejoicing in his God.

All around the Israelites, nations raged. Ruthless nations. Nations whose very breath is like a storm driving against a wall! (Isaiah 25:4). Not only was God a shelter from that storm, but He shaded them from the heat – just desert heat? No, heat also from the breath of the ruthless. That conjures up a real picture in our minds of the fear with which the Israelites lived, doesn’t it? (:4).

We can only imagine what desert heat is like. Slowly taking a caravan across the hot sands, moving through a sand storm with nowhere to hide – must have had its moments of terror and panic, deeper perhaps than any anxiety we have known. Sand in the eyes and ears, gritting in their teeth; smothered in its cloud, with unbelievable heat coming in waves. This picture depicts the troubles of life, swirling around us, overwhelming us!

But then God! “You silence the uproar…as heat is reduced by the shadow of a cloud”. Isaiah is celebrating God who, with inexplicable power and precision stills the song of the ruthless (25:5), removes the shroud that covers all nations (:7) and even swallows up death (:8). Amazingly all nations – even the ruthless ones will eventually reverence God for who He is! (25:3). Let us be clear….this does not mean everyone will spend eternity in heaven. Who then will? Only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life (Revelation 20:15).

“In that day” at the end of the Millennial reign, when death is cast into the lake of fire forever (Revelation 20:14), peoples of the earth will celebrate the salvation of the Lord, with joy and gladness! It is in that day that the song of peace will be sung (26:1-3).

Isaiah has just painted a picture of God for us. He is gentle and caring, a comforter of tears (:8). He is all-powerful, tearing down and building up according to His will (25:10, 26:5, 26:1). He protects His vineyard, continually watering and guarding it (Isaiah 27:2-3). He is also a God of hope, of forgiveness. Those who were perishing in Assyria, who were exiled in Egypt, will come and worship the Lord on the Holy mountain” (27:13). “In that day” judgment will fall on the ungodly. But God Himself will be a ”glorious crown….a spirit of justice….a source of strength” for the remnant of His people (28:5-6). Praise be to God!

Reflection:

Describe the God you worship personally. What faithful deeds make Him worthy of your praise?

How might this prayer of Isaiah’s become an example for our prayer life?

What triumphs of the Kingdom age do you look forward to?