The Lord has Isaiah end his book of prophecy with both a glimpse of reprieve and hope for believers and the reality of judgement and eternal punishment for unbelievers. Throughout the book the Lord has been reaching out to believers to follow Him. In verse 2 God declares who He is and what he desires of each believer. “Has not my hand made all these things,
    and so they came into being?”
declares the Lord. “These are the ones I look on with favor:
    those who are humble and contrite in spirit,
    and who tremble at my word. Do you believe that God is the creator of all things? If so, do you weigh His power and seek to humble yourself before Him? Are you sorry for you sins, remorseful and contrite seeking to follow His plans for you in His Word? Plainly do you believe in Who He is and if so are you willing to humble yourself before Him?

God promises peace, comfort, joy and judgement on evil for all those who believe and follow Him. vs12-13 “For this is what the Lord says: “I will extend peace to her like a river,
    and the wealth of nations like a flooding stream;
you will nurse and be carried on her arm
    and dandled on her knees.
¹³ As a mother comforts her child,
    so will I comfort you;
    and you will be comforted over Jerusalem.”

vs. 14 “When you see this, your heart will rejoice
    and you will flourish like grass;
the hand of the Lord will be made known to his servants,
    but his fury will be shown to his foes.” vs 16 “For with fire and with his sword
    the Lord will execute judgment on all people,
    and many will be those slain by the Lord.”

Isaiah does not water his message down so that people like it better. He lays it out for us clearly that God desires our obedience and humility and our rewards will be great. The alternative is grim and filled with pain and desolation.

Jesus gave this message too in Matthew 11:18 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” In Him is rest and peace but apart from Him you have nothing. John 15:5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” James 1:15 “Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.” Sin leads to death when one is apart from Christ. Hear his plea and come to Him. He has rest for all of us. Because He created us with a free will, the choice is yours. Which will you choose- life in Christ or not?

Linda