The 64th Chapter of Isaiah has some very precious verses for us. It begins with the prophet exclaiming how the God of the universe could come down and make his name known to his enemies and cause the nations to tremble or quake. verse 1-2 “Oh that you would rend the heavens and come down,
    that the mountains might quake at your presence—
²  as when fire kindles brushwood
    and the fire causes water to boil—
to make your name known to your adversaries,
    and that the nations might tremble at your presence! God has the power to do all of this and has done so in the past.

No one is like God. vs.4 “From of old no one has heard
    or perceived by the ear,
no eye has seen a God besides you,
    who acts for those who wait for him.” There has never been a God who has heard and seen His people like He does.

Then the prophet remembers their sinfulness and uncleanness. He realizes his place and those of all people in relation to holy God. vs. 6 “We have all become like one who is unclean,
    and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment.
We all fade like a leaf,
    and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.” We are polluted, filled with sin and it is our undoing. What can we do? We cannot do enough good deeds to clean ourselves up to God’s standards.

Isaiah turns to God and humbles himself. He recognizes Creator God and pleads for himself and the people. vs 8-9 “But now, O Lord, you are our Father;
    we are the clay, and you are our potter;
    we are all the work of your hand. Be not so terribly angry, O Lord,
    and remember not iniquity forever.
    Behold, please look, we are all your people. ” We too need to realize our need to turn to God and depend upon His grace and mercy. Jesus made a way.

Isaiah sees the temple destroyed, treasures in ruin and pleads with the Lord to not keep silent. vs. 11-12 “Our holy and beautiful house,
    where our fathers praised you,
has been burned by fire,
    and all our pleasant places have become ruins.
¹² Will you restrain yourself at these things, O Lord?
    Will you keep silent, and afflict us so terribly?

As you read and meditate upon these verses think about how you see God in your life? What has He done that you can praise Him for, recall His blessings or know for certain He is God? Praise Him and tell Him what He means to you. What sin do you need to confess? Do you readily recognize your own sinfulness and ask for forgiveness? Keep short accounts with your God.

Do you know who you are in relation to almighty God? Are you humble or proud in His presence? Examine your own attitude and acknowledge Him as Creator.

What havoc is happening in your life that you can bring to God? Isaiah saw great ruin, maybe you do too. Isaiah brought his concerns and anxiety to God and laid it at His feet. Jesus asks us to do the same. Philippians 4:6 “do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” 1 John 4:4 “Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.”

Look to Jesus as Isaiah did. He called upon the Lord and reminded himself of who God is and what He had done. Moses admonished Joshua to remind the people (them, us and me) of who God is constantly. Deuteronomy 18:18 ” You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your fathers, as it is this day.” Remembering is key so we do not lapse into despair, unbelief or hopelessness and keep strong and trusting in the Lord. Let your remembering bring you to you knees. Look to Jesus, He knows you and will forgive, comfort and sustain you in all times in all ways.

Linda