Isaiah 59:12-21 (NIV)
We all know the feeling of helplessness. Most of us don’t like to feel helpless, but we understand it nonetheless. Maybe when you picture someone who is helpless you picture a young child, or someone who is ill. But sometimes even as grown up healthy people we find ourselves in situations that are beyond our ability to get out of or fix. And that’s where we find the writers of today’s passage. It’s the second part of a prayer—a prayer of grieving and repenting over the sins and failures of their people and the ways those things have made life miserable for everyone. It’s an honest appraisal of their desperation, they’re separated from God, and utterly helpless.
But then... There’s a bend in the road, a turn that opens up a new horizon. Help is coming. The LORD sees clearly the pain, the injustice, the rebellion, and he is ready to fight against it. For the sake of those he made with his own hands, he is ready to fight.
As you listen to the passage read aloud, try to imagine how the people would have felt. They were literally described as “people without eyes,” so deep was the darkness and evil around them. Imagine the desperation. Maybe it’s not too hard. But imagine too the feelings that would have welled up in them at being rescued. Maybe… that’s not too hard either.
----------REFLECT----------
1. What about this passage caught your attention?
2. The LORD is described as a warrior, wearing righteousness, salvation, vengeance and zeal as his battle armor. Where in your life do you need the LORD to fight for you today?
3. The promises at the end of this passage are surely good news to us. From the west to the east the LORD will make himself known, there is redemption for those who repent, and he makes a new covenant—a promise of God’s own Spirit, with them, forever. The LORD is faithful to save, to heal, and to restore, even if he has to do it all by himself. In what ways is this good news for you?
----------GO DEEPER----------
Bible Project: Isaiah 40-66 >>
BP Exploring My Strange Bible Podcast: The Meaning of Hope >>
InterVarsity Press Selections: Isaiah >>
----------CONNECT----------
Find an InterVarsity Chapter >>
Start an InterVarsity Chapter >>
Learn More >>
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free