# 44 2026 Dev. Isa. 57. Rest and Peace! Read all of chapter fifty-seven first. We invite you into God’s space, to read His Word, to think on and interact with. This is God’s Story. Do you believe that this may also be part of our story, in our time? All passages are taken from the NIV.
Isaiah 57. Life and death are in the hands of God.
Vs.1-2 “The righteous perish, and no one takes it to heart… the righteous are taken away to be spared from evil.” Isaiah is speaking about God’s providence and about God’s warning to the unrighteous. Israel is on a downward path into evil. What path are we on today, your life, your town, your state, your country?
The issues of the day.
Vs. 3-10 “But you… sorceress, adulterers and prostitutes… who are you mocking?” You are “rebels, liars and you burn with lust… and you sacrifice your children…” There is no worse sin in God’s eyes than to sacrifice one of greatest gifts God gives us. “You have made a pact with those whose beds you love, and you looked on with lust on their naked bodies.” These are the issues of today, even promoted by governments and leaders in our own country, and look at Russia, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, especially Nigeria. There is no peace, no rest, only in death.
God questions them.
Vs.11-13 “Whom have you so dreaded and feared that you have not been true to me, and have neither remembered me nor taken this to heart? The wind will carry all of them off…” your idols. ‘But whoever takes refuge in me will inherit the land and possess my holy mountain’” The Lord is Faithful, Gracious and Merciful!
Comfort for the Contrite.
Vs.14-15 “And it will be said: Build up, build, prepare the road! Remove the obstacle’s out of the way of my people. I live in a high and holy place, but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit… to revive… the spirit… and the heart of the contrite.” Thanks be to God! God is speaking to us as well. We pray that God will not only revive us, but that He will remove the obstacles to peace, leaders, raiders, militant Islamists, Communists and all those who stand in the way, or outlaw, and prosecute those who follow Christ.
Vs.16-18 God “will not accuse them forever, nor will I always be angry…I have seen their ways, but I will heal them…” There is Hope for everyone!
Vs. 19-21 “Peace, peace, to those far and near,’ says the Lord…” But, “here is no peace” says my God, “for the wicked.” There will be peace for the righteous, pray without ceasing for it!
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