As events in the Middle East progress, we need the reminder that God’s new creation is not going to be brought about by any government or human institution. These events remind us yet again to pray, “Come quickly, Lord Jesus.”
Here is something I received by email last week. Since it came by email I can’t link to the author’s original, but only to his webpage.
Hamas and God’s Glory
Isaiah 66:1-22
“And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the LORD has spoken.”” — Isaiah 40:5
My Bible study plan has had me in Isaiah for the last couple of weeks and I must say, reading the book of Isaiah as the conflict with Israel and Hamas has erupted is medicine for the soul. If you are struggling to find peace in these unstable times, especially as it pertains to the Middle East and how it affects the rest of the world, immerse yourself in the pages of Isaiah.
Some Bible scholars have referred to the book of Isaiah as “the fifth Gospel” for its predictions of the birth, life, and death of Jesus Christ as the coming Messiah some seven hundred years before coming to pass. These prophecies of redemption balance the depressing scenes of God’s discipline against wayward Judah and Jerusalem, and the final scenes describing God’s restoration of Israel, His promised salvation, and His eternal kingdom.
In Isaiah 60, the prophet foresees the final glory of God’s people, uniting all humanity in knowing the one true God. Isaiah 60:1–2 states:
“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you. For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the LORD will arise upon you, and his glory will be seen upon you” (vv. 1-2).
God promised to make a clear public distinction between those who are His and those who are not. Don’t miss this promise! Its fulfillment doesn’t come from human governments, nor does it await favorable historical conditions, but it depends directly and solely on the act, timing, and will of God (v. 22). Something that stands out very vividly from Isaiah is that God is going to get His glory (Isaiah 42:8). This glory will not be robbed of Him by “rebellious” Israel or her “arrogant” enemies. Every “calamity,” which God Himself has “created” (see Isaiah 45:7), is an opportunity for God to show Himself strong and display His glory for the nations to see.
In v. 18, we also find this hope-filled promise: “Violence shall no more be heard in your land, devastation or destruction within your borders; you shall call your walls Salvation, and your gates Praise.” That word “violence” here is translated from the Hebrew word “hamas,” which also means “cruelty, injustice, wrong.” God has vowed that man’s violence or human terror does NOT get the final word in the story He is unfolding.
These things have been written aforetime (Romans 15:4) to give every believer confidence, comfort, and hope, despite the news reels that are filling our timelines in this hour. And to every unbeliever, do well to heed the command “Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other” (Isaiah 45:22, John 14:6). Even in uncertain times, we can know God’s peace: “You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you” (Isaiah 26:3). Nothing can give us hope more than being assured that God is ultimately going to use current events to display His glory among the nations. Think about that as you seek to abide in Him this week, and if you find your heart restless and fearful, consider doing a word search “fear not” in the book of Isaiah.
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, you have not left us to ourselves. You have never abandoned the nations, though they have turned their backs on you. You are going to get your glory in this hour, and in that which is to come. Holy Spirit, teach us and guide us in how we should respond to these distressing times, to see the opportunities all around us for gospel engagement with others, and to readily share the reason for the hope that is in us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.