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The Lord's Power To Punish
1 The Lord says, “Children,
I didn't divorce your mother
or sell you to pay debts;
I divorced her and sold you
because of your sins.
2I came and called out,
but you didn't answer.
Have I lost my power
to rescue and save?
At my command oceans and rivers
turn into deserts;
fish rot and stink
for lack of water.
3I make the sky turn dark
like the sackcloth
you wear at funerals.”
God's Servant Must Suffer
4The Lord God gives me
the right words
to encourage the weary.
Each morning he awakens me
eager to learn his teaching;
5he made me willing to listen
and not rebel or run away.
6 I let them beat my back
and pull out my beard.
I didn't turn aside
when they insulted me
and spit in my face.
7But the Lord God keeps me
from being disgraced.
So I refuse to give up,
because I know
God will never let me down.
8 My protector is nearby;
no one can stand here
to accuse me of wrong.
9The Lord God will help me
and prove I am innocent.
My accusers will wear out
like moth-eaten clothes.
10None of you respect the Lord
or obey his servant.
You walk in the dark
instead of the light;
you don't trust the name
of the Lord your God.
11Go ahead and walk in the light
of the fires you have set.
But with his own hand,
the Lord will punish you
and make you suffer.
Reflect
There are consequences to every action and decision that we make. Though we have free will to make choices that may ultimately lead to unfavorable results, this in no way denies God’s sovereignty in our lives. On the contrary, his sovereignty is seen most clearly when we realize that his hand is always upon us even though we may reject it time and again.
Case in point, in chapter 50 of the Book of Isaiah, we find God, through the prophet, seeking to clarify to the Israelites the reality of their captivity. While many most likely have interpreted their current plight to mean that God has cast them aside (v 1a), God seeks to remind them (a) that they have no one or anything to blame other than their own disobedience and decisions (v 1b); but also (b) that there is no situation or circumstance that is beyond his ability to redeem (vv 2-3). What he requires though is for his people to be obedient, just as the servant Isaiah was (vv 4-6). Isaiah demonstrates that God will vindicate and help those who are obedient to him (vv 7-9).
For each of us today, this must serve both as a reminder and a challenge. As a reminder, it should highlight to us that though we may find ourselves in situations or circumstances that we’d rather not be in, we must not be too quick to blame God or assume that we’re there because he has abandoned us. Rather, understanding that God is always sovereign, we should both trust him and be obedient to him regardless of whether we feel we might have a better way.
Respond
Heavenly Father, I praise you for being sovereign and always in control. I thank you for the myriad of ways you have kept me from the full consequences my actions may deserve. Help me to be obedient and to trust in you always. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Arthur Satterwhite III
Arthur L. Satterwhite III serves as the National Movements Ministry Mobilizer at American Bible Society where he currently oversees the organization’s work with Protestant denominations, para-Church ministries, and Christian events and conferences. In this role, Arthur leads ABS’ efforts to serve, equip and collaborate with Christian leaders in order to positively shift individuals’ perception of the Bible and drive their constituencies toward active Bible engagement.