Looking at Isaiah

“They will neither hunger nor thirst. The searing sun will not reach them anymore. For the Lord in his mercy will lead them; he will lead them beside cool waters.” – Isaiah 49:10

            This verse is part of God’s promise of Israel’s restoration. The key word for me is   mercy (in red above). People both then and now misunderstand how God works. The fact that mankind still exists is due to the mercy of the one who created all things. If what is said of him is true, and I believe it is, they he could literally will our total annihilation with a thought and we would all cease to exist. However, he knows we are but dust and to dusk we shall return (read Psalm 103:7-18 below)

            As is so often the case, Christ is shown as a Shepherd, with us being his flock. He loves us, feeds us, takes very good care of us by protecting us from our enemy. Because of his mercy and undeserved favor (grace) God does this for us. “Israel’s condition will change from captivity and oppression to contentment and prosperity such as that enjoyed by a well fed, protected, and watered flock of sheep. These ideal conditions will be enjoyed by the faithful remnant returning for their kingdom in Israel. John reveals that this condition is a foretaste of heaven” *(Rev. 7:16, 17).

            In God’s great mercy he doesn’t desire that any would perish. It’s right in Peter’s second letter: “The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.” (2 Peter 3:9)           The promise he is speaking of is his Return or the 2^nd Coming. The Jews didn’t deserve God’s mercy, and neither do we today, but he is merciful to us because he chooses to be for his own good pleasure.  Whatever has been promised to Israel is promised to us as well.  Because all non-Jews were grafted into the spiritual vine due to the Jews rejection of Christ as their Messiah, all their promises become ours. 

            None of us have earned one single thing with regards to forgiveness or our entrance into heaven. Whatever the Lord does is done because he wants to do it for us and it is always in our best interests.  Next we will move on to chapter 50. Until then, walk with the King and be a blessing! rlkeller

Resources: The Life Application Study Bible; www.biblegateway.com/Isaiah

*  MacArthur Study Bible (NKJV) 

Revelation 7:16-17 New Living Translation (NLT)  “They will never again be hungry or thirsty; they will never be scorched by the heat of the sun. For the Lamb on the throne will be their Shepherd. He will lead them to springs of life-giving water.  And God will wipe every tear from their eyes.”

Psalm 103:7-18 

“He revealed his character to Moses

    and his deeds to the people of Israel.

The Lord is compassionate and merciful,

    slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.

He will not constantly accuse us,

    nor remain angry forever.

He does not punish us for all our sins;

    he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve.

For his unfailing love toward those who fear him

    is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth.

He has removed our sins as far from us

    as the east is from the west.

The Lord is like a father to his children,

    tender and compassionate to those who fear him.

For he knows how weak we are;

    he remembers we are only dust.

Our days on earth are like grass;