You will keep in perfect peace he whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.

Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal.

Isaiah 26:3-4, NIV 

 

One of the beautiful things about the books of the prophets is that even in the midst of God's warnings of destruction for those who would refuse to do His will, there is also the promise of redemption for those who would repent and turn back to Him.

 

This is the hope that we have in Christ. Romans 3:23 says that all have sinned, and Romans 6:23 tells us the wages of sin is death. So we can plainly see that we are lost - but not hopelessly so. How can that be if we have sinned (and we have) and the wages of sin is death? How can we change that which is unchangeable? The answer to those questions is that we cannot, but the good news of the Gospel is that Jesus can! This truth is revealed in Romans 3:23:

 

"for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Jesus Christ." 

 

There it is! Even when we are lost in our sins, we have hope! Why? Because of God's wonderful grace! Because of the glorious redemption that comes by Jesus! Now we know that we don't deserve this redemption, and by definition we also know that we do not deserve this grace, but God still offers it to us! The Scriptures clearly reveal that we have to repent, confess our belief in Christ, and have our sins washed away so that we can be pure. The Word of God further reveals that we, having experienced this new birth, now have to walk in the light and live for the One who died for us. But, wouldn't you agree, these things are a small and joyful price to pay for the salvation of our immortal souls?

 

Oddly, many do not want to accept God's terms. This was the precise problem that the prophets warned about in the Old Testament times.The people wanted grace and redemption on their own terms. That is why they were destroyed: They thought that they could negotiate God's offer of salvation. Do you know anyone like that today? Here is the warning that God gave to those who refused His perfect peace in days of old - it is a warning for all who are tempted to do the same today!

 

The earth is defiled by its people; they have disobeyed the laws, violated the statutes and broken the everlasting covenant.

Therefore a curse consumes the earth; its people must bear their guilt.

Isaiah 24:4-5, NIV

 

Today is day 4 of the 30 day challenge to read the books of the prophets of God, with Isaiah 22-28 being the reading for today. May God richly bless you as you seek His terms so that you can enjoy the redemption that He reserves for those who faithfully follow both He and His Son!