The Present and the Future by Pastor Dave

“The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this!”
Isaiah 9: 7b
 
Isaiah 9-12 (Psalm111)
 
Observe

• In his fourth prophecy for Judah, Isaiah describes a future of hope for the remnant who wait in faith. Light will dawn in the darkness and an eternal Kingdom will begin, through a child, in the line of David. God’s people will not return to or seek the Lord. Leaders and prophets guide the people away from God. Judgment will come but will not satisfy God’s anger (Is. 9)
• God’s people refuse His rule and make their own laws that serve the privileged and hurt the vulnerable. God will use the kingdom of Assyria as the means of His judgement. Once He has finished His work with His people He will in turn judge Assyria for their pride and arrogance. A remnant of God’s people will return to and trust Him (Is. 10)
• From this remnant, this stump of Jesse, the eternal Kingdom and Royal King will arise; God’s sevenfold Spirit will rest on Him. A future of peace, righteousness and justice is foretold open to all the nations. A way back to God exists (Is. 11)
• This hope leads to songs of praise attributing glory and salvation to God Almighty alone (Is. 12)

 
Interpret
     If you haven’t, I would encourage you to watch the video on Isaiah (found in the Read Scripture app and via our website on April 19th). Having this background understanding to this amazing book will help you to grasp its depths and truths, including those within our rich chapters for today.
     We see in these chapters the reality of dealing with present horrors whilst looking for a future hope. The scriptures reveal, however, that the difficulties facing God’s people are because of their abandonment of Him; deciding to go their own way. He has called them back many times but their leaders and prophets simply confirm the people’s lies guiding them away from God. God uses foreign powers to bring His judgement on His people; nevertheless, He will not abandon them. In His grace, He describes a return to blessing in the not too distant future. An eternal future is also described; it will be open to all. Here we see God’s plan of salvation in action and the foretelling of Jesus Christ and the Kingdom of God. These chapters are so rich I would encourage a deal of meditation upon them.
 
Application
     Prophecy is the telling forth of God’s truth into current context and the foretelling of future events (present and future). In Isaiah we will find both sides of prophecy; indeed we do in these chapters. Isaiah speaks into the current situation with God’s truth, he also foretells the future, predicting Christ’s arrival and mission. It is estimated that there are over 350 prophecies, pertaining to Jesus, in the Old Testament. We see in these chapters, prophecies that Jesus has fulfilled in detail, and prophecies yet to be fully achieved. As we look into our world today we see the consequences of going away from God, of false teaching that guides us further in separation and the need for hope. We see in Christ the arrival of God’s Kingdom and real hope. In current challenges we are able to look to the present presence of Christ and the eternal future hope with renewed confidence. Imagine life without hope!
 
The Question of Application
     How would you speak God’s truth into our world, country, city, church and personal context? What is God’s message of hope for the present and in the future?                 
     (We will unpack some of this on Sunday in the service).
   
Prayer
     Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Prince of Peace, we give you thanks for the light you bring to our darkness. We praise you for your present providence and thank you for the hope of eternal future. Salvation and glory belong to you alone, you are our strength and song; HALLELUJAH. Amen
 
Praise 
Rejoice the Lord is King! Emu Music, Keswick Convention 2020
Salvation belongs to our God! Randy Rothwell