I saiah 56 - "This is what the Lord says" – might that phrase frighten some people – as with these words Isaiah Chapter 56 opens - and this is one of the main reasons why we come Sunday by Sunday - to hear what the Living God says.
And not just on Sundays – what does the Lord God have to say to us today – as disciples of Jesus Christ – as we read the Bible and Pray wherever we are?
This is God speaking – so pay attention – and get a better view of God. Acquire a better and wider and deeper understanding of God.
Man can say many things - some of the things which a man says may have some value - but what the Lord Jesus Christ says - what God says - has eternal value.
What God says is always right - and His words always give light - along with many other avenues of blessing. And God's Word is always spoken in love - even when they are words of warning and words of rebuke – and His Words are words of truth.
The words of our Living God can come to us in various ways - challenging - soothing - healing - reassuring - comforting - commanding - but they are always a source of deep blessing, when willingly received. Haven't we found that over the years?
His Words give us motivation for living - and His Words give purpose and meaning to life. Jesus said – ‘Unless you forsake all that you have you cannot be My disciple’ - now that is pretty strong language.
It is a challenge which is demanding - a challenge which involves sacrifice - a challenge which involves commitment.
Jesus Christ offered so much - but his demands are on the same level as what he offered. Have you noticed that God never has a sale - God never reduces the price. If you want what Paul had you have to pay what Paul paid.
Verse 1 - "Maintain justice and do what is right, for my salvation is close at hand - and my righteousness will soon be revealed."
We see here in verses 1to 8, a righteous God who welcomes all contrite sinners.
God is about to bring His people back. They have been prisoners in Babylon for 70 years. The invitation has gone out to those who are thirsty - and to the hungry - and to be satisfied you do not need any money – Isaiah Chapter 55.
Once you have begun to hear the word of the Lord - once you have begun to drink and eat - if you want to continue to enjoy the blessings of God - maintain justice – and do what is right. These are big words - and they are being spoken to the people of God.
My salvation is close at hand - there is a sense of placing your hand into the hand of God - just put your hand in My hand - and My righteousness will soon be revealed. When God brings His people back there is salvation and blessing.
“Loving, merciful, forgiving, and pardoning God, hear us as we come humbly before Your throne. We bow before You. We acknowledge You as the only God there is. We receive Your Word as truth. Father, we thank You for Jesus – and we thank You for pouring out the Holy Spirit, enabling us to serve with power even when it is not easy. Hear us, as we pray in Jesus Name.” Amen.
Alexander 'Sandy' Shaw is pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship in Nairn, Scotland. Nairn is 17 miles east of Inverness - on the Moray Firth Coast - not far from the Loch Ness Monster!
Gifted as a Biblical teacher, Sandy is firmly committed to making sure that his teachings are firmly grounded in the Word.
Sandy has a weekly radio talk which can be heard via the Internet on Saturday at 11:40am, New Orleans time, at wsho.com.