He vows to take away their disgrace and lovingly bring them back into relationship with Him. Next, the prophet shares in verses 4-6 God’s comparison of Israel to a widow facing reproach. ![]() “.more are the children of the desolate woman than that of her who has a husband.Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back…”. The Lord begins in verses 1-3 by using the image of a barren woman, and promises her enough children to “spread out to the right and to the left”, driving out nations before them. In the NIV translation, this chapter has the heading, “The Future Glory of Zion.” It is a prophecy that God speaks through Isaiah to encourage the Israelites. And it is I who have created the destroyer to wreak havoc…” See, it is I who created the blacksmith, who fans the coals into flame and forges a weapon fit for its work. He used an image of a blacksmith forming metal tools and weapons to introduce the idea that He is the Creator, fully in control of all that happens to His people: “If anyone does attack you, it will not be my doing whoever attacks you will surrender to you. Verses 15-17 are a description of the protection and eventual victory God will bless His people with. The second section of the book is a hopeful prophecy about the restoration to come after the Jew’s exile. It contained a warning of disaster that God planned for His people if they remained unfaithful. Written between 700 and 681 B.C., it was a plea to the people who had strayed from God. The Prophet Isaiah directed this book to the nation of Judah. “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world’s darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” ( Ephesians 6:12).īut no matter what comes against us, seen or unseen, we can be “able to stand” when we lean into God’s grace. ![]() The Apostle Paul later addressed another battle that Christians face in the Book of Ephesians - spiritual warfare: Sometimes we find ourselves at odds with other people for one reason or another. The truth is that everyone must handle all sorts of problems. But He also added reassurances that God was near and would be active in a believer’s life. Jesus stated plainly that, “in this world you will have trouble” ( John 16:33) and “each day has enough trouble of its own” ( Matthew 6:34). But God remained faithful to care for them. In fact, from the very beginning, the Israelite nation dealt with a harsh journey through the desert and enemy armies that wanted to destroy them. God’s Word doesn’t promise His people a life free of problems. When my spirit sags, these words bolster me up. But all the descendants of Israel will find deliverance in the Lord and will make their boast in him” (Isaiah 45:24-25). All who have raged against him will come to him and be put to shame. Isaiah says something similar in other parts of his book: “All who rage against you will surely be ashamed and disgraced those who oppose you will be as nothing and perish” (Isaiah 41:11).“They will say of me, ‘In the Lord alone are deliverance and strength. Though for a time it may seem that we are defeated in a situation, God assures us the victory. Simply put, God was stating that anyone who is seeking to do evil against believers will fail. What Does "No Weapon Formed Against Me Shall Prosper" Mean? Though it evokes images from an older age, this verse has meaning for us today in our struggles, whether small and large. The idea actually echoes an assurance the Lord gave the young nation of Israel:“.I will be an enemy to your enemies and will oppose those who oppose you” (Exodus 23:22). He was reminding His people of His might and sovereignty, as well as His abiding love for them. ![]() God made a powerful declaration and promise here. ![]() This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is from Me,” Says the Lord” (Isaiah 54:17). “No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in judgment You shall condemn. Isaiah 54:17 is one of my go-to verses, because it always calms my heart and sets me right. Reading God’s Word might not change circumstances in the moment, but our strength can be renewed and our attitude can be adjusted while we walk through a trial. Life presents us with many challenges, but thankfully encouragement can be found literally at our fingertips.
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