I will rise up

 

     As a kid, there was one phrase my mom would use that sent a shock wave of fear throughout my whole being. That phrase was, “Just wait until your dad gets home.” Nothing helps a boy develop a prayer life like that phrase. I knew dad got home, bad things awaited me.

 

     Now as a kid, I needed discipline like that. But as Christians, do you realize that phrase is our hope. No matter how bad things get, we can all say “Just wait until my Jesus gets here.” Our passage today is such a passage for God’s people.

 

     Isaiah 33:10-18 (CEB):

 

     Now I will arise, says the LORD, Now I will exalt myself; now I will stand tall.

 

You conceive straw, give birth to stubble; your breath is a fire that devours you. Peoples will be burned to lime, thorns cut up and set ablaze. You who are far away, hear what I have done; and you who are near, know my strength!

 

Sinners became terrified in Zion; trembling seized the godless: “Who amony us can live with the devouring fire? Who among us can live with the everlasting blaze?” The one who walks righteously and speaks truthfully, who rejects profit from extortion, who waves away a bribe instead of grabbing it, who won’t listen to bloody plots, and who won’t contemplate doing something evil. He will live on the heights; fortresses in the cliffs will be his refuge. His food will be provided, his water guaranteed. When you gaze upon a king in his glamour and look at the surrounding land, in dismay you will think: Where is the one who counts? Where is the one who weighs? Where is the one who counts towers?

 

 

This is the Word of God.

For the people of God.

Thanks be to God.

 

     There is some important details found in another book of the Bible (later in Isaiah) that help us understand the situation that prompts these words from God. In 2 Chronicles 32, we find God’s people in the kingdom of Judah surrounded by the Assyrian army. It appears that there is no hope for victory, and the enemy knows it. The Assyrians are taunting God’s people, King Hezekiah, and even God. In this moment, it seems like darkness is going to triumph. But what seems impossible to us is possible for God.

 

     God’s people are helpless in this situation. They do not possess the means to achieve victory in this moment. Verse 10 records, “Now I will rise up.” As a matter of fact, God says “now” three times. One commentator pointed out that the use of “now” has an explosive sound to it in the original Hebrew. God is coming to rescue His people and silence the arrogant.

 

     Verses 11 and 12 say, “You conceive straw, give birth to stubble; your breath devours you. Peoples will be burned to lime, thorns cut up and set ablaze.” The word “breath” is a fun word in the Hebrew, it means “wind, breath, and spirit.” Its use here is implying that the breath given to the Assyrians by God was being misused in their attitude and arrogance toward God and God’s people. At the same time, it was breathing their own destruction. Verse 13 essentially is telling the Assyrians, as well as the hypocrites among God’s people, that there is no chance against the power of God.

 

     There are two questions asked in verse 14, “Who among us can live with the devouring fire? Who among us can live with the everlasting blaze?” This fire is not speaking of the fires of hell, but of God. God is an “all-consuming fire.” No evil or sin can withstand God’s presence. There is only one way to survive, outlined in verses 15 and 16. That way is the way of holiness, living in faith to God and living out that faith demonstrating love to God. The Wycliffe commentary says it best, “There is no place so secure as the center of God’s will.”

 

     What does this have to do with us? How does this connect with the phrase, “just wait until my dad gets home.” First, we need to know how the story of King Hezekiah and God’s people ends. Remember, they are completely surrounded with no chance of victory. They are so hopeless that the enemy is taunting them, the king, and God. But 2 Chronicles 32:21 says, “Then the LORD sent a messenger who destroyed every warrior, leader, and officer in the camp of the Assyrian army. When Sennacherib went home in disgrace, he entered the temple of his god, and his own sons killed him with a sword.”

 

     And that is the lesson for us. Dad showed up. When the darkness was at its peak, defeat was moments a way, God showed up and won the victory. Verse 18 in our passage asks, “Where is the one who counts? Where is the one who weighs? Where is the one who counts towers?” Summarized, “Where is the enemy?” They are all dead or running away like a scared little dog.

 

     As followers of Jesus Christ, if we remain in the faithful and live in the way of holiness, there is no chance for evil to win. No matter how dark the times become, how strong evil’s influence seems to grip the hearts and world around us, God has promised us victory! At the very moment the defeat of good seems to be at hand, the clouds will be rolled back and Jesus will descend! With the word of His mouth, all of evil and sin will be defeated and sentenced to the abyss!

 

     You might be listening and thinking, that is great. That will be a great and glorious day. But how does that help me with the darkness now? Jesus can chase that darkness from your heart and mind if you place your faith in Him! He holds the keys to every chain the enemy has holding you captive. And at just the mention of His name the darkness has to flee. Mention the name of Jesus in faith and be released now knowing God’s victory can be in your heart now.

 

 

This is my Father’s world

O let me never forget

That though the wrong seems oft so strong

God is the Ruler yet.

This is my Father’s world.

The battle is not done;

Jesus who died, shall be satisfied.

And earth and heaven be one.