By Guest Writer
Scripture Reading: Isaiah 33:1-24, Isaiah 34:1-17, Zechariah 10:6, Romans 5:8-11
These are hard and sobering verses, aren’t they? Today’s chapters round out the sixth of Isaiah’s woes, this one directed at Assyria. We’re witness to Judah’s desperation and God’s detailed promise to ruin a nation that harmed His people.
But what we also see on full display is our Father’s unfailing love. Even after all Judah had done, God spoke hope and redemption for them.
It’s a pattern we know, isn’t it? Beginning all the way back in Genesis, every time His people turned their hearts from God and then cried out in their distress, God was faithful to meet them. They had hit that desperation here—even the warriors, the bravest among them, cried loudly in the streets (Isaiah 33:7). They were broken. Yet Isaiah’s plea for grace from God was paired with a bold declaration of faith that they knew when God would rise up, the nations would scatter (v.3).
Not if, but when.
Their hope in God was still alive. They still feared Him, and that was their treasure (v.6).
This hope, full of a fear and respect for God, opened a new door for God’s people. Here, something changed. God had been so faithful, raising up leaders like Abraham, Moses, and David. He raised up judges and kings and prophets.
And now we read of a different way God will save them. It’s time for a new raising up.
When Isaiah says, “when you rise in your majesty” (v.3), it feels like an invitation for God’s reply just seven verses later. It’s like God says, “Now that you understand you’re out of options, now that you’ve come to your own end, now I will rise up.”
Can you imagine the hope and relief that pulsed through Judah as God pronounced these three “nows”?
Now I will rise up.
Now I will lift myself up.
Now I will be exalted (v.10).
God promised to strengthen, deliver, and restore Judah (Zechariah 10:6). And He would reconcile and save those who trust in Him (Romans 5:8–11). He would restore peace. He promised Jesus our Judge, our Lawgiver, our King (Isaiah 33:22): Jesus, the One who lived righteously, the One who dwells on high, the One who is our daily bread and living water (vv.15–16).
To save His people from their suffering, He has raised Himself. He made a way for all who love Him, for all whose fear of the Lord is their treasure.
Because of the LORD’s faithful love, we do not perish, for His mercies never end. They are new every morning.
—Lamentations 3:22–23
Written by Marnie Hammar
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