Hope

SCRIPTURE

My beloved had a vineyard
    on a rich and fertile hill.
He plowed the land, cleared its stones,
    and planted it with the best vines.
In the middle he built a watchtower
    and carved a winepress in the nearby rocks.
Then he waited for a harvest of sweet grapes,
    but the grapes that grew were bitter. (Isaiah 5b-2)

The nation of Israel is the vineyard of the Lord of Heaven's Armies.
    The people of Judah are his pleasant garden.
He expected a crop of justice,
    but instead found oppression.
He expected to find righteousness,
    but instead he heard cries of violence. (v. 7)

...they have rejected the law of the Lord of Heaven's Armies;
    they have despised the word of the Holy One of Israel.
That is why the Lord's anger burns against his people,
    and why he has raised his fist to crush them. (v. 24b-25a)

But as a terebinth or oak tree leaves a stump when it is cut down,
    so Israel's stump will be a holy seed. (Isaiah 6:13b)

OBSERVATION

The book of Isaiah represented judgment to me before. I interpreted it as God's judgment for the wickedness and sin going on in the world. I had very little hope, and a pessimistic view on life. But then in the Fall of 2020, my perspective on the Father's love for us changed and I began to view Him as a loving Heavenly Father instead of a judgmental one. 

Before, I would have read the previous verses with dread and sorrow; expecting a terrifying end for an evil world. I would have conveniently skipped over the end of Isaiah 6:13, and the hope that laid therein. God does not leave His cherished creation in judgment. No, He loves us too much to just see us destroyed. Therefore He made a way for us to still have holy communion with Him. He only tears down to build back up again and restore us. He is removing all the sin and unrighteousness that keeps us apart from Him so He can hold us closely and dearly.

APPLICATION

I need to share this hope for those who are lost and are in despair. I need to let people know what awaits them if they continue living in unrighteousness. I need to let everyone know that they need to stop living self-centered lives, and what freedom awaits them in holy surrender.

PRAYER
Heavenly Father,
    Thank You for your grace and mercy that holds back your anger and judgment upon a worthless people. Equip Your servant to share the Gospel, and spread Your Kingdom here on earth. They need to know of Your Grace. They need to know of Your Great Love. They need to feel Your Peace. Forgive us of our pride, of our shame, and of our unrighteousness. Redeem us into Your Salvation, and may we worship You in Spirit and in Truth. For we are created to glorify You, and enjoy You forever. 

Be our All in all,
Amen

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