on that day

It will be said on that day,

“Behold, this is our God; we have waited for him, that he might save us.

This is the LORD; we have waited for him;

let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.”

Isaiah 25:9

One of the features of the prophet Isaiah is the way in which the book delivers both powerful words of judgment and stirring pictures of hope. This section is obviously a hope portion. It comes after a lengthy and descriptive discourse on the Day of the Lord… a time of future final judgment on planet earth in which the globe is engulfed in the complete judgment of God on sinful people. Chapter 24 is the fiery, smoking, charred portrait of complete justice destroying what sin has done to the world. Yet in chapter 25 we see hope among righteous people who are also kept by God. After this judgment comes rejoicing. Following disaster comes delight in God.

This description of this delight is eternal. They are plans God has had all along for the world (Isaiah 25:1). All the survivors of the Day of the Lord are a righteous remnant who upon God’s mountain enjoy a rich feast of celebration (Isaiah 25:6). Death has ended forever, as has all sorrow and all tears (Isaiah 25:8) as a new heavens and earth remade perfectly are enjoyed. It is the world as it should be… a world humanity has always longed for… and it is God’s ultimate goal for all His creation. First must come the dreadful Day of the Lord in judgment, then will come the beautiful time of forever enjoying God’s salvation in a world that knows death and sorrow no more!

Lord God,

You give hope for all days yet to come. You will rule in judgment over sin. You will rule in joyous eternal life over Your people. And even though these current days are still looking to Your Day, I will wait, with both healthy fear for Your judgment, and cause for joy in Your salvation. For You, Lord Jesus, have been given all judgment and have suffered all God’s wrath for my sin. And You, Lord Jesus will rule as the Prince of Peace with Your people!

Amen