Praise the Lord! Let us thank and praise the Lord our God for the blessed week He has given us to live on earth and glorify His wonderful name. It doesn’t matter how long we live on earth, what matters is how we live our life on earth. Our Creator God’s will for us is to live our life according to His will and purpose. It is stated in the Scripture that Blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him (Jeremiah 17:7). If we closely examine our own lives, many of us can understand that the Lord has bestowed on us so many life-changing moments and life-changing blessings in our life so far. Those life-changing moments and blessings should be able to direct our paths in the right direction [righteous or godly paths] during the remaining part of our life on earth. Anyone who lives their life in accordance with God’s will and purpose would reap blessings in this life as well as eternal life in the age to come, but those whose life is lived differently [that is, either in accordance with one’s own interest or according to the pattern of this world] would end up in misery in the present age and condemnation in the age to come. These factors are evident in Psalm 1:

Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers. Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to destruction (Psalm 1:1-6)

In the light of our discussion here, it is time for us to become fully aware of the fact that we are created to live our life according to the will and purpose of the Lord God Almighty who created us (Genesis 1:26-27; 2:7; 5:1; Job 33:4; Isaiah 64:8; Romans 12:2; 2 Timothy 1:12; 1 Peter 4:19). Therefore, let us carefully live our life worthy of the calling we received, as Apostle Paul urged the believers in Ephesus: As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love (Ephesians 4:1-2).

The Lord has blessed us with a powerful praise and worship Scripture passage for our SftW meditation this week that is taken from the prophetic book of Isaiah 12:1-6 (mentioned above). The book of Isaiah is written by prophet Isaiah son of Amoz during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah (Isaiah 1:1). Isaiah’s writings represent the incidents of three different generations: (i) the things that happened during his lifetime (Chapters 1-39); (ii) the things that is about to happen during the exilic period [while in Babylon] (Chapters 40-55); and (iii) the things that would happen after the remnants’ return to the land the Lord their God gave them as inheritance (Chapters 56-66). Isaiah focuses his prophetic utterances on the unfaithfulness and rebellion of Israel and God’s judgement upon them for the sins they committed against Him in addition to the invitation to repent and return to the Lord their God for a future restoration and salvation through the coming of the long-awaited Messiah [the King of kings and the Lord of lords] who will establish an everlasting Kingdom that would last forever and ever. Some of the key biblical concepts prophet Isaiah includes in His writings are:

• • The expression of the true glory, majesty, and greatness of the Lord God Almighty, the God who created this universe and everything in it and reigns over His creation from everlasting to everlasting
  • The exposing of the unfaithfulness [that includes sin, rebellion, idolatry] of Israel and Judah and the wickedness all other nations on earth
  • The messages on God’s judgement upon the people of Jerusalem and Judah including their exile …
    • for rejecting the covenant He made with them [that originally made with their ancestors]
    • for not following the righteous laws and decrees and commands He has given to them through His servant Moses
    • for practicing of idolatry in the land the Lord their God gave them as inheritance
    • for burning incense to the gods/goddesses of the neighboring nations and worshipping them
    • for the widespread practice of wickedness and injustice in the land; and so on.
  • The hopeful messages on the restoration of God’s people in due time that God will not utterly abandon or forsake His chosen people Israel [in which Judah also included] forever rather He will bring their remnant back to their home country [Israel], the land the Lord their God gave them as their inheritance, and the restoration of Jerusalem as the City where the Lord Almighty will establish His throne for ever and ever and, thus, the entire world would seek after for the City of God.
  • The promises of the coming of Messiah, the Christ the God incarnate as …
    • Immanuel [God with us]
    • the bearer of everyone’s sin
    • the suffering Servant
    • the King of kings
    • the Lord of lords
    • the divine healer
    • the divine redeemer
    • the ruler over all creation of God

Despite all God’s blessings upon them and the rewarding promises given to them, the nation of Israel (including both the people of Israel and Judah) was unfaithful to the Lord their God, as prophet Isaiah stated: All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away (Isaiah 64:6). The Lord their God made a holy covenant with them, gave them the righteous laws and decrees and commands to abide with, many rewarding promises for a secured future life, and so on. Yet, they sinned and rebelled against Him. Prophet Isaiah lists some of the sins and rebellious mentality of God’s chosen people who behaved and acted unfaithfully before God with reference to Isaiah 1:4-31 …

• • Woe to the sinful nation (1:4a)
  • They were a people whose guilt is great (1:4b)
  • They were a brood of evildoers (1:4c)
  • They were children given to corruption (1:4d)
  • They have forsaken the Lord (1:4e)
  • They have spurned the Holy One of Israel (1:4f)
  • They turned their backs on him (1:4g)
  • They were punished severely (1:5a)
  • Despite their punishment, they still persist in rebellion (1:5b)
  • Their whole head is injured (1:5c)
  • Their whole heart afflicted (1:5d)
  • From the sole of your foot to the top of your head there is no soundness (1:6a)
  • They are filled with insults (1:6b)
  • Their entire body is filled with wounds (1:6c)
  • Their life is filled with grief (1:6d)
  • The body is covered with open sores (1:6e)
  • Their wounds and injuries are not cleansed (1:6f)
  • Their wounds and injuries are not bandaged (1:6g)
  • Their wounds are not soothed with olive oil (1:6h)
  • Because of the widespread wickedness, their country is desolate (1:7a)
  • Because of the widespread wickedness, their cities burned with fire (1:7b)
  • Because of the widespread wickedness, their fields are being stripped by foreigners right infant of them (1:7c)
  • Because of the widespread wickedness, their fields are laid waste as when overthrown by strangers (1:7d)
  • Daughter Zion is left like a shelter in a vineyard (1:8a)
  • Daughter Zion is left like a hut in a cucumber field (1:8b)
  • Daughter Zion is left like a city under siege (1:8c)
  • Yet, the Lord Almighty had left us some survivors (1:9a)
  • Because of His mercy, the Lord did not make them like Sodom (1:9b)
  • Because of His mercy, the Lord did not make them like Gomorrah (1:9c)
  • There is an invitation to the rulers of Sodom to hear word of the Lord (1:10a)
  • There is an invitation for the people of Gomorrah to listen to the instruction of our God (1:10b)
  • The multitude of their sacrifices do not make any difference to God since they themselves are sinful (1:11a)
  • The Lord has no pleasure in their sacrifices or burnt offerings of rams or the fat of fattened animals (1:11b)
  • The Lord has no pleasure in the blood of bulls and lambs and goats (1:11c)
  • They sin against the Lord and against His anointed ones (1:12a)
  • Without a pure heartland mind they simply trample the courtyard of God’s sanctuary (1:12b)
  • God is asking them to stop bringing meaningless offerings (1:13a)
  • They incense they before the Lord is detestable to Him (1:13b)
  • God is fed-up with the festivals of their New Moons, Sabbaths and convocations (1:13c)
  • God cannot bear anymore their worthless assemblies (1:13d)
  • The Lord hates with all His being their New Moon feasts (1:14a)
  • The Lord hates with all His being their appointed festivals (1:14b)
  • Their New Moon feasts and their appointed festivals have become a burden to God (1:14c)
  • The Lord is weary of bearing their New Moon feasts and appointed festivals (1:14d)
  • The Lord is weary of bearing their wicked deeds (1:14e)
  • The Lord hide His eyes from them when they spread out your hands in prayer (1:15a)
  • The Lord hide His eyes even when they offer many prayers (1:15b)
  • The Lord is not listening their prayers because they were unfaithful to Him (1:15c)
  • The Lord is not listening their prayers because their hands are full of blood (1:15d)
  • The Lord is urging them to wash and make themselves clean (1:16a)
  • The Lord is urging them to take their evil deeds out of His sight (1:16b)
  • The Lord is urging them to stop doing wrong (1:16c)
  • The Lord is urging them to learn to do right (1:17a)
  • The Lord is urging them to seek justice (1:17b)
  • The Lord is urging them to defend the oppressed (1:17c)
  • The Lord is urging them to take up the cause of the fatherless (1:17d)
  • The Lord is urging them to plead the case of the widow (1:17e)
  • The Lord is inviting them to come and settle the matter with Him (1:18a)
  • The Lord is willing to forgive all their sins and wickedness (1:18b)
  • However many sins they committed, which are like scarlet He will make it as white as snow (1:18c)
  • Even if their sins are red as crimson, He will make it like wool (1:18d)
  • If they are willing and obedient, they will eat the good things of the land (1:19a)
  • If they forsake their wicked ways and follow Him wholeheartedly, they will enjoy prosperity (1:19b)
  • The Lord says: If you resist and rebel, they will be devoured by the sword (1:20a)
  • The Lord assures: If you resist and rebel, they will be completely destroyed (1:20b)
  • Once the City was faithful but now she has become a prostitute (1:21a)
  • Once the City was full of justice but now it has become the city of murderers (1:21b)
  • Once righteousness used to dwell in the City but now murderers lives in her (1:21c)
  • Their silver has become dross (1:22a)
  • Their choice wine is diluted with water (1:22b)
  • Their rulers are rebels (1:23a)
  • The rulers partner with thieves (1:23b)
  • They all love bribes (1:23c)
  • They all chase after gifts (1:23d)
  • They do not defend the cause of the fatherless (1:23e)
  • The widow’s case does not come before them (1:23f)
  • [Because of their sin and rebellion] The Lord Almighty, the Mighty One of Israel, will vent His wrath on His foes (1:24a)
  • [Because of their sin and rebellion] The Lord Almighty, the Mighty One of Israel, will avenge Himself on His enemies (1:24b)
  • [Because of their sin and rebellion] The Lord Almighty, the Mighty One of Israel, will turn His hand against them (1:25a)
  • [Because of their sin and rebellion] The Lord Almighty, the Mighty One of Israel, the Lord their God will thoroughly purge away their dross (1:25b)
  • [Because of their sin and rebellion] The Lord Almighty, the Mighty One of Israel, will remove all their impurities from among them (1:25c)
  • The Lord promises that He will restore their leaders as in days of old (1:26a)
  • The Lord promises that He will restore their rulers as at the beginning (1:26b)
  • After the Lord their God restores them, they will be called the City of Righteousness (1:26c)
  • After the Lord their God restores them, they will be called the Faithful City (1:26d)
  • Zion will be delivered with justice (1:27a)
  • Zion’s penitent ones with righteousness (1:27b)
  • The rebels and sinners will both be broken (1:28a)
  • Those who forsake the Lord will perish (1:28b)
  • You will be ashamed because of the sacred oaks in which you have delighted (1:29a)
  • You will be disgraced because of the gardens that you have chosen (1:29b)
  • You will be like an oak with fading leaves (1:30a)
  • You will be like a garden without water (1:30b)
  • The mighty man will become tinder (1:31a)
  • The mighty man’s work a spark (1:31b)
  • The mighty man and his work will be burned together with no one to quench the fire (1:31c)

The praise and worship Scripture passage (Isaiah 12:1-6) we chose for our meditation reflects the remnants’ response to God’s faithfulness to them for everything the Lord their God has done for them individually and collectively, including forgiving their sin and rebellion against Him and bringing the remnants back to their home-land, which was given to their ancestors and to their descendants as inheritance – in this case to the remnants of Israel, particularly to the remnants of Jerusalem and Judah who continued to remain in the land [who were under captivity but not exiled to different regions] as well as who were under captivity and exiled to various territories of Babylonian empire. They realized that no human being can help them nor save them from their oppressors as their oppressors were so powerful and wicked and evil (Habakkuk 1:6-11) who killed their rulers and mighty warriors and common people alike. These remnants were exactly in the position of Jonah the prophet while he was stuck in the belly of the great fish that God appointed to swallow him alive (Jonah 1:17). Let us momentarily examine Jonah’s life situation: the one mistake he did (that is, disobeying God’s command to go and preach against the city of Nineveh and running away from his God assigned responsibility / Jonah 1:1-3) caused him almost his life itself in addition to all the pain and struggles he went through during the run-away time. Every stage he went through while he was running away from God drawn him more and more dangerous situations and less and less chance to escape from the danger [death] he faced. For instance, while he was running away from his God, people, and country, he was caught by the ship crew and other passengers who threw him in to roaring sea [the roaring sea situation was more dangerous than the angry people situation in the ship]; from the roaring sea, he ended up in the belly of fish [being in the belly of fish is more dangerous than being in the open sea), from the belly of fish to the enemy’s territory [being in the enemy territory is more dangerous than being in the belly of fish]. The final outcome of every situation he ended up supposed to be an end-of-life situation. Yet, God saved him from every life-threatening situation (God saved him from the hands of the people who tried to kill him by throwing him into the roaring sea, though upon his own suggestion [Jonah 1:11-12]; God saved him again from the roaring sea that could have easily endangered his life by commanding a huge fish to swallow him [Jonah 1:17]; God saved him from the huge fish [or other creatures] that could have easily made him its next meal by commanding it to spit him out onto dry land [Jonah 2:10]; God saved him from the hands of the enemies [Assyrians] who were more powerful than a strong kingdom itself [Jonah 3:1-5]). When he prayed and admitted his failures before God, the Lord his God [the God of Israel] was merciful to forgive his short-comings and save his life from all life-threatening dangers he faced (Jonah 2:1-9). The reasons Jonah was running away from God was that he failed to understand that only God’s purpose and plans will prevail (Isaiah 46:10; Job 42:2; Proverbs 19:2). He thought that he was running away from God but in reality he was running towards God as there is no place in the world that he can run away and hide from God who created this vast universe and everything in it (Psalm 139:7-12). Like prophet Jonah [as all his personal plans and purposes failed] repented and pleaded with the Lord his God to save his life from the life-threatening dangers he faced, the remnants of God’s chosen people [who were forcefully taken out from their own homes and towns and nation and exiled to various other territories because of their own wrongdoings] also repented and return to Him wholeheartedly, and the Lord their God was merciful to forgive their failures and unfaithfulness toward Him and promised them that He would bring them back to the land He gave them as inheritance. And, God was faithful to fulfill His promise to them as He delivered and brought them back to their own land the Lord their God has given them as inheritance. The remnants too understood the mighty hands of God in their deliverance, redemption/salvation, and restoration and they praise and worship His holy name (Isaiah 12:1-6).

As Christ’s faithful followers, we can understand that despite the chosen peoples’ unfaithfulness toward the Lord their God, He remained faithful to them as He promised to their ancestors long ago, as prophet Samuel stated: For the sake of his great name the LORD will not reject his people, because the LORD was pleased to make you his own (1 Samuel 12:22). Apostle Paul stated: I ask then: Did God reject his people? By no means! I am an Israelite myself, a descendant of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin (Romans 11:1). Prophet Isaiah also stated on several occasions regarding God’s love and care and salvation upon His people:

Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The LORD, the LORD himself, is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation (Isaiah 12:2).

The LORD is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him (Isaiah 15:2).

LORD, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done wonderful things, things planned long ago (Isaiah 25:1).

I delight greatly in the LORD; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels (Isaiah 61:10)

Dear friends in the Lord, as we conclude our SftW meditation for this week, let us draw closer to the throne of Grace holding up the promises the Lord our God spoke to us through His servant prophet Isaiah: [God said] Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand (Isaiah 41:10).  Again, the Lord our God spoke to us through Isaiah that I, the LORD, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles, to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness. I am the LORD; that is my name! I will not yield my glory to another or my praise to idols (Isaiah 42:6-8). Prophet Zephaniah urged his hearers/readers encouraging and reassuring them that The LORD your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing (Zephaniah 3:17). All these promises reveals to us that He is able to save us and no one can snatch us out of His hands. Therefore, let us trust Him and hold fast unto Him and move forward boldly and courageously in our spiritual walk with Jesus until we reach our destination of the throne of Grace where the Lord our God is enthroned! May the Lord God Almighty bless us all! Amen!