Good people die, and no one understands or even cares. But when they die, no calamity can hurt them. Those who live good lives find peace and rest in death. (Isaiah 57: 1, 2, Good News Translation)
Heavenly Father, we look to You for comfort in the midst of pain and You are always there. Help us to remember that You are larger than any calamity and that even pain must give way to Your comfort. Thank You dear Father in the name of Jesus Savior. Amen.
This is a very comforting text. It is the complete assurance that God is Lord of all and over all. Even our worst enemy – death – God uses to do us the greatest good, deliver us from calamity and give us peace and rest! Hallelujah!
This message was given during the time of the impending Babylonian captivity. Israel’s constant rebelling against God was reaching its moment of punishment. But because God is the Lord of Justice He would not let all suffer the same destiny. He would let some be put to sleep before calamity fell upon the nation. There are two stories worth sharing that facilitates the understanding of our verse for today. There are stories of two of the kings of Judah.
The first story is of king Hezekiah. Hezekiah had been a good king. Scripture says of him: “And he did what was right in the sight of the Lord, according to all that his father David had done. . . .He trusted in the Lord God of Israel, so that after him was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor who were before him. For he held fast to the Lord; he did not depart from following Him, but kept His commandments, which the Lord had commanded Moses. The Lord was with him; he prospered wherever he went” (2 Kings 18: 3, 5-7a). That is quite an introduction.
But the day came when Hezekiah failed to lift up the God of Israel who had delivered him in the day of his trouble, and healed him when he was on his death bed. Instead he should them all the things he treasured in his palace. By doing this he jeopardized the safety of the people; yet God did not forget the former years of faithfulness of His child; and God put him to rest before the days of calamity fell upon the nation. We read the following in Scripture:
“Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, “‘“Hear the word of the Lord: ‘Behold, the days are coming when all that is in your house, and what your fathers have accumulated until this day, shall be carried to Babylon; nothing shall be left,’ says the Lord. ‘And they shall take away some of your sons who will descend from you, whom you will beget; and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.’” So Hezekiah said to Isaiah, “The word of the Lord which you have spoken is good!” For he said, “Will there not be peace and truth at least in my days?”'” “So Hezekiah rested with his fathers” (2 Kings 20: 16-19, 21).
Our next story is about good king Josiah. Besides being one of the youngest kings to sit upon the throne of Judah, I dare say he was the best. Of him we read: “And he did what was right in the sight of the Lord, and walked in all the ways of his Father David; he did not turn aside to the right hand or to the left” (2 Kings 22: 2). An almost identical introduction as that of Hezekiah with the exception, that he did not turn aside to the right hand or to the left. That kind of focus, especially for a youth, is nothing less than amazing!
Josiah had led the people of Israel into one of the greatest religious revivals and reformation ever to take place. Sad to say after his death his sons would not follow in their father’s footsteps. Therefore, the Babylonian captivity was inevitable. Nevertheless, God had promised his faithful servant king Josiah that he would not witness this calamity.
“But as for the king of Judah, who sent you to inquire of the Lord, in this manner you shall speak to him, ‘Thus says the Lord God of Israel: “Concerning the words which you have heard— because your heart was tender, and you humbled yourself before the Lord when you heard what I spoke against this place and against its inhabitants, that they would become a desolation and a curse, and you tore your clothes and wept before Me, I also have heard you,” says the Lord. “Surely, therefore, I will gather you to your fathers, and you shall be gathered to your grave in peace; and your eyes shall not see all the calamity which I will bring on this place”’”
And God kept His Word, as He always will.
Ephesians 3:14-2114 For this reason I bow my knees beofre the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, 16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.20 ? Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, 21 ? to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.I am on a balcony overlooking the ocean as the day begins and praying for our nation .for purity and holiness . for protection and provision. I am so glad He has all the answers. The above prayer has been placed on my heart to pray over my nation and area of influence. I will certainly join you in continuing to pray for our nation/others.
Ephesians 3:14-2114 For this reason I bow my knees beofre the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, 16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.20 ? Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, 21 ? to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.I am on a balcony overlooking the ocean as the day begins and praying for our nation .for purity and holiness . for protection and provision. I am so glad He has all the answers. The above prayer has been placed on my heart to pray over my nation and area of influence. I will certainly join you in continuing to pray for our nation/others.