In Isaiah 54, the great prophet promised the exiles in Babylon a time when they will have great peace instead of trials—a time of comfort instead of turmoil, like being "tossed with tempest". This time will be when Jerusalem is restored and the Jews return, but it also speaks of the time of the Messiah, the true Prince of Peace. And looking even farther into the future it is a time when we live in the Heavenly City, where there are no sorrows and no pain. God's promises for His servants are the same, from Israel’s return from captivity to the future promise of a restored, eternal Jerusalem.
How Can We Find Comfort in Trying Times?
On a personal level, there are many times in our lives when we feel, "not comforted", as Isaiah 54:11 puts it. We don't feel God's presence. Something may have happened, sin may have caused us to feel distant from God, tragedy may have made us doubt His presence. We find no comfort. Perhaps for a time we must endure suffering, but we should always have hope. This hope is what should give us comfort. When we seek the Holy Spirit’s comfort, He faithfully reminds us of God’s love and promises.
In Romans 15:13, Paul talks about this hope. "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." The Holy Spirit, our Comforter, gives us hope. He brings us back into the presence of God. Hebrews 6:19 tells us that this hope is an "anchor for the soul". A hope, firm and secure in His promises.
The fruit of the Holy Spirit working in our lives will bring love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control. What a hope filled life we would lead if we let the Holy Spirit bring forth these fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). They bring comfort to our soul. Also comforting is the thought of our future home in Heaven.
What Awaits Us in the Heavenly Jerusalem?
There will be a day when our foundation will be of sapphires, our pinnacles of rubies, our gates of crystal, and our walls of precious stones (Isaiah 54:11-12). Here is a description of Heaven, the New Jerusalem, and also a poetic description of the beauty of holiness. It is a description of the church arrayed in the glory of the Lord. We see a similar description in Revelation 21: 9-21. In Revelation, John describes the jeweled walls, gates of pearl and streets of gold in the New Jerusalem.
The New Jerusalem described in Revelation 21 is a city, where God and His people dwell, because His people are "members of the household of God" (Ephesians 2:19). We are the temple of God in which the Spirit of God lives (1 Corinthians 3:16). We who belong to Him are the actual city of God in which He dwells, His beloved people.
When John saw the New Jerusalem coming down from God out of Heaven, prepared as a bride for her husband (Revelation 21:2) — he saw the church, the bride of Christ — coming down upon her new home. The dwelling place of God and of the Lamb is the New Jerusalem. This New Jerusalem symbolizes both Heaven and the Church, for both are where we find God.
The evil men of the world had their city, Babylon, and God has His holy and perfect city, New Jerusalem. Hebrews 11:10 tells us this glorious city was what Abraham was looking forward to; a city whose designer and builder was God. Only righteousness dwells there (2 Peter 3:13). This is our desired haven (Psalm 107:30), our safe harbor.
Enduring Earthly Trials for a Heavenly Reward
Today many in the church are treated poorly, sharp words are said to us, physical harm even comes to some of us. Some of us die for Christ. It has been this way since the death of the first martyr, Stephen who was full of faith and power. We know God does not promise us an easy road on this earth. Like strangers, we don't belong here. Hebrews 13:14 reminds us, "For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come." (ESV) One day, we can look forward to no more pain and hurt. Instead, we will have eternal joy.
Children of God: Taught and Guided by the Lord
Isaiah continues in verse 13 and says: "All your children shall be taught by the Lord, and great shall be the peace of your children." When Isaiah speaks of children, he means children of God. Those of us who follow Him and are called according to His purpose. This is not the peace of the world that is promised. Because of our relationship with God we can have a peace that passes understanding (Philippians 4:7). As God's children we should not fear what tomorrow brings.
Jesus Himself refers to Isaiah 54:13 in John 6:45. Here Jesus says, "And they shall all be taught of God." Jesus adds, if you have heard God and learned from Him then you will follow Him. The Holy Spirit of God teaches us how to love (1 Thessalonians 4:9). God's righteousness requires us to love others.
Righteousness and Justice in God’s Kingdom
Our Lord continues in Isaiah 54:14 to promise that the church, symbolically the New Jerusalem, will be "established in righteousness". In this place, justice and truth will prevail. God's very name will be called, "The Lord our Righteousness" (Jeremiah 23:6). And in 1 Corinthians 1:30 we are told, Christ has become our righteousness.
Because of His righteousness we will not have to fear terror or oppression by others. We know that the church, over the centuries, has been terrorized and oppressed, but Isaiah teaches us we have nothing to fear. God stands with us always. The church will be established and will prevail. When Christ returns we will see His justice in the world. The enemies of Christ shall fall (Isaiah 54:15).
God’s Sovereignty Over All Creation
They will fall because everyone is ultimately under God's control. He created us all. However, He only permits evil men to do so much. Even the Devil himself was created by God. Certainly not created for evil purposes though, please don't misunderstand. Just as God raised up the Assyrians to carry the Israelites into captivity for 70 years, so He also caused the Assyrians to allow them to return to their home (Isaiah 10:12).
In Romans 9:17-18, we have another example of God's sovereignty. Paul tells us why God hardened Pharaoh's heart. Pharaoh was raised up to show the power of God so that God's name will be proclaimed throughout the earth. Paul says God shows mercy on whom He wants to and hardens those He wants to. God can use men for His purposes, sometimes purposes known only to Him, because He is sovereign.
The Heritage of the Servants of the Lord
God also promises Jerusalem protection. He says no weapon formed against us will prosper. This protection is not just for Jerusalem, but for His church, for all those who serve Him (Isaiah 54:17). As Barnes' Notes on the Bible says:
"This is the heritage - The inheritance which awaits those who serve God is truth and victory. It is not gold and the triumph of battle. It is not the laurel won in fields of blood. But it is, the protection of God in all times of trouble; his friendship in all periods of adversity; complete victory in all contests with error and false systems of religion; and preservation when foes rise up in any form and endeavor to destroy the church, and to blot out its existence and its name."
What a great heritage it is. Our victory is secure. It is the sure promise that God will be with us, our shield and our defender. He will preserve us in times of trouble. He will be our beloved Father and Jesus our beloved Brother. The heritage of the servants of the Lord is the protection, friendship and victory that God promises us forever.
True Service: Following the Example of Christ
But are we really a servant of the Lord? To be a servant means to perform your duty obediently. As a servant there are things we are required to do. We serve to glorify God with the strength God Himself gives us (1 Peter 4:11). Mark 10:45 tells us Jesus didn't come to earth to be served, but He actually came to serve us, by giving His life for us. In return, Jesus expects us to serve others just as He did, by being wholly obedient to God in our love, prayer, and humility.
Our Righteousness Comes From God Alone
We are blessed with these great promises because of our righteousness. But where does our righteousness come from? Does it come from the quantity of good that we do? Does it come from the number of times we pray each day or the amount of God's word we read? No! The Lord tells Isaiah that our righteousness comes from Him! In 2 Corinthians 5:21, Paul explains how this can be:
"For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him"
We are to live out this righteousness by showing God’s love and truth every day of our life.
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Please enjoy this beautiful old hymn I sang as a child, I'll Meet You in the Morning here. This song is based on Revelation 21:6 that describes the New Jerusalem. "The city is laid out as a square; its length is as great as its breadth. And he measured the city with the reed: twelve thousand furlongs. Its length, breadth, and height are equal."
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