Tuesday
This is what the Lord says – your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel:
“I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go. If only you had paid attention to my commands, your peace would have been like a river, your righteousness like the waves of the sea.”
(Isaiah 48:17-18, NIV)
Following the prophet Isaiah’s book of judgment against Israel and Judah and nations that surrounded the northern and southern kingdoms, chapters 40-66 offer the promise of deliverance and restoration for Israel. In the midst of Isaiah’s harsh criticism of Israel for its stubbornness, the promise of freedom from the Babylonians is prophesied. Then Isaiah quoted the words of the Lord about the promise of peace “like a river” and righteousness “like the waves of the sea” (v. 18). This glorious picture of peace and justice which flows from the hand of God is a repeated theme in Scripture. Isaiah earlier described how God desires to “rain down righteousness” on his people so that salvation and righteousness will grow on the earth (45:8). Hosea used the same imagery when he described how the Lord “showers righteousness” on his people (10:12). For an agrarian society dependent on the rain, these words powerfully communicated the truth of God’s promises.
Today’s verses also repeat the Biblical theme of the link between peace and justice as well as the fact that these flow from a life of obedience to God’s commandments. The promise of peace, a refreshing, life-giving peace, is a gift from God to those who are faithful to him. It cannot be found anywhere else. God removes all doubt about this when he says, “There is no peace for the wicked” (Isaiah 48:22).
Prayer
Creator God, we rejoice in the fact that you graciously desire to shower righteousness on your people like rain. Help us to understand that there is no peace for those who disobey you. You are the only source of internal peace and tranquility. In our times of weakness and failure, strengthen us through your Holy Spirit. Amen.