“. . .so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.” (Isaiah 55:11)
These words of the prophet Isaiah speak of images and promises that fill us with peace and joy. Yet he proclaimed them originally to a people who were facing slavery and exile. The Jews had been defeated by the Babylonians and had lost everything and were now being carried away into exile far away from the Promised Land. To those people who were undergoing such great suffering and sadness, the words might have seemed to be empty promises, totally divorced from what they were actually experiencing.
The words of Isaiah prophesied the joy of those Jews who would return from exile some 70 years later. The exiles were urged not to look at what was happening to them for they would feel discouraged. Instead they were to look to the future as well as to the past to recall what Israel as a people had experienced throughout her history. As they did, they would realize that God had always been faithful to His word whether He was promising victory and blessing or judgment and tribulation. Thus His promises of future joy made here should be trusted fully as they were guaranteed.
In the midst of our sufferings today, we too must look to the past to remember what God has done not just for us as individuals, but for us His people, the Church. He has always been faithful to His promises. And His word does not change so we possess the great promise of eternal life even though for now we endure widespread violence, political unrest, social upheaval, and persecution.
And God has promised eternal life to those who have faith in Jesus. This great gift is freely given. This does not mean that every human being is saved or inherits eternal life. God’s grace is not cheap grace. The offer of free salvation is bestowed only on those who have faith in the sacrifice of Christ. Faith is the necessary requirement for salvation because without it, one does not really know he/she needs God’s mercy to be saved or that he/she is a sinner. Those who do not or will not repent cannot agree with the Lord as to their sinfulness and thus cannot have fellowship with Him. Those who request His help and rely on Him, however, will definitely find that He is there to lift them up in the midst of tribulation. And they will experience the peace that brings now and in eternity in heaven.