Shelter in the Storm
Isaiah 25:1-12
"You have been a refuge for the poor, a refuge for the needy in his distress, a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat."
(Isaiah 25:4)
We automatically think of the words "poor" and "needy" in physical or economic terms. But all around us are people who have prospered in many ways yet are spiritually empty. Oppression comes from personal conflict, difficult circumstances, the unusual stresses of life, bitterness from years gone by. Until the Messiah's return, these battles will continue. While Isaiah 24 speaks of the coming of God's judgment, chapter 25 begins with praise to God for His faithfulness. He has been and always will be the refuge, shelter and shade we need.
We are a stressed-out people, spending millions of dollars on medications and therapists to calm us. Know that beyond the remedies this world has to offer, there is a lasting Hope. Not only will there be judgment upon sin, but also there will be redemption for God's people. Rest in Isaiah's words to us: "You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord, is the Rock eternal" (26:3-4).
INSIGHT
Stress is real, but God's perfect peace - our Prince of Peace - is greater, bringing us safety and stability.
READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR
Job 3-4
Psalm 44
Luke 7
Isaiah 25:1-12
Praise to the LORD
1 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.
2 You have made the city a heap of rubble,
the fortified town a ruin,
the foreigners’ stronghold a city no more;
it will never be rebuilt.
3 Therefore strong peoples will honor you;
cities of ruthless nations will revere you.
4 You have been a refuge for the poor,
a refuge for the needy in their distress,
a shelter from the storm
and a shade from the heat.
For the breath of the ruthless
is like a storm driving against a wall
5 and like the heat of the desert.
You silence the uproar of foreigners;
as heat is reduced by the shadow of a cloud,
so the song of the ruthless is stilled. 6 On this mountain the LORD Almighty will prepare
a feast of rich food for all peoples,
a banquet of aged wine—
the best of meats and the finest of wines.
7 On this mountain he will destroy
the shroud that enfolds all peoples,
the sheet that covers all nations;
8 he will swallow up death forever.
The Sovereign LORD will wipe away the tears
from all faces;
he will remove his people’s disgrace
from all the earth.
The LORD has spoken.
9 In that day they will say,
"Surely this is our God;
we trusted in him, and he saved us.
This is the LORD, we trusted in him;
let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation."
10 The hand of the LORD will rest on this mountain;
but Moab will be trampled in their land
as straw is trampled down in the manure.
11 They will stretch out their hands in it,
as swimmers stretch out their hands to swim.
God will bring down their pride
despite the cleverness[a] of their hands.
12 He will bring down your high fortified walls
and lay them low;
he will bring them down to the ground,
to the very dust.
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