"The way of the just is uprightness: thou, Most Upright, dost weigh the path of the just. Yea, in the way of thy judgments, O, LORD, have we waited for thee; the desire of our soul is to thy name, and to the remembrance of thee. With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness."
Isaiah 26:7-9
Part 4
Yesterday: From Bad Memory to a “Memorial”
“Yea, in the way of thy judgments, O LORD, have we waited for thee.”
In her captivity, Judah had plenty of time to think about the Law of the LORD. Now they await His salvation.
“The desire of our soul is to thy name.”
Now, their affection was for their God, Jehovah.
“And to the remembrance of thee.”
Their memorials helped them to remember Him. The Lord’s Supper helps us to remember what He has done for us!
Today: Sinners Will Listen Temporarily During Judgment
“With my soul have I desired thee in the night.”
No doubt God was their last thought at night. The pious ones in Judah remembered Him and His goodness to them in their land. They remembered what the Law said of Him. In the quietness of the night was a perfect time to meditate on Him.
“When I remember thee upon my bed and meditate on thee in the night watches” (Psalm 63:6).
“At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee because of thy righteous judgments” (Psalm 119:62).
We all have sleepless nights from time to time when we have an opportunity to think about our Lord.
“My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning: I say, more than they that watch for the morning” (Psalm 130:6).
We learn from Jesus’ example.
“And it came to pass in those days, that He went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God” (Luke 6:12).
“Yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early.”
But we aren’t looking only for Him in the night.
“I love them that love me, and those that seek me early shall find me” (Proverbs 8:17).
“O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is” (Psalm 63:1).
“And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, He [Jesus] went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed” (Mark 1:35).
Jesus got up early to spend time with His Father. The point is that we are to be seeking after God’s face daily, throughout the day.
“Let death seize upon them, and let them go down quick into hell: for wickedness is in their dwellings, and among them. As for me, I will call upon God; and the LORD shall save me. Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice” (Psalm 55:15-17).
“For when thy judgments are in the earth.”
We humans seem to learn best when we are under the correction of another. This is true of children, for God has designed it that their parents are there to correct them and keep them growing in a godly way. Students need teachers to correct their misunderstanding of the subject of study. Church members need pastors to keep them thinking biblically and to help them grow in Christ.
But, when will sinners learn God’s way? Not without His judgment being close to them. Remember the wicked people of Nineveh, that upon learning of God’s pending judgment, repented at the preaching of Jonah?
During our days in Guam, we saw some spectacular natural events take place. We lived through an 8.1 magnitude earthquake. Some super typhoons came over the island that seemed to threaten to blow everything off the land. After each of these events, it was amazing how the churches were full of people, at least until things got back “to normal,” and everyone got over the trauma. God had their attention for a little while.
“The inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.”
Yes, God’s judgment helps the ungodly learn righteousness for a little time. If they would only yield to God’s Word and give their hearts to the Lord! Unfortunately, most sinners are not interested in His salvation. Ultimately, “every knee will bow” and “every tongue will confess.” Still, again, that’s only as they are forced to comply during God’s judgment. There is no salvation of sinners then.
“(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succored thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation)” (2 Corinthians 6:2).
Believers, let’s continue to seek Him day and night and keep the Lord Jesus as the One who holds the first place in our affections. If we love Him as we ought, we will gladly share Him with sinners that we meet. Let’s show sinners how faithful our God is to care for our souls and provide for our needs!
Quote: “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success” (Joshua 1:8).