How did Isaiah handle the distressing visions from God?
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| English: Isaiah; illustration from a Bible card published by the Providence Lithograph Company (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
Most of us have never seen firsthand the death and destruction an invading army leaves behind, so it is difficult for us to comprehend war’s atrocities. But it may be even harder for us to see God as providential during wartime. We see Him as a completely loving Father, and rightly so. We might wonder how a loving God can take any part in war. At that point, however, we begin to place God in a box and forget about the other aspects of His person, such as His sovereignty, His justice, and His immutability.
Isaiah, with the aid of the Holy Spirit, sees a bigger picture. It is that picture of who God is and His role in our lives that we should focus on. God is sovereign over all of His creation. We see his power in nature, from the 150-mph winds to the powerful waves crashing along the coast. Thus, it is easy to know intellectually of His power and transcendence, but we often forget about His presence with us. When trials come, we tend to dwell on our sufferings instead of seeing how the Lord’s hand is involved. And it is involved. “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose” (Rom. 8:28 NASV). But we must remember that while God loves His people, He hates wickedness. Even though Babylon was not yet a world power when Isaiah wrote this, God raised it up to be His tool in chastising His people for their evil deeds.
Our Father’s sovereignty and love are unchangeable. At times it seems that those who are unethical are the ones being promoted at the workplace. I have talked with a number of Christian men who have stood for their beliefs at work and been penalized for it. All around us it may appear that our enemies are profiting. But as Isaiah points out, we need to look at the big picture and remember that God’s character never changes. His love for His elect will never dwindle. He may put them through trials to help them grow, but our Father’s covenants are steadfast. Not only will He save His elect, but He will destroy their enemies.
We have the assurance that our Father is not some utterly transcendent, deistic deity who is merely watching His people as they go through life. He is omnipotent and powerful—and He is on our side! He is present with us, and not only watches over us but guides our steps. We have the assurance that even when we are going through trials and feel as if we are in exile, He is there. Let us keep our eyes focused on the big picture and the way our sovereign Father is working in our lives to bring us home.
