Isaiah 54 Devotional
by Pastor Lawrence

           Moving from the Servant of the Lord to the servants of the Lord, Isaiah describes the people of Israel in this chapter as a barren woman, a widow, and a wife deserted.  But there is hope for the barren woman for she will have children and for the widow for she will not be disgraced, and for the wife deserted for she will be loved by her husband.  God reveals himself to his people here not only as their Maker but as their husband, not only as the Holy One of Israel but as their redeemer.  And as their redeemer-husband, the Lord will have compassion upon his people.  Although he was angry with them for their unfaithfulness, he renews his covenant of love and peace with them again, assuring them in v.10 that though the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, his steadfast love will never depart from them.       

           Once again, the Lord seeks to bring comfort to a people who are slow to come to Him for comfort.  In v.11 he addresses them in this way: “O afflicted one, storm-tossed and not comforted.”  How often does that describe our condition in the midst of our trials?  We are so easily afflicted and tossed about, and we so easily lose let our emotions rule over us instead of looking to the Lord by faith.  If we would only take the Lord at his word.  He says to Israel in vv.11bff “…I will set your stones in antinomy, and lay your foundations with sapphires.  I will make your pinnacles of agate, your gates of carbuncles, and all your wall of precious stones.”  In other words, not only will the Lord build you up again, but He will pour out his love and favor upon you, showing once again that you are His treasured people.  

           Additionally, Isaiah says to Israel, in v.13 “All your children shall be taught by the Lord, and great shall be the peace of your children.”  Though it looks bleak right now, the Lord not only is blessing you, but blessing your descendants after you.  Indeed they will possess the nations, even inheriting the earth.   The Lord will establish his people, and He will protect them as well.  In the last few verses, the Lord reminds his people that He is the one who creates the smith who makes the weapons and the one who creates the wielder of those weapons.  Nevertheless, the Lord will not allow a weapon to be wielded against Israel in triumph, nor will He allow a word to be spoken against them in judgment.  For He had sworn their vindication before the world and that they would receive the heritage of the Lord as sons of God.    

           But what caused this change of heart towards his people?  The suffering sacrifice of the servant of the Lord satisfied the wrath of the Holy One of Israel.  Even though Jesus had not yet come to earth in the flesh, every demonstration of the grace and mercy of God toward sinners is based solely upon the merit and passion of the Lord Jesus Christ.  It is because the Lord crushed him for our iniquities that we now have peace with God.  It is because the Lord poured out his holy wrath upon him that He now speaks words of compassion and mercy to us.  It is because the Lord wounded him that we are now healed and comforted.