Day 215

What the King Will Do

Read: Isaiah 33-35

In this section, the Lord is seen as King. “Your eyes will see the king in his beauty” (33:17). “The Lord is our king; he will save us” (v. 22). As king, he will carry out his judgment on evil doers. It is probably the conquering Assyrians who are in mind when Isaiah says, “When you have ceased to destroy, you will be destroyed” (v. 1). God’s judgment will surely fall on all who deal “treacherously.”

How contemporary the condition described in 33:8, “Covenants are broken . . . there is no regard for man.” Such conduct shall not escape judgment, for we read, “‘Now I will arise,’ says the Lord, . . . ‘The peoples will be . . . like thorns cut down, that are burned in the fire’” (33:10-12).

But the King will also bless his people. And who are his people? “He who walks righteously and speaks uprightly” (33:15). For them “the desert shall rejoice and blossom” (35:1). “They shall see the glory of the Lord” (v. 2). “A highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Holy Way . . . The redeemed shall walk there” (vv. 8-9). “They shall obtain joy and gladness” (v. 10).

The prophets never tire of telling us that God will punish the wicked and bless the righteous, urging us to turn from sin and become righteous in the only way possible, through faith in Jesus Christ.

PRAYER
Father, remind us and others that we cannot avoid dealing with you, you who are King. In Christ. Amen.