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The Scriptorium

A Promise of Healing

The God Who judges also heals.

Promise and Rebuke: Isaiah 56, 57 (5)

Pray Psalm 19.12-14.
Who can understand his errors?
Cleanse me from secret faults.
Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins;
Let them not have dominion over me.
Then I shall be blameless,
And I shall be innocent of great transgression.
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
Be acceptable in Your sight,
O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer.

Read Isaiah 57.14-18.

Reflect.
1. God reminds His people of His high and holy status. Why?

2. From what does God promise to heal His people? With what result?

Meditate.
God’s anger against His people does not continue indefinitely. When it is satisfied – as it will be in the suffering of His Servant – then grace and forgiveness can be renewed. These verses are a reminder to the people of Judah and Jerusalem that the high, lofty, and holy God who judges the sins of His people will also bring healing in its time.

But who can know that healing? Is God’s grace dispensed willy-nilly to all people? No, only to those who seek revival and are humble and contrite in their hearts (v. 15). God does not “owe” His people salvation, forgiveness, or healing. They must desire these from Him, and seek them earnestly. There will be no healing for those who continue in their sins (vv. 16, 17), but only continued judgment. Knowing that God is ready to forgive, the people should begin seeking His grace now, even as they prepare to go into captivity in Babylon. Otherwise, they may harden their hearts against Him, and never realize His comforts (v. 18).

We can dwell with God, where He is; we have been seated with Christ in heavenly places (Eph. 2.6). But only those who recognize their unworthiness, who confess that all they deserve is wrath, and who plead earnestly for revival, mercy, and healing – only those will know the blessings that come with the comfort of God’s salvation

Reflect.
1. Do God’s people today need His reviving and comforting grace? Why? How should they seek it?

2. It’s pretty clear that God is not willing to overlook sins. How should this caution us? 

3. What can you do to keep from falling back into sins from which you have repented already?

Although he is holy, these people blaspheme his name with evil desires and deeds that are not honorable. He says, I am holy, and I rejoice with the holy as I sanctify them, stirring up their power and rousing them in their attitudes, providing they show themselves to be worthy and demonstrate their wills to be contrite and penitent. For to such I will grant eternal life. Theodore of Heraclea (died ca. 355 AD), Fragments on Isaiah

Let the comfort of Your salvation, and the healing of Your forgiveness, surround and sustain me today, O Lord, and I will…

Pray Psalm 19.

The Law and all the Word of God are given to us to reveal our sin and direct us in the paths of righteousness. They show us Jesus, Who brings us into the glory of God, both in His Word and in His world. Let this psalm guide you to meditate on the many benefits of God’s revelation from both sources.

Sing to the Lord.
Psalm 19 (St. Christopher: Beneath the Cross of Jesus)
The heav’ns declare God’s glory, the skies His work proclaim! 
From day to day and night by night they shout His glorious Name! 
No speech, no words, no voice is heard, yet all across the earth 
The lines of His all-present Word make known His holy worth. 

Behold, the sun arises, a bridegroom strong and bright, 
rejoicing as he runs his course from morning unto night. 
From east to west across the skies his circuit he completes, 
and none can hide their sinful eyes or shelter from his heat. 

The Law of God is perfect, His testimony sure; 
the simple man God’s wisdom learns, the soul receives its cure. 
God’s Word is right, and His command is pure, and truth imparts; 
He makes our eyes to understand; with joy He fills our hearts. 

The fear of God is cleansing, forever shall it last. 
His judgments all are true and just, by righteousness held fast. 
O seek them more than gold most fine, than honey find them sweet; 
Be warned by every word and line; be blessed with joy complete. 

Who, Lord, can know his errors? O keep sin far from me! 
Let evil rule not in my soul that I may blameless be. 
O let my thoughts, let all my words, before Your glorious sight 
Be pleasing to You, gracious Lord, acceptable and right!

T. M. Moore

Where do the prophets fit with the rest of Scripture? How can I be a better student of God’s Word? Our course, Introduction to Biblical Theology, can help you gain a better approach to and understanding of the Scriptures. Watch this brief preview video, then register at The Ailbe Seminary and enroll in this free online course.

Forward today’s lesson to some friends, and challenge them to study with you through this series on Isaiah. Each week’s lessons will be available as a free PDF download at the end of the week. Get a copy for yourself and send the link for the download to your friends. Plan to meet weekly to study Isaiah’s important message.


If you value Scriptorium as a free resource for your walk with the Lord, please consider supporting our work with your gifts and offerings. You can contribute to The Fellowship by clicking the Contribute button  at the website or by sending your gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, 19 Tyler Drive, Essex Junction, VT 05452.

T.M. Moore

T. M. Moore is principal of The Fellowship of Ailbe, a spiritual fellowship in the Celtic Christian tradition. He and his wife, Susie, make their home in the Champlain Valley of Vermont.
Books by T. M. Moore

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