Mighty to Save: Isaiah 63, 64(6)

Pray Psalm 102.1, 2.
Hear my prayer, O LORD,
And let my cry come to You.
Do not hide Your face from me in the day of my trouble;
Incline Your ear to me;
In the day that I call, answer me speedily.

Read Isaiah 64.6-12

Reflect.
1. How does Isaiah describe himself and the people of Judah and Jerusalem? Do you feel comfortable describing yourself that way? 

2. What does Isaiah want God to do?

Meditate.
Isaiah says he and his people are unclean, like a filthy rag; they are a dead and withered leaf, full of iniquities and blown about by the wind. No one is seeking the Lord; no one stretches out his hand to lay hold on Him (vv. 6, 7). Because of this, God has hidden His face from the people, and allowed them to be consumed by their sins (v. 7).

It is important to note that Isaiah includes himself in this mess. One of the problems growing in today’s churches is that we don’t think of ourselves like this. We say, “God knows me, and He loves me as I am.” We think God doesn’t make a big deal out of sin, so neither do we.

But we are wrong if we think this way.

God’s hiding His face from His people means several things. His Spirit is no longer strong among them (Ezek. 39.29). His Word is no longer powerful among them (Ps. 119.135). The strength of the Lord is gone from among them (Ps. 105.4), and they are ensnared by trouble on every hand (Ps. 104.29, 30). The grace of the Lord has abandoned them to the consequences of their sin (Num. 6.22-27), and they are about to be devoured by their enemies (Deut. 31.17, 18).

But Isaiah does not give up on God. He calls on God, Who created His people (v. 8), to turn away His fury, look upon Israel’s desolation, remove their afflictions, and return them to His peace (vv. 9-12). He is praying, that is, for God to revive His people, to renew His covenant and their prowess, so that the nations may be awakened to the great salvation of the Lord.

As we shall see, the Lord responds to such prayer, eagerly, graciously, gloriously, and far beyond our expectations.

Prepare.
1. What conditions in the Church today suggest that, like Isaiah, we should be seeking the Lord for revival?

2. From what we see in Isaiah’s prayer, what would be the key elements to include when praying for revival?

3. When we pray for revival, what are we seeking? That is, what do we want God to do? What will tell us that He has begun to answer our prayers?

The Lord will therefore restrain his chastisements; for his glory, which he cannot disregard, is deeply involved in our deliverance from death. To this prayer, therefore, let us betake ourselves whenever we are attacked by our enemies; not in the manner of hypocrites, (who haughtily boast of the glory of God, of which they have no experience whatever,) but with repentance and faith, that we may actually obtain the fruit of that glory. John Calvin (1509-1564), Commentary on Isaiah 64.12

Revive me today, O Lord, so that I…

Pray Psalm 102.
The psalmist recognizes how frail and far from God he is. Let this psalm lead you to repentance and in seeking the Lord for revival and renewal.

Sing to the Lord.
Psalm 102 (Leominster: Not What My Hands Have Done)
Lord, hear my prayer and cry; hide not Your face from me!
In my distress and tears I sigh – Lord, hear my earnest plea!
My days like smoke blow past; my bones are scorched with sin.
My heart, like wilted, withered grass bends low to earth again.

With loudest groans and cries, and leanness in my soul,
no shelt’ring place arrests my eyes, no rest to make me whole.
My enemies grow strong; I weep with bitter tears;
my days are like a shadow, long; God’s face is no more near.

But You, O Lord, abide forever in Your place.
Arise and stand on Zion’s side and lavish us with grace!
Revive Your Church, O Lord!  Let all her dust and stones
be strengthened by Your mighty Word, and compact be as one.

Then let the nations fear the glory of the Lord!
For He shall in His Church appear to heed our sighing words.
Then let our children learn to praise the Lord above.
He hears their groans and knows they yearn to dwell within His love.

Yet let us tell God’s Name and praise His glorious grace;
let all as one His love proclaim together in this place. 
Though now our strength is low; though shortened grow our days,
our God will not forsake us so, but keep us in His ways!

Of old You made the earth and heavens by Your hand.
Though they shall perish You endure; forever shall You stand.
They change, yet You remain the same, without an end. 
Our children shall Your favor gain, and theirs shall be Your friend.

T. M. Moore

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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.

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006).All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter (available by clicking here).