Isaiah 54: Vindication
Saturday, November 26, 2022
Enlarge the place of your tent; stretch out the curtains of your dwellings, spare not; lengthen your cords and strengthen your pegs. For you will spread abroad to the right and to the left. And your descendants will possess nations and will resettle the desolate cities.
With this beautiful image of a heart that is willing to expand as it meets its creator, Isaiah asks us to contemplate the enormity, eternity, and healing power of God’s love for us.
We can define vindication using the Oxford languages dictionary: 1) the action of clearing someone of blame or suspicion, 2) proof that someone or something is right, reasonable, or justified.
We read these words and realize that we may not have allowed ourselves to be defended by God when we see those who work against us fail at their unhealthy schemes. In our effort to wipe any thought of revenge from our minds, we have missed out on the gift of God’s affirming action. This is something to think about.
We are always hearing words of comfort from our God. Fear not, you shall not be put to shame. (Verse 4) In justice shall you be established, far from the fear of oppression, where destruction cannot come near you. (Verse 14) No weapon fashioned against you shall prevail; every tongue you shall prove false that launches an accusation against you. This is the lot of the servant of the Lord. (Verse 17)
We pause over verses 7 & 8: For a brief moment I abandoned you, but with great tenderness I will take you back. In a burst of wrath, for a moment I hid my face from you; but with enduring love I take pity on you, says the Lord your redeemer. We reflect on how Yahweh is so often described as a jealous God, wanting our full and total dedication to his truth. We also recall the prophecy of Hosea when he cries in anguish over his wife’s infidelity and lack of respect for herself and others. We understand the burst of wrath, the hidden face and also the tenderness of true love which endures all things without accepting abuse.
We spend time meditating on verse 10: Though the mountains leave their place and the hills be shaken, my love shall never leave you nor my covenant of peace be shaken, says the Lord who has mercy on you.
God is good. God keeps promises even when we do not. When we have stood to affirm God’s goodness with full-throated song we must allow ourselves to be vindicated. For this vindication is a hymn of praise to God and his wondrous, awesome power.
Adapted from a reflection written on November 27, 2008.
Images from: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/332210909983710869/
The Noontimes 
We should never doubt the promises of God, like we do the promises of politicians, because His promises never fail, and theirs often do….
LikeLike
Agreed. God always keeps promises, even when – perhaps especially when – they seem most impossible, Thank you for stopping by The Noontimes. Peace.
LikeLike
Sarah, thank you for your comment! It does not matter if the promises of God seem sometimes impossible, because what is impossible for us, is possible for him…. Everything is possible WITH God, not just for him… Shalom!
LikeLike