A Covenant of Peace
5/22/26 Bible Thought (Isaiah 54-55)
Main Idea: God promises a future of peace available to all who will seek Him.
A Look at the Text:
As Isaiah continues to look to the future, we see the fruits of the Servant’s work from the previous chapter. There is great benefit both to Israel and the whole world.
Israel is reminded that their Maker is also like a faithful husband to them, that the Holy One is likewise their Redeemer (Isa. 54:5). Though they stood under His judgment for a time, the future was to be filled with “everlasting love” (Isa. 54:8)
Climaxing this, the Lord tells that even though mountains may be moved, His steadfast love and His covenant of peace would not depart from His people (Isa. 54:10).
Though the present was a tumultuous time for them, there was coming a day of eternal prosperity and perfect peace for Zion (Isa. 54:11-17).
This promised peace was an open invitation. Anyone who was thirsty could come to the waters and drink. They could buy and eat, even without money! (Isa. 55:1). Money wasn’t an issue at all. Why? Because, as scholar, David Jackman concludes, “the price has already been paid.”[1]
The benefits of Christ’s saving work will go to all people, to all who would “Seek the Lord while he may be found” (Isa. 55:6).
His invitation of mercy might seem too good to be true, but His ways are not like human ways (Isa. 55:8-9). He would be sure to keep His Word (Isa. 55:11).
Bringing it Home:
The testimony of Scripture again and again is that of a covenant-keeping, faithful God who will fulfill all of His promises.
In light of the Servant’s work, we see that there is now hope for the future. There is still a day on the horizon when the heavenly Jerusalem will come down from heaven (Rev. 21:2). A day of eternal peace and prosperity. A day in which we can hope, when we will enjoy everlasting bliss in a new creation in which righteousness dwells (2 Pet. 3:13).
At present, it might seem far off as we live in a broken world that is stained by sin. But let us remember the nature of the One who made these promises. He is a God who always keeps His Word. Just as the rain comes for a definite purpose (Isa. 55:10), so it is with His Word:
“so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it” (Isa. 55:11).
Isaiah’s vision still awaits a future time. But just as God promised then, He promises now, and we can rest assured that He always keeps His promise.
Challenge:
Do I ever struggle to take God at His Word?
[1] David Jackman, Teaching Isaiah: Unlocking Isaiah for the Bible Teacher, ed. Robin Sydserff, Teach the Bible (Ross-shire, Scotland; London, England: PT Media; Christian Focus, 2010), 235.
I love your posts. They always are exactly what I need each day. A covenant of Peace. To choose to take God for His word and that He is a promise keeper.