God was looking for someone to bear witness of the Lord to a Jewish people who would “Keep on looking, but do not understand” (Isaiah 6:9). That person will speak and the hearers will not respond. How would you like such a job, knowing people will be upset over your words, or just uncaring? You would throw out all your maxims and formulas for “success;” they won’t work. God has set the course of Israel. Judgment is coming no matter what.
You won’t be able to rely on your hearers’ feedback to find your identity. No “Like” votes will strengthen your heart. Other speakers will always enjoy more popularity than you will.
But you speak and write because the Lord has called you to do so. You focus your attention on the minority who will go through the judgment period with the rest of the nation, those who will become the holy ones who remain (Isaiah 6:13). You don’t know who will be in this remnant, so you make every word count. Whatever word the Lord gives, you put it out there for the hungry ones to eat.
Judgment is coming upon them because of sin, so your word will point the people to faith and repentance to God. Among the people are those who will be hungry to hear, “I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you” (41:10). The only happy messages are for the obedient ones and their future with the High and Lofty One who dwells with the humble and contrite ones (57:15).
Their only hope is not in the land, their homes, or their treasured possessions. Their possessions will be burned up. The people will be dragged from the land by a harsh nation. Their only hope is to wait on the Everlasting Lord, and He will sustain them. They will rise up on eagle’s wings. (40:29-31). They will be strengthened against the calamity to come.
If they seek the Holy One, the Creator of Israel, their King (43:15), they will find Him. If they repent, God will abundantly pardon (55:6-7). If they cast away their idols and let God be their only Redeemer, He will wipe out their transgressions and will not remember their sins (43:24-25).
Isaiah is a good example to the Lord’s faithful servants today who continue to encourage the churches and one another. Give them what the Lord gives you. Keep waiting on Him for your hope and reward. Look to Him, and He who promised will sustain you. Keep proclaiming His message, for He will build His church, and the gates of Hades will not overpower it (Matthew 16:18).
