THE LORD GOD WILL COMFORT US

PROCLAMATION

“I have seen their ways, but I will heal them; I will guide them and restore comfort to Israel’s mourners, creating praise on their lips.  Peace, peace, to those far and near, says The Lord.  And I will heal them.”  Isaiah 57:18-19 (NIV)

EXPLANATION
These are the words of The Lord God which were spoken to the people of Israel through the prophet Isaiah.  Chapter fifty-seven of The Bible Book of Isaiah begins by stating that the righteous die in order to be spared from evil, and so that they may find rest and God’s peace. (Isaiah 57:1-2)  Then He presents the abominable idolatries which were committed by the children of Israel. (Israel 57:3-13)  Afterwards He states that He punished them because of their behavior but that He would revive them, restore them, and comfort the mourners among them.

APPLICATION

The Lord God knows our sins and He has seen the suffering which we brought upon ourselves.  He said that He would heal us and our land if we would seek Him and turn from our wicked ways. (2 Chronicles 7:14)  He also said that He would guide us and comfort those of us who are mourners. (Isaiah 57:18)  We need to understand that death is a part of life and that people die for a reason. (Isaiah 57:1-2)  None of us came here to stay here forever.  When believers die, they transition from earthly labor to a heavenly reward. (1 Corinthians 3:8)  If they are absent from the body that means that they are present with The Lord. (2 Corinthians 5:6-8)  We may miss them and wish that they were still here with us, but that is us just being selfish because I am sure that no one wants to leave the presence of God and return to the suffering on earth.  We need to make sure that we will join them and be with Christ when our time comes.  That can only happen if we believe. (John 3:16, Acts 16:31, and Romans 10:9)