Good News

Read Isaiah 54  
 
Isaiah 54:1-3 “Sing, O barren woman, you who never bore a child; burst into song, shout for joy, you who were never in labor; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband,” says the Lord. 2 “Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes. 3 For you will spread out to the right and to the left; your descendants will dispossess nations and settle in their desolate cities.”
 
ISAIAH 54 is good news! The suffering is done. Something new and wonderful will happen throughout the world.
   Isn’t this the gospel? After Jesus’ suffering came the gradual, then sudden and glorious, realization that he is alive! The Lord on his ascension commissioned his disciples to build his church. The Spirit came in power. Joy entered the disciples’ souls. Luke 24:52 Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy.
   Who on earth expected such a thing? The burden of sin’s captivity was overwhelming the world. But then the Messiah suffered, died and rose again. Out of the empty tomb came a worldwide covering of salvation.
   Think of what has happened. The disciples’ first work has spread out to the right and to the left; The church has transformed the world. The disciples’ descendants will dispossess nations and settle in their desolate cities. The church is everywhere.
    Yes, it is persecuted, ignored, chastised and ridiculed. But know the LORD has declared here and in many scriptures his church is the only true place of safety, goodness, love, mercy, grace and salvation. Remember, “the gates of Hades will not overcome it.” (Matthew 16:18b)
   What is the church to be? The remaining verses of Isaiah 54 give us God’s vision and promise. We are alive, born again out of sin’s barren womb into the glorious family of God’s Kingdom on earth. The Father, Son and Spirit watch over us, promising us eternal safety and joy: Isaiah 54:5 For your Maker is your husband – the Lord Almighty is his name –  the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; he is called the God of all the earth. Know God reigns: Isaiah 54: 10 Though the mountains be shaken, and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed," says the Lord, who has compassion on you.
   This chapter is a beautiful assurance God will act to overcome our sin nature, so he can welcome us into his presence. We can confidently offer this to all because the Lord has declared it, and the LORD has done it.
 
Romans 1:15 That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are at Rome. 16 I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.