God Keeps His Own

Read Isaiah 41 & Isaiah 45
 
Isaiah 41:1-4 “Listen in silence before me, you lands beyond the sea. Bring your strongest arguments. Come now and speak. The court is ready for your case. 2 Who has stirred up this king from the east, rightly calling him to God's service? Who gives this man victory over many nations and permits him to trample their kings underfoot? With his sword, he reduces armies to dust. With his bow, he scatters them like chaff before the wind. 3 He chases them away and goes on safely, though he is walking over unfamiliar ground. 4 Who has done such mighty deeds, summoning each new generation from the beginning of time? It is I, the Lord, the First and the Last. I alone am he.” (New Living Translation)
 
THIS chapter begins a series of God’s affirmations and prophecies of his present and eternal care on Israel. Isaiah has been pointing to Israel’s exile to Babylon. Now God begins to tell Israel they will remain God’s own. These four verses summarize the chapter to point to Cyrus, King of Persia. He is the one from the East. And he is the one from the North in verse 25. Persia covered the entire Mid-East as we know it today from the Mediterranean Sea into Iran, from the Persian Gulf to Greece. Isaiah 45 is a more direct prophecy of Cyrus as God’s instrument to defeat Babylon. The LORD God raised up Cyrus to permit the Jews to return to Judah and Jerusalem. This is written in the books of the priest Ezra, the administrator Nehemiah and the prophet Zechariah.     
    Later in the chapter, God says he called Cyrus in righteousness. This is not because Cyrus was a righteous man. Instead, this is to say that Cyrus would complete God’s righteous plan to return “Jacob” (another name for Israel) to their home. Even as each nation would help each other stand against Cyrus, God’s will would be done.
    Then see God’s remarkable grace. Isaiah 41:9 “I took you from the ends of the earth, from its farthest corners I called you. I said, ‘You are my servant; I have chosen you and have not rejected you. 10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. 11 All who rage against you will surely be ashamed and disgraced; those who oppose you will be as nothing and perish…13 For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. 14 Do not be afraid, O worm Jacob, O little Israel, for I myself will help you,’ declares the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.”
    When God calls you, “Mine.” he is just and true to keep you as his own. He is your Holy Redeemer, who moves world history for your salvation. Out of your weakness, the Lord’s power will save you.
 
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.