2/15/17
“For the Lord is our judge; the Lord is our lawgiver; the
Lord is our king; he will save us.” Isaiah 33:22
Dear Congregation,
A few weeks
ago, this verse was a brief end cap to my sermon on this chapter. However, it
was pointed out to me that this one verse contains so much theological meat and
strength, that more time should be devoted to it. You remember the context is
the future righteous reign of Christ and His glorious kingdom. While the full
earthly extent of this verse will be the reality in that day, it nevertheless
is true now. That current relevant truth is something we should meditate on and
rejoice over.
First, the
Lord is our judge. We have all heard it said in a flippant casual tone “only
God can judge me” as if that exempts a person from any wrong doing or
correction whatsoever. The person who truly understands himself and his God
knows that if God were indeed to cast judgment it would be no pleasant
circumstance. When human beings are judged on their own they are always found
guilty. Who among us is so puffed up that he or she can boast of always being
right. In that day, true justice will always be served. Corruption and false
witness will have no place and only God’s perfect discernment will be brought
to bear. Praise God that the Christian will never be judged by his or her own
deeds! In Christ we are judged according to His perfect righteousness. Our name
is graven on His hands and we are made innocent by the free grace of God!
The Lord is our lawgiver. This is
always true. We are called to remember that there is no law without God’s law.
God is eternally the only authority who can decree for all mankind regardless
of culture, nation, or creed. All just law must be based on God’s law otherwise
it comes from the authority of men and is therefore relative and adaptable to
the whims of men and women. Though now there are immoral and unjust laws, though
now evil is called good and good evil, in that day all will be consistent with
the heavenly father’s righteousness and goodness. Praise God for Christ who
kept God’s law perfectly so that we, who cannot, never had to! Praise God that
the lawgiver sent a perfect spotless lamb as the atoning sacrifice for all who
believe. Praise God that the Christian does not have to fear the lawgiver, but
in Christ may find the law and its master a true friend and beloved father.
The Lord is our king; He will save
us. If you know the Lord Jesus, He must be your king. Christianity is not fire
insurance but a new life born from on high. It carries new perspectives, new
loves, new ideals, new goals all under obedience to Christ. Praise God that you
have a king who knows you intimately and loves you wholly! Praise God that you
may count upon him to save you to the uttermost. There is no real threat that
can ever defeat your king and likewise there is no real threat that can ever
defeat you if you are in Him. To walk with your king is a blessed privilege and
comfort. To know your salvation and be assured of it is beyond imagination.
Take comfort from this verse and rejoice in your Savior. We, the people of God are
precious in His sight. May His preciousness and Glory comfort us and carry us
through all our days and trials. Amen.
In Christ,
Pastor Basile
