Isaiah: Be Our Arm

Isaiah 32-33

For many years, Lori and I took road trips from Pittsburgh, PA, to Oklahoma with our four kids twice a year to visit our extended families. The car rides were enjoyable but always long and exhausting—one thousand miles each way. However, being with family and sharing special moments made it worth our time and effort. The spiritual journey resembles these visits to Oklahoma. Christian author Max Lucado wrote, “God never said that the journey would be easy, but He did say that the arrival would be worthwhile.”

Followers of Jesus who remain renewed and refreshed live life with their focus on the destination. God speaks about how to follow him throughout the book of Isaiah. He guides his people in daily living, consistently reminding them of the incredible future that awaits in the coming kingdom where Jesus will rule. I refer to this future kingdom as the millennial kingdom; others call it the Messianic Age. Regardless of the term we use, here's what awaits the believer:

When the King reigns:

• There will finally be righteousness and justice. All things will be made right, and all things will be done with justice and fairness (Isa. 32:1).
• There will be protection. Isaiah describes this as a “shelter from the storm,” like “the shade of a great rock in a weary land” (Isa. 32:2).
• There will be clarity. We can see clearly, hear fully, speak distinctly, and understand completely (Isa. 32:3-4). There will be no obstacles to our ability to communicate!
• What is noble and right will rule the day. The “fool will no more be called noble, nor the scoundrel said to be honorable” (Isa. 32:5-8). A scoundrel is someone who uses a position for personal gain. We can agree that there are a few “scoundrels” who are honored today. But one day, what is right will prevail!

Isaiah envisions the future to inspire his listeners as they await the arrival of this new kingdom. However, in Isaiah 32:9, we return to the real-life journey, where circumstances are not as they should be. Judah lived in a world where right is wrong and wrong is right (Isa. 5:20). We do too.

In Judah, a class of women lived in ease and complacency, but Isaiah cautioned that “in little more than a year,” their lives would radically change. This warning should cause the women to “tremble” and “shudder” (Isa. 32:11) because Judah will be a “forsaken” and “deserted” place (Isa. 32:14). However, there will come a day when God remedies the disaster that has befallen Judah. Now we return to the time when the King will reign. Isaiah resumes the description of this glorious Kingdom:

• The Spirit of God will be poured out (Isa. 32:15a).
• The fields will be fruitful (Isa. 32:15b).
• Justice and righteousness under the King’s authority will rule the day (Isa. 32:16-17).
• The “effect of righteousness” will be peace (Isa. 32:17a).
• The “result of righteousness,” quietness, and trust forever (Isa. 32:17b).
• There will be peace, security, and rest (Isa. 32:18-19).

Isaiah 33 introduces the sixth and final “woe” in this section. This chapter describes a “destroyer” coming to attack Judah. Many commentators believe that the logical historical context is Sennacherib’s final attack on Jerusalem (2 Kgs. 18:13-16). Hezekiah leads the people in repentance, and Isaiah records God’s response.[1] God has been telling Judah to wait for him; they finally recognize their need.

Isaiah 33:2
O Lord, be gracious to us; we wait for you. Be our arm every morning, our salvation in the time of trouble.

Judah acknowledges that God is in control and is the only One who can deliver them. He is their sole source of stability and salvation. The people of Judah confess, “the fear of the LORD is Zion’s treasure” (Isa. 33:6).

The Assyrian king, Sennacherib, has caused significant damage (Isa. 33:7-9). Therefore, it is time for God to intervene.

Isaiah 33:10
“Now I will arise,” says the Lord, “now I will lift myself up; now I will be exalted.”

God will destroy the enemies of Judah “like thorns cut down, that are burned in the fire” (Isa. 33:12). God’s work will cause the godless to finally fear him. They will say with trembling voices, “Who among us can dwell with the consuming fire?” (Isa. 33:14). But those who follow God will be protected. Their “eyes will behold the king in his beauty” (Isa. 33:17).

The Lord will deliver Jerusalem and bring peace to his people from the chaos.

Isaiah 33:20-22
Behold Zion, the city of our appointed feasts! Your eyes will see Jerusalem, an untroubled habitation, an immovable tent, whose stakes will never be plucked up, nor will any of its cords be broken. But there the Lord in majesty will be for us . . . For the LORD is our judge; the LORD is our lawgiver; the LORD is our king; he will save us.

Finally, Judah turned to God. Unfortunately, like us, they will turn away again. And, like us, they will need to renew their prayer of repentance. But for this day we celebrate because the “Lord in majesty will be for us”!

Our Anchor Point is Isaiah 33:2:

Isaiah 33:2
O Lord, be gracious to us; we wait for you. Be our arm every morning, our salvation in the time of trouble.

What a great prayer for the believer! God’s “arm” is the sign of his mighty strength; we need that strength every morning. We tend to run ahead with our plans, but this serves as a reminder to wait on God. We need his “salvation in the time of trouble.” He is the only One who can deliver us, and we are in desperate need of his grace each day. He walks with us, holds our hand, and guides us with his counsel. One day he will receive us into glory (Ps. 73:23-24). God never said the journey would be easy. But… one day… it will all be eternally worthwhile.

PERSONAL TIME WITH GOD
Time in the Word: Read and reflect on Isaiah 32-33, focusing on our Anchor Point: Isaiah 33:2. Reflect on God’s grace, love, and power to be your salvation in times of trouble.

Talking to God: Thank God for what you learn about him in Isaiah 33. He is the exalted God who walks with us every step of the journey, and with his grace, love, and power, delivers us safely home.

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Every day is a day of spiritual renewal as we follow hard after Jesus.