December 2 | Isaiah 59:16-21

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DAILY READING

Isaiah 59:16-21

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REFLECTION

Our Redeemer

By Pam Mann

As we read a rich passage like this one from Isaiah 59, it’s easy to understand why Isaiah is the Old Testament book that New Testament writers quoted most. Earlier in chapter 59, Isaiah lists many of the ways that humanity is lost in depravity. It’s grim. On our own, our situation is hopeless. No one among us can take us from death to life.

God knows we need a Savior. No human effort can manage it. God Himself must reach out to rescue humanity. Thanks be to God that Jesus, God Incarnate, reaches out His arms upon a cross to achieve our rescue.

He Himself is the mighty Warrior who bridges the gap for us. Isaiah details His attire for the dramatic rescue: breastplate of righteousness, helmet of salvation, garments of vengeance, and cloak of zeal! No wonder Paul in Ephesians 6 employs these same phrases for how the believer is outfitted in Christ for spiritual warfare. Sin, death, and the

power of the devil have met their match in the wonderworking, powerful blood of Jesus.

The price for our ransom has been paid. Though we have been faithless, the Lord God is faithful to His covenant with His people. Don’t you love the comprehensive eternal nature of God’s pronouncement over us in Isaiah 59:21?

 “As for me, this is my covenant with them,” says the Lord. “My Spirit, who is on you, will not depart from you, and my words that I have put in your mouth will always be on your lips, on the lips of your children and on the lips of their descendants—from this time on and forever,” says the Lord.

• God’s Spirit is on us and will NOT depart from us.

• God’s words are in our mouths and will ALWAYS be on our lips.

• Not just on our lips, but also on the lips of our children and also on the lips of their children.

• Is this a limited time offer? No way. God’s covenant is with us from this time on and forever.

  
  

No thanks to our performance. Not one of us could save ourselves. We desperately need

a Savior, One whom God Himself determined to provide before time began, One who alone is sufficient beyond when time ends.

God lays Himself down to bring us from death and destruction to new life and a future in Christ. He is our only hope. No other can stand in the gap for us. Jesus is our Redeemer, our forever path to life with God.

PRAYER

Thank you, Jesus, our mighty Warrior, for redeeming us when nothing and no one else could. Thank you for laying down Your life as our bridge into sweet fellowship with You.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

PAM MANN

I first joined UALC when my husband (then my fiancé) and I were college students involved in youth ministry. God has used UALC to nurture our family’s faith, even in our years outside the U.S. I’ve participated in UALC ministries with kids, art, prayer, exercise, ESL, and Bible teaching. I do all the fun church things.