Today’s papers give today’s news. Scant reporting of what is good and uplifting, but immeasurable space given over to all that makes the heart sick, namely violence, terrorism, hatred, genocide, sexual perversion, drugs, avarice, and hedonism.
But the Word of the Lord brings tomorrow’s news. And therefore we shall take a few minutes to read and consider God’s word to Isaiah in the 32nd chapter. It is both heart-warming and uplifting, something to look forward to. Written some 2,600 years ago, it stands firm. Recall Isaiah’s other prophecy about a virgin bearing a son called Emmanuel. That was fulfilled to the letter. So shall the words of chapter 32.
“Behold, a King shall reign in righteousness, and Princes shall govern with justice.”
What a breath of fresh air! For 2,000 years men have prayed “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, as in heaven, so on earth,” and at last it begins to happen. We are still awaiting His word of command, the sudden intervention in the world’s affairs, “Now I will rise” says the Lord. “Now I will be exalted.” (Isa.3310) But its certainty is as assured as the coming of Emmanuel to Mary the Virgin.
“Each will be like a hiding place from the wind, a shelter from the storm, like streams of water in a dry place, like the shade of a great rock in a weary land.”
Initially gales, storms, deserts, and weariness are picture language of what the world is like when the Kingdom starts. The Princes will provide adequate protection and sustenance, just as Jesus said, Come unto me, you who are weary, and I will give you rest.”
“Anyone who looks will see, anyone who listens will hear. The impulsive will make sound decisions, the tongue-tied will speak with eloquence.”
People will begin to take note of changes that are occurring, and react accordingly. Outward-looking attitudes will replace self-absorption.
“No more will fools become celebrities, nor crooks be rewarded with fame.”
Fools (vile people, charlatans) and crooks will have had their day. Now they are exposed for what they really are, and society will begin to denounce them, call for their removal from high office, and their voices will be heard by the Princes.
“But a noble person plans noble things; he stands up for noble causes.”
True nobility is at last rewarded. But this is not the work of a single day. Like the proverbial mustard seed, it starts here and there, where least expected, but grows rapidly as men come to realise the evidence of a Kingdom directed from Heaven, as it begins to replace faulty human government. Daniel saw the development of this Kingdom as he gazed down the corridors of time. (Daniel 7:27)
“The kingdom and the dominion and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High; his kingdom shall be an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.”
The “saints of the Most High” of Daniel’s prophecy become “the Princes” of Isaiah’s prophecy. But not all who call themselves by the name of the Lord will be granted governing positions in God’s Kingdom. The Apostle Paul put it this way –
“The saying is trustworthy, for: If we have died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him (this endurance) , he also will deny us (the privilege of reigning).” 2 Timothy 2:11.
