“He will swallow up death for all time, and the Lord God will wipe tears away from all faces, and He will remove the reproach of His people from all the earth; for the Lord has spoken. And it will be said in that day, ‘Behold, this is our God for whom we have waited that He might save us. This is the Lord for whom we have waited; let us rejoice and be glad in His salvation.’” — Isaiah 25:8–9 (NASB95)
These verses are why many call the book of Isaiah “the Bible within the Bible.” Not only does it have 66 chapters that can be divided thematically into 39 and 27, just like the Bible, but most of the messages of Scripture can also be found in this one book. Here we have two verses that appear to come right out of the book of Revelation. But actually Isaiah wrote them first. In the midst of talking about earthly consequences coming upon the children of Israel and God moving the nations of the earth like chess pieces to perform His will, Isaiah has a large parenthetical statement about God’s grace and our eternal hope.
Despite the valleys we go through in life, we cannot allow them to touch our eternal assurances. Today, we might be living in the dark recesses of a valley of consequences, discipline, suffering or trial. Although very significant to our daily walk with God, they do not affect the eternal promises that we will one day be in Heaven where there are no more tears and no more suffering. Even today, as we live through the troubles of this life, we need to be absolutely certain of our eternal salvation. God is our Redeemer and Savior.
Today, close your eyes of sight and open your eyes of faith. Look past the valley you are living in to the Heavenly home God has prepared for you.
Peace!
Pastor Tom
www.firmlyrooted.church