Isaiah 59 - Sin Separates, But the Lord Saves

LINK: Isaiah 59

BACKGROUND

Sin separates us from God. The actions of those who sin are like deadly poisonous snakes (vipers/adders, 59:5). As a result, they have no peace, walk in darkness and gloom like blind men, growl like bears, moan like doves, etc. You get the picture, and it is not pretty.

The Scarlet Thread of Redemption

Yet God has a plan for salvation. In fact, He is the only one who can save them (and us). Israel was not able to help herself. Neither can we.

God would act to rescue the nation from the Assyrians and Babylonians, and He would rescue His people from their sin. He would do that through the Messiah, Jesus.

Isaiah 59:20, 21 are quoted in Romans:

For I do not want you, brethren, to be uninformed of this mystery—so that you will not be wise in your own estimation—that a partial hardening has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in; and so all Israel will be saved; just as it is written, “The Deliverer will come from Zion, He will remove ungodliness from Jacob.” “This is My covenant with them, When I take away their sins.” (Romans 11:25-27)

REFLECTION and APPLICATION

Sin separates us from God, and that is not a good thing. That is why any vital prayer life needs to involve a thorough searching of our hearts for any unconfessed sin.

Search me, O God, and know my heart;  

Try me and know my anxious thoughts; 

And see if there be any hurtful way in me,  

And lead me in the everlasting way. 

(Psalm 139:23-24)

Do not forget to include confession in your prayer time today!

2023 Update: I find the Prayer of Examen so helpful for this. 

In the Examen, you start out with Thanksgiving. This helps you to have your focus on God and your gratefulness to him. Then, you look at moments of consolation - where you saw the light of God in your day and responded to Him. Then, you look at your desolations - where you have turned away from Him. God searches our hearts, but we have been looking at Him and who He really is: compassionate, loving, a giver of good gifts, and present in your day. Actually, Psalm 139 starts with praise and thanksgiving. Then, it gets into His searching our hearts for hurtful ways. Confession of sin is in the "bubble wrap" of a proper understanding of God's love! Who wouldn't want to be in a right relationship with this God?

PRAYER

Lord, we do not want to walk in darkness but in Your wonderful light. Search us and know our hearts today and lead us in the everlasting way. Thank You that we can stand on the promise that if we confess our sins, You are faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). We can stand on this because of the blood of Jesus, and it is in His name we pray. Amen.