Made to Hear and See God (Isaiah 64:4)
From of old no one has heard or perceived by the ear, no eye has seen a God besides you, who acts for those who wait for him. —Isaiah 64:4
God commissioned Isaiah to take His Word to His chosen people. It was a message of warning to the people who had grown cold toward God—their ears did not understand, their eyes did not perceive, their hearts were dull. In Isaiah 64:1-3, Isaiah pleaded with God to show Himself in power. He wanted Yahweh to reveal Himself to a world of adversaries as He once did in previous ages, so that His people would know and understand that there is no god like Him.
The situation was desperate for God’s people to remember that He is not like the gods they were worshiping—the man-made gods of this world that have eyes that cannot see, ears that cannot hear, noses that cannot smell, mouths that cannot speak, and mass that cannot move or act on their behalf (Psalm 115). The people of God had forsaken the living God and had forgotten His glory and might and the wonders He had done for them.
God's Glory
There are countless examples in Scripture of God revealing Himself to His people. From the flood to the ram in the thicket, from the burning bush to the plagues of Egypt, from the pillar of fire to the parting of the Red Sea, from the tablets of the law to the ark of the covenant, from David’s throne to the building of the temple, God revealed Himself to His people. But Isaiah’s generation was intimidated and beaten down by their adversaries. They had stopped fighting the fight of faith and had become apathetic toward God. It is at this moment that God raised up Isaiah and showed him the true reality of His glory. Isaiah said, “I saw the LORD sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple” (Isaiah 6:1).
Our God is sovereign. He is to be worshiped in reverential fear for He is the creator of all things. He made us with ears to hear, eyes to see, noses to smell, mouths to speak, and minds to think. All these are gateways to our heart—created to receive Him, to actively wait on Him in prayer, and to be used to worship, witness, and work. Oh how patient and kind God is with us! He has shown us His love, power, and glory. Do you see? Do you hear?
Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. (Hebrews 1:1-2)
God’s Wonders
Isaiah prophesied with limited understanding of how God’s Word would be fulfilled. Could he have known the depth of what was meant by Isaiah 53? We live on the other side of the fulfillment of all the prophecies of the Messiah’s first coming, when the Word of God became flesh. What wondrous deeds of God!
We who have placed our faith in Christ have become joint heirs of the promises of God. Jesus came to bring us to the Father by bearing God's wrath against us in His own body. He paid our sin debt by dying on a cross. He rose from the dead, ascended to His heavenly throne, and sent the Holy Spirit to help us until He returns. We have the promises; God will do it!
Are you longing for His appearing? Isaiah longed for Israel to wake from their deadly sleep, to turn and wait for the Lord with expectation. He is the God who acts on behalf of His people. Today, let us hear this call to our hearts as well, to be His people who wait for His return, who love His appearing, who are running the race, contending for the faith, and worshiping our coming King. At the end of our lives, may we be able to joyfully say with the apostle Paul:
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing. (2 Timothy 4:7-8)
For Reflection
Jesus promised that He will return and take us to be with Him. How does this truth change your heart’s affections toward your plans, future goals, and life choices?
How might love for His appearing be expressed to the children in your life? The next generation needs to hear about our great God who acts on behalf of His people. Are you willing to serve Him in this mission?
Ask God to show you how you might impact the next generation for Christ’s Kingdom. Tell others in your church about your desire and ask them to pray with you.
Betty Dodge is wife to Rick, a mom to adult children, and grandmother to seven. She is a Bible teacher for women and children. One of Betty's greatest joys is seeing God working in believers as they learn His Word and grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ.
