Surety of Compassion

Reading:

Isaiah 62:1–5 “For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not be quiet, until her righteousness goes forth as brightness, and her salvation as a burning torch. The nations shall see your righteousness, and all the kings your glory, and you shall be called by a new name that the mouth of the Lord will give. You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God. You shall no more be termed Forsaken, and your land shall no more be termed Desolate, but you shall be called My Delight Is in Her, and your land Married; for the Lord delights in you, and your land shall be married. For as a young man marries a young woman, so shall your sons marry you, and as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you.”

Introduction:

Compassion can not be directed towards self.

Compassion always has one who receives and one who gives.

When we show compassion towards others what is it that we are trying to achieve?

We are looking to show a message of care, and love.

Because God is Love there is always compassion that we receive from Him.

That isn’t usually what we think is happening when our life meets adversity or conflict.

We can read all through the bible and find those who didn’t see God’s compassion in their lives.

They didn’t have the scriptures as we do.

They didn’t have what we hold for a road map to our faith!

I often overlook the simple fact that the Bible was written over a long time period; arranged and put together around 311 A.D.

It wasn’t written all at once then published as a full manuscript by the author.

The Bible we hold was a work by our Lord, in arrangement from individuals recording all that the Lord deemed necessary for the correct doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness (II Timothy 3:16). Those in the Old Testament did not have the privilege of Jesus’ life testimony; or the last supper, death, and the resurrection power.

They did’t have the testimonies of truth like we do.

Testimonies like:

John 3:16 ““For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”

God, Gave, Eternal Life (He gives eternal life).

Those who can receive His compassion are each and every soul.

In Isaiah 54 we can hear of His compassion.

We can read of the Lord’s compassion towards humanity.

There are a lot of things in life which can bring out fear in us!

Stresses, responsibilities, decisions, obligations, etc...

God teaches us to:

Fear Not. (4-5)

Isaiah 54:4–5 ““Fear not, for you will not be ashamed; be not confounded, for you will not be disgraced; for you will forget the shame of your youth, and the reproach of your widowhood you will remember no more. For your Maker is your husband, the Lord of hosts is his name; and the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer, the God of the whole earth he is called.”

We can remember and believe that in Christ we can have

No Shame

I am willing to bet, that every single person sitting here have some regrets.

Choices made that we shouldn’t have.

People we allowed to influence us in a bad way.

Maybe career paths that were necessary instead of joyful.

Maybe even things you are greatly ashamed of.

Isaiah 54:4 ““Fear not, for you will not be ashamed; be not confounded, for you will not be disgraced; for you will forget the shame of your youth, and the reproach of your widowhood you will remember no more.”

No matter the shame accumulated; Christ provides the removal of shame.

You are no longer condemned thanks be to Christ!

Here in the O.T. they were given a carrot in front of their nose: The removal of shame as a cause from being encouraged to fear not!

Through this there was:

No Disgrace

If the Lord decides to remember your sins and shame no more:

Why do you?

Why do you let others?

Here is a life truth to remember:

When other people dictate how you feel or think, your giving them control over you!

Christ allows us the power and freedom to choose our attitudes and keep ourselves under control.

Isaiah 54:5 “For your Maker is your husband, the Lord of hosts is his name; and the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer, the God of the whole earth he is called.”

The Lord:

He is yours

He’s your maker!

He is your Lord!

That title: The Lord

The Holy on of Israel!

Israel was well known and feared, because of the mighty hand of God.

He is the perfect one; no second - Just Him!

That is your redeemer!

The God with all authority and power.

So it isn’t entirely outlandish to know and:

Be Certain

Isaiah 54:6 “For the Lord has called you like a wife deserted and grieved in spirit, like a wife of youth when she is cast off, says your God.”

The creator God - Wanted and desired you!

Transition:

But this doesn’t mean you won’t have

Spiritual Struggles

Isaiah 54:6 “For the Lord has called you like a wife deserted and grieved in spirit, like a wife of youth when she is cast off, says your God.”

The wife in verse :6 really correlates with us doesn’t it?

Deserted. (lost in sin)

Forsaken on account of an offence. (Separated from Holiness)

Grieved in Spirit.

No one can torture someone better than themselves.

How many times have you laid awake, re-playing a previous choice which was shameful or a disgraceful,

Here is where the one in the muck and mire of sin is called by God - To help recognize the reality of

Physical separation

That wife was spiritually cast out; yet she also had been physically removed from the presence!

The position of all called by God

Spiritual disconnect

Physical banishment

He still makes:

His Proclamation (7-10)

He proclaims

The Separation (7-8)

Isaiah 54:7 “For a brief moment I deserted you, but with great compassion I will gather you.”

Their is a briefness to the Lord’s desert-ment

In light of eternity and the Lord’s plan.

On the timeline: being separated from God doesn’t have to be that long.

Thinking of Christ’s work = It was brief!

How could the Lord re-unite us to himself?

With His compassion!

His compassion is what makes our reconciliation possible!

The reality of sin in the presence of perfection.

Isaiah 54:8 “In overflowing anger for a moment I hid my face from you, but with everlasting love I will have compassion on you,” says the Lord, your Redeemer.”

Everlasting love! - Forever.

He provides:

The Promise (9)

Isaiah 54:9 ““This is like the days of Noah to me: as I swore that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth, so I have sworn that I will not be angry with you, and will not rebuke you.”

The rainbow is the promise to never flood the whole Earth again!

To Humanity:

He swears to not be angry,

and offers the removal of rebuke!

He promises to care

With the promise He continues doing so!

The Lord promises to offer forgiveness and a relationship with those who don’t deserve it!

and we get finality of:

His Word (10)

Isaiah 54:10 “For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you.”

Even though creation will change and fall, His promise will stand!

There will always be the option of peace between God and Man.

No one can remove it or change it.

His compassion is sure!

Conclusion:

The Holy creator, God almighty, Lord of all gives us the opportunity to rise above our shame and because of it:

He is ours and we can:

Fear Not!

Be certain of your salvation

Don’t question it

But know you will endure struggles.

Transition:

Sometimes you may seem physically separated from God; but remember:

His proclamation!

You’re separation is brief.

When He forgives you:

It is finished forever.

No one and nothing can remove that peace between you and God.

Pray!