Hope for All

During my study of the book of Isaiah I have come to a realisation:  there is always hope for individuals in God, even if a nation is "off the rails."  A day came when the northern kingdom of Israel fell and was never rebuilt.  Because Israel rebelled from God, committed abomination, and refused to return, God put the northern kingdom away.  He even allowed Jerusalem to fall at the hands of the Babylonians and temporarily caused Judah to go into captivity.  The seventy years of separation not only worked to purify the land of sin, but to restore a remnant to Himself who would return and remain faithful to Him.  Even in a land riddled with idolatry and abominations, God reserves for Himself loyal people who love Him.

Because the people in Jerusalem refused to repent and return to the LORD, ultimately the LORD caused it to fall at the hands of their enemies.  From a wordly vantage point it seems in times of judgment the righteous are made to suffer with the wicked.  But from a spiritual perspective we see those who trust in the LORD find strength and comfort in Him in spite of pain and loss.  For all our pain God provides abundant consolation (2 Cor. 1:3-7).  God proclaimed in Isaiah 45:22, "Look to Me, and be saved, all you ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other."  Even when a nation is far from God, God promises to draw near to all individuals who call to Him in Psalm 145:18:  "The LORD is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth."  God shows no favouritism when it comes to love, forgiveness, divine acceptance, and salvation as we read in Romans 10:12-13, "For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. ¹³ For 'whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.'"

We do not serve a "what have you done for me lately" God but a God who looks for opportunities to to show Himself strong on behalf of all those whose hearts are loyal and full of Him (2 Chron. 16:9).  This principle, that there is always assurance of salvation and deliverance for the person who trusts and calls to God, rings true in nations ruined by sin, corrupt governments, failed businesses, fractured churches, and broken families.  Organisations may fall apart, marriages might dissolve, and relationships between parents and children may be severed, and physical health be abysmal, but there is salvation for whoever calls upon the name of the LORD.  Your life may seem to be painfully torn into pieces, but there is safety, protection, healing, and wholeness for all - for you - if you will call upon the name of Jesus Christ.

The grim reality is most of the time we do not believe this.  We carefully devise our escape routes, scheme backup and contingency plans, and forget by worrying we cannot accomplish a thing.  Even if we have a perfect plan, it does not mean we have the power or ability to put it into practice - much less change the hearts or minds of others!  Listen:  look to God and be saved!  There is no bondage too great, sin too abhorrent, generational curse so powerful the blood of Jesus cannot cleanse and redeem.  No host of demons can overpower Jesus, no prognosis is so awful God is hamstrung, and no situation so convoluted God is confused or overwhelmed.  God is rich over all who call upon Him, so call upon the name of the LORD in faith and be saved.  There is hope in Christ this world cannot know, an absolute assurance based upon the Word of God which is eternal and will never pass away, that Jesus is a Saviour who loves you and will never leave or forsake you.

There is no genuine hope for anyone from this world, but there is hope for all who love God.  Look to Jesus and call upon Him fervently with expectancy.  Do not be impatient or weary in doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we faint not (Gal. 6:9).  Those who endure to the end will be saved.