“Turn to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth; for I am God and there is no other. By myself I have sworn, my mouth has uttered in all integrity a word that will not be revoked: before me every knee will bow; by me every tongue will swear. They will say of me, ‘In the LORD alone are righteousness and strength.’”
All who have raged against him will come to him and be put to shame. But in the LORD all the descendants of Israel will be found righteous and exult.
Isaiah 45.22-25.
Yesterday we focussed on the gracious invitation with which this passage of Scripture begins and how it should motivate and drive us to share such good news. The urgency of such proclamation is further driven home today as we read of the absolute final outcome of God’s eternal plans in that every knee will bow before him.
Looking around at our broken world it seems at first sight an unlikely scenario but pause and consider what God says here.
By myself I have sworn. (cf. Genesis 22.16) That is the absolute oath for there is none greater, none higher, no greater authority on which an oath can be made. Such an oath must therefore be sure and certain and must come to pass.
The oath is uttered in all integrity for there is no other truth (in spite of what modern man has decreed – that there is your truth and my truth) and it is therefore a word that will not be revoked. A word that will come to pass
Focus again on the end to which this is leading. Before me every knee will bow; before me every tongue will swear. What a prospect! What a promise! A promise that should spur us on to love and good deeds (Hebrews 10.24). Love for our fellow men and actions that will enable them to see Christ.
Further, be encouraged that in the midst of trouble there is the sure and certain hope of a glorious future. For
‘God exalted Jesus to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every name should bow…’ Philippians 2.9-10
Therefore step out in complete confidence in the light of what God has done and the prospect of all ultimately bowing to him.
The last part of the passage above speaks of the other side of the coin as it were and we will reflect on that tomorrow and how that too should motivate us to action.