Isaiah 54:9-17

Passage: Isaiah 54:9-17
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.
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.
11 "O afflicted one, storm-tossed and not comforted,
behold, I will set your stones in antimony,
and lay your foundations with sapphires.
12 I will make your pinnacles of agate,
your gates of carbuncles,
and all your wall of precious stones.
13 All your children shall be taught by the LORD,
and great shall be the peace of your children.
14 In righteousness you shall be established;
you shall be far from oppression, for you shall not fear;
and from terror, for it shall not come near you.
15 If anyone stirs up strife,
it is not from me;
whoever stirs up strife with you
shall fall because of you.
16 Behold, I have created the smith
who blows the fire of coals
and produces a weapon for its purpose.
I have also created the ravager to destroy;
17 no weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed,
and you shall confute every tongue that rises against you in judgment.
This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD
and their vindication from me, declares the LORD."

Journal: There is nothing that comes with a greater guarantee than a covenant proclaimed by God. He reminds Judah of the covenant that He made with Noah when He promised never to show His wrath again in the form of enveloping water. [v. 9a -- ". . . as I swore that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth . . ."] Here, He proclaims to Judah [as well as His children] that His compassionate love and peace will never leave His people regardless of the circumstance of the day. [v. 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."] That is, much like the waters of His wrath, His love and peace will envelope His people.

Further, not only will His love envelope His people in their human exile and struggle, but heaven awaits in all its glory, studded with brilliant gems. [v. 11-12 -- "O afflicted one, storm-tossed and not comforted, behold, I will set your stones in antimony, and lay your foundations with sapphires. I will make your pinnacles of agate, your gates of carbuncles, and all your wall of precious stones."] [See also Revelation 21.] The foundation of the peace of the redeemed child of God is laid by and in Christ. He is our great warrior, and in Him we cannot fail. [v. 17 -- "no weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed, and you shall confute every tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD and their vindication from me, declares the LORD."]