His Hand is Outstretched Still

Isaiah 9:12b - For all this His anger is not turned away, but His hand is stretched out still.

Just as Israel in the Old Testament kept turning away from their God, it seems we do the same today.

Back then they were given a prophetic word that there would be a Messiah coming to save them from their enemies.  They waited a long time.  God used Isaiah to prophesy:  And the government will be upon His shoulder.  And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end... (Isaiah 9:6b-7a)  Israel was looking for deliverance from a man.  When Jesus arrived they continued to turn their backs because they did not understand and did not believe Jesus was their Messiah.

How many of us don't understand? How God is trying so hard to open people's eyes and we're still looking for peace through our government. Don't get me wrong, we need a leader for our country. The leader we need, however, is one who holds on to God's principles, without compromise.  

In the Old Testament Israel cried out for a king like the other nations had.  They had been under the guidance of the Levite priests, men who looked only to God, but the people no longer wanted that.  And God allowed them to have their king--almost as proof that they could not rule as well without His guidance.

I'd say we're in a similar postion now.  We've been doing okay as a nation but have slowly slipped, compromised a lot of issues and God says, "No more. They want their king, then they shall have him."  He has given us what the majority wanted; he has given us what we deserve.

But we have hope.  See how many times it has been stated:  For all this His anger is not turned away, but His hand is stretched out still. - (Isaiah 10:4b, 10:16, 20a, d). We, like Israel, are forsaking our God. There is a remnant (handful of believers) who will not turn away from Him, who see from the past what the present is and what our future will be.  

Isaiah 10:3b asks us To whom will you flee for help? And where will you leave your glory? Who will we run to when all else has failed? Will we look to God? Will we continue to look to man? I pray that we will see God's glory by continually looking up. Let God heal this land.

These chapters in Isaiah are just so chock full of good words, I just have to quote them:

Isaiah 10:23, 24, 27a - For the Lord GOD of hosts will make a determined end in the midst of all the land. Therefore thus says the Lord GOD of hosts: "O My people, who dwell in Zion, do not be afraid of the Assyrian. He shall strike you with a rod and lift up his staff against you, in the manner of Egypt...It shall come to pass in that day that his burden will be taken away from your shoulder...  You must understand that history repeats itself.  Israel is a type of believer in Christ, those who follow God.  In this context I would say Assyria and Egypt are a type of enemy, whether within our nation or without.  Isaiah may have been talking about Israel, but He speaks to us as well.  

Then, again, Isaiah 5:25 tells us "But His hand is stretched out still."  ...for the leaders of this people cause them to err, and those who are led by them are destroyed... For everyone is a hypocrite and an evildoer, and every mouth speaks folly. For all this His anger is not turned away, but His hand is stretched out still. (Isaiah 9:16, 9:17b, 9:21b)

But God!  It is His desire that "none should perish." His hand is stretched out still for us right now.  Our hope is in God.  But we have to desire Him, like He desires us. We have keep our eyes focused on Him...and if we aren't we need to begin to. He is our salvation and He is our strength in the midst of any trouble. We cannot look to man. His hand is outstretched even now to those who need to believe in Him. Ask Him to reveal Himself to you. If you do it with a pure heart, He will respond.

John 3:16 - For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.