Worship Preparation Guide for Sunday, June 4

Worship Preparation Guide for Sunday, June 4

Sermon Text:  Isaiah 56:9 - 57:21

Songs of worship include: Holy, Holy, Holy; Come Behold the Wondrous Mystery; Great Are You Lord

This is the promise God declares to us in Isaiah 57:

For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, 

who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy:

“I dwell in the high and holy place, a

nd also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit,

to revive the spirit of the lowly, 

and to revive the heart of the contrite. (Isaiah 57:15)

This is one of the most beautiful statements in Scripture.  The One who is utterly separated from the inhabitants of earth in his “holy” place says that his dwelling is also with the lowly and the contrite. This is not to say that God will become less than transcendently holy; rather, he will bring his people to share that character.

God heart is not set on punishment, but on transformation, giving his people a changed nature, where rebellion and pride will be replaced by healing, praise and peace.

What makes this promise so amazing is the context in which it is found.  Isaiah 56 and 57 contain an ugly picture of the spiritual adultery, idolatry and spiritual laziness of God’s people.  God confronts these sins and makes clear the devastating consequences that are certain to follow. 

Yet grace breaks through the text in an amazing way.  God declares the humble repentant heart is revived and at home with God. 

Make no mistake, God sees and knows our sin.  “I have seen his ways”, God reminds us.  Yet what comes next is reason to praise and worship him: “but I will heal him; I will lead him and restore comfort to him…”(Is 57:19)

Before we gather tomorrow for worship read Isaiah 56 and 57.  I look forward to seeing you there.