The Lord Will Save (Isaiah 33:17-33)
The advent season is dominated by heart breaking news especially the death of our loved ones. Many people are in hospitals while others are facing devastating circumstances beyond their understanding. Many people are hurrying to marry and get married. Many families are going through a lot of turmoil leading to divorce. It is also a time of high levels of evil such as robbery, sexual immorality, murder, extreme drunkenness and all other forces. The devil has a strategy to stop the children of God from preparing well for the birth of Christ hence he puts a lot of options in place that look so attractive to take people’s attention away from the reality of Christmas.
Isaiah calls this devil the destroyer, traitor and betrayer who will one day be destroyed. Isaiah was conscious that it is possible for the children of God to be destroyed together with the angry destroyer. Isaiah gives a list of those who will survive destruction in 33:15, he who walks righteously and speaks uprightly, despises the gain of oppression, does not delight in bribe, avoids bloodshed and shuts his or her eyes from evil. And verse 16 makes the dwelling of such a person secure.
We live in a time of the already and not yet. Christ has come, he has conquered sin, death and Satan on the cross, he has inaugurated His kingdom. Yet as we wait for his return, we contend with the destroyer who actually has already been defeated. That is why when we call on the name of Jesus the devil trembles and leaves. The devil cannot behold the face of Jesus. Friends we are more than conquerors in Christ Jesus.
In Isaiah’s time it was complicated because people were in the waiting period, a time of uncertainty, but for us who live in the post resurrection age, Christ fills us with a concrete hope far beyond anything the people then imagined. God has already fulfilled the prophesies that he made in the time of Isaiah. In Isaiah 33:20-21 he gives the people hope even when Assyria and other troublesome nations had discouraged them. Friends it is possible that you are worried about what 2020 holds since you have suffered a lot of pain this year, you cannot even celebrate Christmas because of worry and unfriendly situations around, you are not certain about tomorrow, may be you are worried about what to wear and eat, you are consumed in thoughts of fees for the children. You are missing on the gift of Jesus who is your all in all, he holds your promises for next year, He holds your finances and your future is secure in His hands. Paul said I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that he is able…(2 Tim 2:12). The promise is sure no matter what the situation, God will save His people. Let us turn to Him with full commitment of heart.
I wish you all a blessed Christmas and a Christ centered New Year.
Merry Christmas and a happy new year!
The Very Rev. Canon Dr. Rebecca Nyegenye
PROVOST