Bigots

Bigots

Read Isaiah 49:1–52:12

1. “Listen to me, all who hope for deliverance—all who seek the Lord! Consider the rock from which you were cut, the quarry from which you were mined.
2. Yes, think about Abraham, your ancestor, and Sarah, who gave birth to your nation. Abraham was only one man when I called him. But when I blessed him, he became a great nation.”
3. The Lord will comfort Israel again and have pity on her ruins. Her desert will blossom like Eden, her barren wilderness like the garden of the Lord. Joy and gladness will be found there. Songs of thanksgiving will fill the air.
4. “Listen to me, my people. Hear me, Israel, for my law will be proclaimed, and my justice will become a light to the nations.
5. My mercy and justice are coming soon. My salvation is on the way. My strong arm will bring justice to the nations.” Isaiah 51:1-5

If you are discouraged about your faith and are thinking about giving up on God, wait! Isaiah has something to say to you. And it’s all good news! In this set of prophecies, Isaiah has many encouraging words for those who keep God’s laws.

Other messages of good news in this passage concern Israel’s homecoming from captivity and reasons not to fear other people.

Not everyone in Israel thumbed their nose at God. Some, a small minority, often called a “remnant” in the Bible, loved God and obeyed his laws. As often happens to minorities, they drew insults and slander from others for being different. In this case, they were abused for loving and obeying God. But Isaiah had prophecies for them, too (Isaiah 51:7). These prophecies gave them hope for when they faced others’ reproach or insults because of their God-honoring lifestyle.

We need not fear when people insult us for our moral choices, because God is with us, and he will help us prevail.

If people make fun of you or dislike you because you go to church and stay faithful to your spouse, remember that they are not against you personally but against God. God will deal with them; you should concentrate on loving and obeying him. When you do, God will bless you for it!