Isaiah 57:1-2 – Only the Good Die Young
There’s an old saying that “only the good die young”. The people in Israel had this happening, and would in time see it happen more. Who is the righteous? Well, we would say righteous people like King Josiah who dies an “early” death but it makes no difference to the nation. But ultimately, is this not looking to Jesus Christ? It is because He was righteous before the law that He was able to be the sacrifice for the sins of His people. And it’s because He was the righteous One that His righteousness in the covenant of grace goes on our account. But at the cross so many did not take any of this to heart. Instead they shouted for Him to be crucified and to save Himself. And who are these devout ones but the people of God? We might think of the apostles and other disciples, such as Stephen. They are taken away, some by stoning, some by other persecution, prison, or exile. The bulk of Israel in Jesus’ day took none of this to heart.
It’s tempting for believers to say to themselves, ‘Why would God take away godly ones from the earth while the ungodly party on? Does God love His enemies and hate His children?’ Trouble is coming for the wicked. We have read that the wicked are allowed to flourish like grass. But God puts them there for his own glory, and He cuts them down. He takes away His people sometimes that they might not see and experience all the difficulties of the wicked. God pulls them out because He is about to start the mowing. To paraphrase Matthew Henry — Kings bring home their ambassadors right before they declare war.
Those whose hearts have been changed by grace, those for whom Jesus died, experience death. But they enter into peace. We go to our Father’s house, the One Who is called the God of peace. We go to Him Who has loved us and given Himself for us, Who has been raised victorious from the dead, Who is called the Prince of Peace. We there have a feeling, the like of which we’ve never had, of the Spirit who gives peace. And we have fellowship with our fellow saints forever and ever — the children of peace. We may have trouble and we may die young, but we will be going home, going to peace, going to rest.
Questions
- What does God sometimes take His people out of this world?
- What do we have to look forward to in Heaven?
Prayer Points
- Pray for the preaching and hearing of God’s Word tomorrow.
- Use prayer points from your congregation.
- Pray for family matters.