Isaiah 66:10-14 – Rejoice With Jerusalem
The words of verse 10 are addressed to those who love the Church. All who are the true Israel of God love her in her trials and in her triumphs that her Lord brings to her to purify her. Jesus, her Lord and Husband, loves her. He does not reject her or merely put up with her. So, Christian, when you mourn for the Church in her difficulty from within and without, know that a time of gladness and unspeakable joy for and in her shall come in good time.
The Church is not only the Bride of Christ, but the mother of believers as we see in verse 11. She it is who loves us, who cares for us, who feeds us. What do we receive of her? What blessings do we have in her? We have the means of grace given out in the preaching of the Word of God, the sacraments, and prayer. We have a covenant community to support us and our children and to help us walk together in newness of life, with the assurance of everlasting communion and fellowship in and with the saints and with Jesus Himself. We have the blessing of church discipline to help us grow in holiness. We have shepherds and servants (elders and deacons) to be helps to our faith. We have God-directed worship which, in and through Christ, we are assured is accepted by and delighted in by Him. All the blessing the Church receives from her Husband, all the love and joy, all the beauty and glory, are ours as we are in communion with her, as we are in union and communion with Christ.
Verse 12 is a promise to the Church that Jehovah gives peace. We, being justified by faith, have peace with God. We have peace with one another in the Church. We have increasing peace and contentment with God’s providence and our future. There is the guarantee of an everlasting home with our Father. This peace is like a river. It will not dry up. It is unstoppable and abundant. It is extensive in its reach, flowing through many nations, gaining strength. It brings life, abundance, joy, and healing to those sick with sin and grief.
It is in the Church that we receive our comfort. Through her we receive the good news of the Gospel. These are sure promises that are partly fulfilled now, and will yet be fully brought to pass. As we experience now some of the promised blessing we rejoice! God’s hand is a good hand for us who are His. His hand is a sovereign hand upon those who hate Him!
Question
- What promises are in these verses?
Prayer Points
- Give thanks for the peace and comfort we have in Christ.
- Use prayer points from your congregation.
- Pray for family matters.