A promise of victory is given to Judah, even while trouble is still looming. Assyria was still a threat, and Babylonian captivity had not yet occurred. Yet, before the struggle begins, victory is celebrated; before the tears are shed God promises to wipe them away.
Traditionally, the coronation of a new king was celebrated with a banquet. It was a time when the king lavished favors upon his subjects. Isaiah now pictures such a feast in honor of the coronation of Yahweh. It is a coronation for all people—Jew and non-Jew—to be held on Mount Zion, a reference to Jerusalem, the holy city.
The feast is to be prepared in abundance—the finest foods, vintage wines, and lavish desserts. This highlights God’s unparalleled provision. Better still, God will remove the veil of mourning so that the banquet may truly be a time of great joy. Specifically, we have promised here the removal of three things: Death, Tears and Disgrace.
“At that time, people will say, ‘Look at what’s happened! This is our God! We waited for Him and He showed up and saved us! This God, the One we waited for! Let’s celebrate, sing the joys of his salvation (verses 9 and 10).’” Seated at that great banquet table, the saints of the ages realize that their patience had been rewarded. To wait is to put things in God’s hands and continue to believe even with the passage of a long interval of time. They celebrate God’s power because God’s hand of blessing rests there.
Even as we deal with troubles—corporate and individual—we have reason to praise God. Our trials are, somehow, a part of God’s process of bringing us to wholeness. We do not always understand it; we do not always like it. But we must maintain a faith in God that reassures us that, once complete, we shall come forth as pure gold.
(We invite your comments. Feel free to share this devotion with your friends and invite them to subscribe by forwarding their email address to the Pastor at: fredjeffsmith@gmail.com.)
Mornings with Shiloh airs on WVLA Channel 33 each weekday at 6:58 a. m. CST. Mornings with Shiloh is available on our Youtube channel at 8:00 a.m. CST.
CLICK THE LINK BELOW TO ACCESS OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL:
https://www.youtube.com/@ShilohMBCBR/videos
Want to get more involved at Shiloh?
Browse our Ministries