Isaiah 64 -- God's Anger vs. God's Disappointment

The disadvantage of having an “oceanview” room is that the ocean pounds against the rocks on the beach all night long.  It was especially loud last night, and I think God used some of those 10’ waves to get me up this morning for a normal quiet time, with the boys still asleep.  Those powerful waves crashing over those rocks seem so powerful, yet Isaiah’s description of God overwhelms even them:

“Tear open the skies and come down to earth so that the mountains will tremble before You …. Let Your enemies know who You are.”  

We’re supposed to go see mountains that tremble tomorrow as they belch lava.  It wouldn’t be hard to imagine that happening.  The tone of that second part though doesn’t seem evangelistic.  It sounds vengeful.  But it changes in verse 4: 

“From long ago no one has ever heard of a God like You … who helps the people who trust You.  You help those who enjoy doing good, who remember how You want them to live.  But You were angry because we sinned.  For a long time we disobeyed, so how can we be saved?  All of us are dirty with sin.  All the right things we have done are like filthy pieces of cloth.  All of us are like dead leaves, and our sins, like the wind, have carried us away.”

Man, it’s so important to get to the stage where we openly admit that to God! 

Isaiah had come to know God better than most anyone else at that time (because God allowed him to know Him).  And he signaled something important with that key red flag I always watch for:  “But God…”

“But God, You are our Father.  We are like clay and You are the potter; Your hands made us all.”  Having been shaped by God, then there’s no doubt that He can continue to shape us.  He’s never done with us.

“Lord, don’t continue to be angry with us; don’t remember our sins forever.  Please look at us, because we are Your people.”

We tend to think that we disappoint God.  Isaiah said they ANGERED Him.  The difference has to be because we’ve accepted the sacrifice His Son made for us on the cross, for when He looks at us, He sees His Son.

Father, I’m in need of continual reshaping.  Knock off my rough edges.  Polish me and make me into a reflection of You.  I don’t want to be like those rough, stubborn rocks on the shore below that minute after minute are blasted by those powerful waves yet never seem to respond.

Your Brother In Christ,

Gary Ford