READ: Is. 45:15-25: Truly You are God, who hide Yourself, O God of Israel, the Savior! They shall all be ashamed and disgraced … makers of idols. But Israel shall be saved by the LORD with an everlasting salvation; you shall not be ashamed or disgraced forever and ever … God … Who formed the earth to be inhabited: I am the LORD, and there is no other. I have not spoken in secret … I did not say to the seed of Jacob, ‘Seek Me in vain’; I, the LORD, speak righteousness, I declare things that are right … Look to Me, and be saved, all you ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other. I have sworn by Myself … that to Me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall take an oath…
God’s mighty works are visible, yet God Himself remains hidden. Often, we cannot understand His ways. But the nations that turn to idol worship will stand ashamed when God’s judgment comes upon them. Their visible idols will not be able to help them.
However, Israel, who knows the LORD, will be redeemed by Him and receive eternal salvation. This refers to spiritual Israel, those who do not trust in idols.
The LORD created the earth so that humans could dwell upon it. While the earth was once formless and empty (Gen. 1:2), God, the almighty Creator, made it habitable.
Even though God is not physically visible, He speaks openly to His people. He did so through the prophets and, at Sinai, directly from the fire (Exodus 20). God also allows Himself to be found by those who seek and call upon Him.
The LORD has not spoken injustice, but only truth, fairness, and righteousness (see John 18:20). From verse 20, all the world (“all the ends of the earth”) is called to turn to God.
Israel’s redemption from exile foreshadows the universal salvation inaugurated at Pentecost. Salvation and righteousness are now available to the Gentiles as well! Let every knee bow before the one true God who alone can provide salvation, and let them serve Him faithfully!
How does God reveal Himself today?
Sing: Ps. 140:9,10