AUGUST 29, 2026 – THE REMNANT OF ISRAEL

READ: Zeph. 3:12–13: “… no lies … no injustice …”

Judgment is coming upon the nations and upon God’s people because of their accumulated sins. Yet in His unfathomable grace God preserves a remnant, a remainder of His people. Isaiah prophesies concerning this in Isa. 10:22: ‘Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, The remnant will return.’

And in Isa. 1:9: ‘Unless the LORD of hosts had left to us a very small remnant, we would have become like Sodom, we would have been made like Gomorrah.’ (Both passages are quoted by Paul in Rom. 9:27,29.)

First there is a remnant of God’s people that returns from the exile, and, by grace,from among them there is again a small remnant that is willing to believe in  Christ. Likewise, the number of true believers from among the Gentiles who, from Pentecost onward, are added to the church of Christ also forms a (small) minority. Moreover, this church is despised by the world, yet it may rejoice in its Saviour and in God’s presence. The Holy Spirit dwells in her. Thus she may, through Word and Spirit, fight against sin, take refuge under the blood of Christ, and continue with confidence in God.

Yet there must also continue to be a struggle within the church itself to uphold the truth of God’s Word over against falsehood. This requires not only daily repentance but also continual reformation. Above all, it requires reformation of the heart, in which there is a pursuing of righteousness (1 Tim. 6:11), in which Christ is followed as the Lamb (Rev. 14:4–5), injustice is opposed, and the truth is served.

These are not perfect people, but members who are dependent upon God, who know themselves to be the property of Christ and desire to live according to His commandments seeking the power and work of the Holy Spirit. With many falls and renewed efforts they struggle against sin (cf. 1 John 1:6–2:2). This is also pointed out in Lord’s Day 44 of the Heidelberg Catechism:

“God wants us to strive without ceasing and to pray to God for the grace of the Holy Spirit, so that we may be renewed more and more after the image of God until after this life we reach the goal, namely perfection.”

How does the Spirit lead us from strength to strength?

Sing: Ps. 84:3,4