Old Testament - Isaiah 56-57 - September 30, 2022

 9/30/2022 – Isaiah 56-57

Isaiah 56

I love the synopsis of this chapter “All who keep the commandments shall be exalted—The sons of strangers will join Israel—The Lord will gather others to the house of Israel.”

The Lord reminds us so many times, in so many places, the things we should do to be able to come back into His presence. “Keep ye judgment, and do justice…Blessed is the man that doeth this and the son of the man that layeth hold on it; that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and keepeth his hand from doing evil…” (v’s 1-5) The Lord is assuring us that His words will be fulfilled. He promises that He will also gather and bless individuals who were not members of the house of Israel but who would love and serve the Lord. He is aware of our efforts. We will be rewarded. We should not be discouraged by our situations. We simply need to keep His commandments.

Isaiah 57

In verses 1-2 the Lord tells us not to worry when a righteous person dies, for that person will enter into peace. He is reminding us that the state of our spirituality shall follow us from this earthly life and into our heavenly life. He then goes on to tell us that doing our best here on earth will bring us calm and sweet rewards when we leave this earthly life. He also assures us that this promise covers everyone who ever lived on earth who loved and served the Lord. I would think that it wouldn’t matter what religion they followed, as long as their efforts on earth were to serve the Lord, and help others to do the same. He will gather and bless all who have loved and served the Him.

But He also goes on in v 6 to let us know that it means nothing for us to go through the motions of worship. Our worship must be done with our heart and our humble efforts. He promises those who work to follow Him that “I have seen his ways, and will heal him: I will lead him also, and restore comforts unto him and to his mourners. I create the fruit of the lips; Peace, peace to him that is near, saith the Lord; and I will heal him.” (v 18-19)

He is cheering for us all. If we need His help, all we need to do is to get down on our knees and ask, then listen, then follow. He will show us the right roads to take.

Joseph Smith has explained to us: “The past, the present, and the future were and are, with Him, one eternal ‘now’” and that “We are looked upon by God as though we were in eternity; God dwells in eternity, and does not view things as we do.”  It is the Lord’s perspective that we need to work to see.”


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