A New Transition

The Path of Your Judgements

In Isaiah 26:8 a desire for God to reveal His power in their (our) own behalf is shown. The NIV says, "yes, LORD, walking in the way of your laws we wait for you..." But the AMP and the HCSB say, "...in the path of Your judgements." All three translations are very weighty in that it puts a need for sanctification and holiness on us. If we expect Him to reveal His power to us then we must be walking in His laws and judgements. Hosea 12:5+6 tells us that we must cling to love, mercy, righteousness, and justice and never stop waiting on Him.

Isaiah 26:13 AMP says, "o Lord, our God, other masters besides you have ruled over us..." And that's true for all of us. We've all allowed different idols, strongholds, and obsessions to rule over us. But it goes on in the same verse and says, "but we will acknowledge and mention Your name only." We must turn away from those things and exalt Him, the only true Master. Christ tells us in Matthew 6:24 that we can only serve one master. We can't exalt God while trying to serve other fleshly masters. Exalting, worshipping, and serving Him have everything to do with waiting for Him.

Isaiah 25:1 (HCSB) says, "Yahweh, you are my God; I will exalt you. I will praise Your name for You have accomplished wonders, plans formed long ago with perfect faithfulness." What it boils down to is we praise, worship, and exalt Him for one reason: because He first loved us. He loved us first by accomplishing what the Amplified Bible says is, "Purposes planned of old [and fulfilled] in faithfulness and truth." Most notably by sacrificing His son for us.

All of this being said, what it the importance of walking in His judgements and striving for sanctification and holiness? Of course it's important because it maintains our closeness with God and makes our harvest more plentiful (that's a whole different message entirely,) but most importantly it drawls others to redemption.

When I first read Isaiah 26:9 in the NIV where the latter part of the verse says, "...when Your judgements come upon the Earth, the people of the world learn righteousness." I automatically thought about the wrath of God on the last Day, when His judgement is brought. Then when I read it in the Amplified where it says, "...when Your judgements are in the Earth..." and the HCSB where it says, "...when Your judgements are in the land..." It struck me that it may be referring to us. We are called to be walking, talking, human imbodiments of His judgements. When we are in the land and are being the sanctified and holy beings we are called to be, then those around us will know righteousness. That doesn't mean they will be righteous, but they will know righteousness which will bring them conviction and lead them to salvation and righteousness. By seeing Him in us it opens a pathway of redemption for the righteous.

"...when your decisions are on public display, everyone learns how to live right..." MSG

Lord, help us to live right, so others may know how to live right.