Thurs., 6/16/16 Devotion (Isa. 48:22)

Today's encouragement comes from Isaiah 48:22, where we see these powerful few words:

“ 'There is no peace,' says the LORD, 'for the wicked.’ "

These words become a refrain in Isaiah. He ends major sections of his thought with it. Who are the wicked? All those who live contrary to the gospel of grace, and who refuse to love and cling to the Messiah. These are found both inside and outside of the realm of organized religion.

If the wicked are NEVER, even for a solitary moment, at peace—then, who would want to be wicked? Do not even compete unbelievers profess to desire a sense of peace in their hearts? Surely may they think they do; but in fact they do not—since they reject the Prince of Peace. By faith in Christ, may our hearts dwell contentedly in our Redeemer today, no matter how much turmoil swirls about us, (cf. Rom. 5:1).

[Puritan quote of the day: "Christ incarnate is nothing but love covered with flesh. As Christ's assuming our human nature was a masterpiece of wisdom, so it was a monument of free grace.” —Thomas Watson, in, "A Body of Divin-ity"]