Wednesday, June 16, 2021

Wed., 6/16/21 Devotion (Isa. 48:22)

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

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

These words become a refrain in Isaiah. The prophet ends major sections of his inspired 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 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 worldlings strongly desire a sense of peace in their hearts? Surely they think they do; but in fact they do not—since they reject the Prince of Peace. By faith, may our hearts dwell contentedly in Jesus 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"]