Isaiah 54

“No weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed, and you shall refute every tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD and their vindication from me, declares the LORD.” (Isaiah 54:17, ESV)

When our children were young, from time to time they would say or do something that required discipline. For acts of defiance I reserved a 5-gallon paint stir stick from Home Depot. After the time of punishment and a noticeable change of attitude, I would follow up with comfort and instruction. I wanted them to know that I still loved them, to understand why this happened, and to consider what they would do differently in the future.

I believe that God took a similar approach with the people of Judah. He would punish them for their sins, and they would suffer for a season, but then He would restore them.

“For a brief moment I deserted you, but with great compassion I will gather you.” (Isaiah 54:7, ESV)

When God finally restores the Jews to Israel during the millennial kingdom, then He will punish them no more, and all their suffering will be forgotten.

“Just as I swore in the time of Noah that I would never again let a flood cover the earth, so now I swear that I will never again be angry and punish you.” (Isaiah 54:9, NLT)

But in the meantime, every enemy that comes against them and every hardship they face is superintended by God. And no weapon formed against them will ultimately prosper. Every tongue that rises against them to accuse or condemn, they will refute. Isaiah says that this is the heritage of the servants of the LORD. In other words, everyone who calls upon His name and has been brought into a covenant relationship with Him has this same guarantee. Our vindication or righteousness comes from Him. After the discipline is complete, then He will uphold, vindicate and establish us. And we will inherit the earth!

Remember this the next time someone comes against you or says nasty things about you. Remember this whenever you are going through painful trials. The things the devil uses for evil, God uses for good. If we trust in Him, then He will give us His righteousness, and He will establish us forever in peace!