Isaiah 59

“Behold, the LORD’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; nor His ear heavy, that it cannot hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear.” (Isaiah 59:1–2, NKJV)

Man has the perennial problem of sin. We are born into sin, and sin is the natural fruit of who we are. But sin separates us from our holy Creator. If we would have peace with God and a relationship with Him, then our sins must be dealt with.

When Adam sinned, God revealed His plan to redeem man back to Himself. It would come through blood atonement and ultimately through the promised Seed of the woman (Genesis 3:15). Only God could initiate this reconciliation.

Those who do not believe in Jesus Christ are spiritually dead in their trespasses and sins (Ephesians 2:1-2). According to the above verse, if they pray, then God is not listening to their prayer. The only prayer He listens to is, “Be merciful to me a sinner” (Luke 18:13-14) We must also confess with our mouths the Lord Jesus and believe that God raised Him from the dead in order to be saved (Romans 10:9). Then the separation is ended, and we have peace with God.

Perhaps the greatest lie Satan has sold is that people can be good enough to save themselves. But the truth is that we each need a mediator or intercessor. However, prior to the advent of Jesus Christ, no such person existed.

“He saw that there was no man and wondered that there was no intercessor. Therefore His own arm brought salvation for Him, and His own righteousness, it sustained Him.” (Isaiah 59:15–16, NKJV)

God has brought salvation through His Son Jesus Christ. He alone is our Mediator and Intercessor.

“Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.” (Hebrews 7:25, NKJV)

What a wonderful thought that we always have Jesus the Righteous One standing in heaven for us as our intercessor, testifying on our behalf to His own righteousness that has been credited to us. Regardless of what we have done, if we will come to Him in faith, confessing our sins, then He will forgive us and save us to the uttermost! This is blessed assurance for sinners like us!