God’s Healing Promises for People and Nations

In Isaiah 57, God speaks to His people, who are oppressed by sin, and by their own sins.  He promises peace and healing to those mourn.  I encourage you to seek and to accept God’s healing for you today, and to seek it for others, and for our state.I studied about God’s healing promises in an interesting passage in Isaiah 57:14-21 this morning. Here is the passage from HCSB:

[Healing and Peace]

14 He said,“Build it up, build it up, prepare the way,remove ⌊every⌋ obstacle from My people’s way.”

15 For the High and Exalted One who lives forever, whose name is Holy says this:“I live in a high and holy place,and with the oppressed and lowly of spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and revive the heart of the oppressed.

16 For I will not accuse ⌊you⌋ forever,and I will not always be angry; for then the spirit would grow weak before Me,even the breath ⌊of man⌋, which I have made.

17 Because of his sinful greed I was angry, so I struck him; I was angry and hid; but he went on turning back to the desires of his heart.

18 I have seen his ways, but I will heal him;I will lead him and restore comfortto him and his mourners,

19 creating words of praise.” The Lord says, “Peace, peace to the one who is far or near, and I will heal him.

20 But the wicked are like the storm-tossed sea, for it cannot be still,and its waters churn up mire and muck.

21 There is no peace for the wicked,”says my God.

Isaiah 57:14-21 (HCSB)

My focus is on God’s promises for healing in verses 18-19.

I see 5 promises for healing of sinners like us-
1. I have seen his ways, but I will heal him;
2. I will lead him and
3. restore comfort to him and his mourners,
4. creating words of praise.”
5. The Lord says,“Peace, peace to the one who is far or near,
And He repeats Promise #1 at the end, affirming His promise: and I will heal him.

I was a little puzzled by “restore comfort to him and his mourners”, wondering who were his mourners?  Then I remembered Matthew 5:4, Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.  I think the Lord is promising comfort to the individual and to his fellow mourners, to all who mourn.

I am also encouraged that the healing includes God creating words of praise by us, literally, the “fruit of lips.” To be fruitful in this life includes speaking or singing words of praise!  And God inhabits the praises of His people!  May the Lord give us further understanding and further healing each day of our earthly lives.