Isaiah 45:21-22 Tell you, and bring them near; yes, let them take counsel together: who has declared this from ancient time?… Consider — I. How GOD IS JUST. He will not deal unfairly with His creatures. He will not ascribe a single sin to them which they have not committed. He will not punish them beyond what their iniquities deserve. II. HOW HE IS AT THE SAME TIME A SAVIOUR. III. WHAT IS THE INVITATION WHICH HE ADDRESSES TO A RUINED WORLD. Mark — 1. To whom it is addressed. "All the ends of the earth." How broad an invitation! Who is there who can say, "I am not called"? 2. What does He invite us all to do? "Look unto Me!" "Behold Me with the eye of faith, as 'the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world!' 'Look unto Me' as your refuge, your resource, your hope, your confidence your almighty, all-sufficient, only Saviour! 'Look unto Me' for life, for pardon, for righteousness, for peace on earth, for heavenly happiness hereafter! 'Look unto Me,' by looking off from every object of your carnal confidence, from every vain deceitful hope which you have invented for yourselves, and by placing your entire, unbounded trust in the merits of My Cross!" 3. And what spiritual benefit shall that look of faith procure to them? "Be ye saved." Are there not those that look for mercy even though they look not unto Jesus? Consider seriously that expression, "There is none beside Me" — "A just God and a Saviour." Ye that are looking unto Him for salvation! remember that, in the very act by which the Lord hath delivered you from death He hath shown you also His horror and His hatred of your sins. (A. Roberts, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: Tell ye, and bring them near; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath declared this from ancient time? who hath told it from that time? have not I the LORD? and there is no God else beside me; a just God and a Saviour; there is none beside me. |
    |