Isaiah 51:9-10 Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the LORD; awake, as in the ancient days, in the generations of old… (with Isaiah 52:1): — I. THE CHURCH'S CALL ON GOD. "Awake, awake, O arm of the Lord." 1. The figure used here is simple enough. The "arm" is a natural symbol of power, for it is through it that we execute our purpose. If it is benumbed, insensitive, and motionless, we say that it is asleep; but when it is stretched out for action it is awake. And what the prophet pleads for is that some display of Divine power might be granted, such as had once been seen in Egypt, when "Rahab" (the fierce and boastful power of heathenism) had been broken in pieces and "the dragon" (or rather the crocodile, the recognized symbol of Egypt) had been sorely wounded. Now, the uses to which we put our arm may, any of them, suggest the actions to which we would summon our God in earnest prayer. The arm of the warrior bears the shield which protects his own body and those of weak and wounded friends lying at his feet; and we want such overshadowing protection against the fiery darts of the wicked. The arm is naturally outstretched to point the way to one who is ignorant and bewildered, and when we are perplexed as to doctrine or duty, we find it is not a vain thing to pray: "Teach me Thy way, O Lord." What is needed now, as of old, is the realization and the manifestation of the presence of God in the Person of Christ, His Son; so that now there may come about a true revival of religion, a living, unshakable belief that God is amongst His people of a truth. If only He reveals Himself in and through His Church, sin will be conquered and the world redeemed. 2. The necessity for this prayer arises from the fact that the work which lies before us as Christian Churches cannot be done by human power. II. GOD'S CALL UPON THE CHURCH. "Awake, awake; put on thy strength, O Zion," etc.. God never does for His people what they can do for themselves. 1. The Church is called upon to arouse from slumber — and whether it is the result of despondency, or of indolence, sleep must be shaken off. 2. The Church is also to endue herself with strength, to resume courage, and renew effort with a fresh sense of her responsibility. 3. But let us be thankful that there is room in God's heart for quieter service. They who fail to put on strength, can at least put on the. "beautiful garments" of holiness; and although these should endue the most active worker, they can transform into a saintly witness the solitary sufferer. 4. The Church is summoned here to consecrate herself anew to God. She is represented as a female captive in degrading servitude, whose hour of deliverance has come, and who is to shake herself free from the bands which have held her, and rejoice in new found liberty. It is not only sin which holds the Church in bondage, but sometimes formalism and ceremonialism, and we must beware, lest, with our love for order, we become thereby crippled and hindered. Let us be ready to make any change of mode or organization, to cast off any prejudices, if they prevent successful whole-hearted service for our God, and let us regard this as a time for renewed consecration to Him, to whom we owe ourselves, our time, our all. (A. Rowland, LL. B.) Parallel Verses KJV: Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the LORD; awake, as in the ancient days, in the generations of old. Art thou not it that hath cut Rahab, and wounded the dragon? |
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