Do You Really Trust God's Justice and Mercy Today? ⋆ Effie Darlene Barba %

If we look at the news media or ponder the evil that seems to overwhelm us, then a sense of desperation can fill our spirit and heart. The older I get the more I realize the depth of depravity that lives within the world and even my own heart. That is unless I remember “But God”. So, each day I am reminded to ask myself, “Do You Really Trust God’s Justice and Mercy Today?” When I want Him to move quickly. Or I cry, “come now!” Can I trust that He is “not slow” as we consider slowness?

The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is long suffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9 NKJV

Chapters 13 to 23 of Isaiah are just that, a reminder that we can truly trust God’s Justice and Mercy today. Regardless of how bleak the day may look, God can and will make all things work together for good for those who love Him and are called for His Purpose. Romans 8: 28 and 29 remind us of that truth. So, as we look at these very complex chapters in Isaiah, let us cling to this truth. Isaiah himself felt great grief as he wrote these. Yet, he remembered the glorious view of God’s throne he was given. Therefore, he wrote on. The sorrow and devastation presented here is a reminder of God’s justice, mingled with His mercy as He waits for one more believer to come.

How Majestic Is God

Last week we looked at the Majesty of God in the destruction of Babylon foretold before there was an Empire called Babylon. Assyria had defeated Babylon long before this, thinking they could never rise again. Yet, Babylon under King Nebuchadnezzar did rise again out of the ashes suddenly to become a great empire. They would then conquer the Assyrian Army in 612 BC. Isaiah foretold not only this; but, also their downfall by the Medes and Persians in 539 BC. He also named Cyrus as the Persian Leader. Cyrus reigned over the Persian empire from 559 to 529 BC. Isaiah’s ministry was from 739 BC until his death in 681 BC. Therefore, as we look at this history, do we not see the Sovereignty of God. And thereby trust God’s justice in all of it?

But what about His mercy? Did He not send salvation to the great capital of Asyrria, Ninevah in what is believed to be 763 BC when a solar eclipse is recorded shortly before this. The entire city was saved. They came to worship God for a time only to fall again into idolatry and evil pagan worship. This despite their reputation for ruthlessness, there was a merciful reaching out of God’s hand. But as is common in this world of humanity, they then turned aside. God also brought King Nebuchadnezzar through Daniel to a knowledge of Himself as we read in King Nebuchadnezzar’s confession in Daniel 4. Still, his grandson Belshazzar defiled God and was overthrown when the Mede/Persian army took over the city without a shot being shot. God’s mercy can always be trusted alongside His Justice.

This is what we must remember as we study these chapters. We can really trust God’s Justice and His Mercy, regardless of what is happening around us in this world.

Assyria’s Fall foretold

The Lord of hosts has sworn, saying,

“Surely, as I have thought, so it shall come to pass,

And as I have purposed, so it shall stand:

That I will break the Assyrian in My land,

And on My mountains tread him underfoot.

Then his yoke shall be removed from them,

And his burden removed from their shoulders.

This is the purpose that is purposed against the whole earth,

And this is the hand that is stretched out over all the nations.

For the Lord of hosts has purposed,

And who will annul it?

His hand is stretched out,

And who will turn it back?”

Isaiah 14: 24-27 NKJV

This is foretold shortly before Sennacherib’s army was struck down by an angel of God and forced to retreat. Unfortunately, Judah had aligned themselves with Assyria trusting them instead of God. After Assyria defeated the northern tribe of Israel in 720 BC, they then wanted to overtake Judah as well. Certainly, none of this exempted Assyria from God’s judgement. Assyria most directly aligns with Northern Iraq today, for perspective as to their location. This is representing justice, but what about God’s mercy. Later we will see in Isaiah 19, that Asyrria and Egypt will be blessed during the millennial reign of Christ Jesus.

In that day Israel will be one of three with Egypt and Assyria—a blessing in the midst of the land, whom the Lord of hosts shall bless, saying, “Blessed is Egypt My people, and Assyria the work of My hands, and Israel My inheritance.” Isaiah 19:24-25. NKJV

What an amazing God we serve! He has promised and we can trust God’s Justice and Mercy today. None of His prophecies has failed. Some see the Old Testament as a harsh judgmental book of God. Yet, throughout its pages is the redemptive story. Yes, there is judgement for evil, for which humanity is fully guilty of. Still amid all that, there is a thread of mercy. The foretelling of Jesus Christ. God’s redemptive plan of mercy even though no one, not one of us deserves it. Still, it is there throughout every page. The Old Testament as well as the new is the Story of Jesus Christ and the salvation He offers each of us.

Philistia Destroyed

This is the burden which came in the year that King Ahaz died.

“Do not rejoice, all you of Philistia,

Because the rod that struck you is broken;

For out of the serpent’s roots will come forth a viper,

And its offspring will be a fiery flying serpent.

The firstborn of the poor will feed,

And the needy will lie down in safety;

I will kill your roots with famine,

And it will slay your remnant.

Wail, O gate! Cry, O city!

All you of Philistia are dissolved;

For smoke will come from the north,

And no one will be alone in his appointed times.”

What will they answer the messengers of the nation?

That the Lord has founded Zion,

And the poor of His people shall take refuge in it. Isaiah 14: 28-32 NKJV

Philistia is the region along the sea line of Canaan including Gaza.

During the reign of Ahaz, the Philistines took advantage of Judah’s weakened state. Ahaz, who ruled from approximately 732 to 716 BC, was a king noted for his idolatry and failure to follow the ways of his forefathers, David and Solomon. His reign is characterized by a departure from the worship of Yahweh, leading to moral and spiritual decay within the kingdom.¹https://biblehub.com/topical/ttt/t/the_philistines–distressed_judah_under_ahaz.htm

Yet, God has always shown mercy by pleading with their people to turn to Him.

God’s Justice and Mercy Toward Moab

Remember the Moabites? They were the descendants of Lot via his own daughter after the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. The daughters thought they must do something to preserve the family. Therefore, they got their father drunk and slept with him to have children. The Moabites later disallowed the Jewish nation to cross through their lands. There were many conflicts with the Moabites.

The burden against Moab.

Because in the night Ar of Moab is laid waste

And destroyed,

Because in the night Kir of Moab is laid waste

And destroyed,

He has gone up to the temple and Dibon,

To the high places to weep.

Moab will wail over Nebo and over Medeba;

On all their heads will be baldness,

And every beard cut off.

In their streets they will clothe themselves with sackcloth;

On the tops of their houses

And in their streets

Everyone will wail, weeping bitterly.

Heshbon and Elealeh will cry out,

Their voice shall be heard as far as Jahaz;

Therefore the armed soldiers of Moab will cry out;

His life will be burdensome to him.

“My heart will cry out for Moab;

His fugitives shall flee to Zoar,

Like a three-year-old heifer.

For by the Ascent of Luhith

They will go up with weeping;

For in the way of Horonaim

They will raise up a cry of destruction,

For the waters of Nimrim will be desolate,

For the green grass has withered away;

The grass fails, there is nothing green.

Therefore the abundance they have gained,

And what they have laid up,

They will carry away to the Brook of the Willows.

For the cry has gone all around the borders of Moab,

Its wailing to Eglaim

And its wailing to Beer Elim.

For the waters of Dimon will be full of blood;

Because I will bring more upon Dimon,

Lions upon him who escapes from Moab,

And on the remnant of the land.” Isaiah 15: 1-9 NKJV

And it continues in Isaiah 16. Even Isaiah is mournful for the Moabites.

Send the lamb to the ruler of the land,

From Sela to the wilderness,

To the mount of the daughter of Zion.

For it shall be as a wandering bird thrown out of the nest;

So shall be the daughters of Moab at the fords of the Arnon.

“Take counsel, execute judgment;

Make your shadow like the night in the middle of the day;

Hide the outcasts,

Do not betray him who escapes.

Let My outcasts dwell with you, O Moab;

Be a shelter to them from the face of the [b]spoiler.

For the extortioner is at an end,

Devastation ceases,

The oppressors are consumed out of the land.

In mercy the throne will be established;

And One will sit on it in truth, in the tabernacle of David,

Judging and seeking justice and hastening righteousness.”

We have heard of the pride of Moab—

He is very proud—

Of his haughtiness and his pride and his wrath;

But his lies shall not be so.

Therefore Moab shall wail for Moab;

Everyone shall wail.

For the foundations of Kir Hareseth you shall mourn;

Surely they are stricken.

For the fields of Heshbon languish,

And the vine of Sibmah;

The lords of the nations have broken down its choice plants,

Which have reached to Jazer

And wandered through the wilderness.

Her branches are stretched out,

They are gone over the sea.

Therefore I will bewail the vine of Sibmah,

With the weeping of Jazer;

I will drench you with my tears,

O Heshbon and Elealeh;

For battle cries have fallen

Over your summer fruits and your harvest.

Gladness is taken away,

And joy from the plentiful field;

In the vineyards there will be no singing,

Nor will there be shouting;

No treaders will tread out wine in the presses;

I have made their shouting cease.

Therefore my heart shall resound like a harp for Moab,

And my inner being for Kir Heres.

And it shall come to pass,

When it is seen that Moab is weary on the high place,

That he will come to his sanctuary to pray;

But he will not prevail. This is the word which the Lord has spoken concerning Moab since that time. But now the Lord has spoken, saying, “Within three years, as the years of a hired man, the glory of Moab will be despised with all that great multitude, and the remnant will be very small and feeble.” Isaiah 16: 1-13

All due to the arrogance and pride of humanity against their creator. Moabites lived in what would be modern day Jordan.

And What About Mercy for Moab?

Woe to you, O Moab!

The people of Chemosh perish;

For your sons have been taken captive,

And your daughters captive.

“Yet I will bring back the captives of Moab

In the latter days,” says the Lord. Jeremiah 48: 46-47 NKJV

Concluding Thoughts

As we can clearly see, even in times of Chaos, God has been in control. He must display His Justice; yet, He has always demonstrated His Mercy as well. That which is occurring has occurred before. And we can see the truth of His word to complete all that He has said and promised. Therefore, regardless of the dark bleakness that surrounds us every day, look to Jesus. He is our hope, our joy, our peace, and our love. We can trust God’s Justice and Mercy today. I know, I have been there all too often in my life. He has proved faithful always.

Back in about 2006, after widowhood, cancer, ulcerative colitis, financial disaster; I finally sat down and wrote this poem. It was the second poem that I wrote called To God, My Love, My Hope, My Joy. Using Suno.com pro I was able to upload my voice and then let AI do it’s magic.

SONG–To God, My Love, My Hope, My Joy

TO GOD-MY LOVE, MY HOPE, MY JOY

by Effie Darlene Barba

My life-so filled with hopes and dreams

Lay shattered at Your feet

So many tears, so many pains

I laid before Your seat

 

Can I look upon Your face of love

And question what You’ve done?

For You have been my only hope

My only morning sun

 

You’ve seen my heart when crushed with pain

Your hands have held it tight

When I have been so weak, so frail

You’ve shown Your strength, Your might

 

You’ve held me close within Your arms

When darkness filled my night

And when I could not see my way

Your eyes, they gave me sight

 

I lay my life within Your hands

That You may heal my soul

And keep my eyes upon You Lord

That I may reach Your goal

 

Shine forth Your grace, Your mercy Lord

And let me be Your light

That all may see Your eyes of love

The blind, they might have sight

 

Let not the sorrows, nor the pains

Bring bitterness within

And give me strength to walk this path

Protect my heart from sin

 

I lay my heart, my soul, my dreams

Before Your throne of love

I lift my eyes to You, My God

And seek Your will above

 

You are the only one I need

To fill my heart with glee

It is Your face, my one true love

Tis all I need to see

 

So lift me up and hold me close

Reveal Your love divine

That through the holes within my heart

A world might see You shine

 

And if the sorrows of my past

Can touch a wayward one

I thank you Lord for each dark path

That lead them to Your son

 

I praise You now from mountains high

For each dark path I’ve trod

Twas there I found Your heart, Your love

Twas there I found You God

 

What great and wondrous joy I know

Because You are my king

And though the path I cannot see

My heart will trust and sing

 

A song of praise unto You Lord

Who knows what’s best for me

You’ll hold my hand and lead me on

In darkness, I can see

 

Your love, Your help, Your guiding hand

Is all I’ll ever need

So hold me close unto Your path

For this is all I plead

 

I’ll skip with joy along this path

Though darkness may surround

Because I know You hold my hand

My feet will ne’er touch ground

 

I cannot fall outside Your love

I cannot lose my way

I’ll hold my broken dreams once more

And see them real, one day

 

A song of praise unto You Lord

Who knows what’s best for me

You’ll hold my hand and lead me on

In darkness, I can see

 

Your love, Your help, Your guiding hand

Is all I’ll ever need

So hold me close unto Your path

For this is all I plead

DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD? He is our only Hope in Life and Death! Our Joy is found in Him.

Therefore if you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you today. Go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. I urge you to seek Him today.

For Prayer or Comments

If you have a prayer request feel free to email me by clicking here

Furthermore, if you would like to share your story or thoughts, you can comment here

Check out my other website about the inspiration behind each song at Effie Darlene Barba, Songwriter and Poet

How Majestic the Sovereignty of Almighty God in this World

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. Furthermore, I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned. That is except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR. Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Please note: This Post only has quotes from the KJV Bible except where otherwise indicated

¹ J.B. Phillips New Testament (PHILLIPS)

BSB (BEREAN STUDY BIBLE)

The Berean Bible and Majority Bible texts are officially dedicated to the public domain as of April 30, 2023.

English Standard Version (ESV)

Common English Bible (CEB)

Picture Taken and used by Permission of Melissa Smith, my daughter