Scripture text: Isaiah 33:15-17
“He that walketh righteously, and speaketh uprightly; he that despiseth the gain of oppressions, that shaketh his hands from holding of bribes, that stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood, and shutteth his eyes from seeing evil; he shall dwell on high; his place of defence shall be the munitionsa of rocks: bread shall be given him; his waters shall be sure. Thine eyes shall see the King in His beauty; they shall behold the land that is very far off.”
These verses describe God’s portrait of a Christian who believes in the lord Jesus and is a child of God (John 1:12). In these verses there are six different views of the Christian. He is one who:
1. Walks righteously.
2. Speaks uprightly.
3. Despises the gain of oppression.
4. Shakes his hands from holding of bribes.
5. Stops his ears from hearing of blood.
6. Shuts his eyes from seeing evil.
How do we, as Christians, fit into this picture? Do we walk in righteousness, speak honestly, despise anything that is underhand or dishonest, refuse to be corrupted by worldly gains? Are we slow to hear evil and refrain from doing evil things? Being a Christian, a true believer in the lord Jesus Christ, touches the whole life- feet, mouth, heart, hands, ears and eyes- (look up Romans 6:13; Romans 12:1-2; Verses 16 and 17 of Isaiah 33 tells us about the Christians privileges which are four in numbers.
1. Our position in Christ: Verse 16 tells us that the Christian “Shall dwell on high.” It means as mentioned in Ephesians 2:6, the moment we are born again we are placed in a new and wonderful position in Christ. Once we were in Adam and we died but when we accepted Christ we were made alive- 1 Cor. 15:22; in Christ we have become new- 2 Cor. 5:17; We are heavenly people, citizens of heaven- Ephe. 1:3; Phi. 3:20; and right here and now God wants us, and has made provisions for us, to “dwell on high.” Yet many of us prefer to live on earth’s level and fail to rise up into the enjoyment of the fullness of life and blessings that are ours in Christ. God desires us to live like His children but we live like spiritual paupers. In fact we are “heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ- 1 John 3:1; Rom 8:17.
2. Our protection in Christ: “His place of defense shall be the munitions of rocks”- verse 16. Here is our protection- Col 3:3; Ps 91:1. Every Christian lives a protected life. Physically? Yes, for nothing can happen to a Christian apart from God’s permission. Not that a Christian is free from trouble, trial, accident, sickness and death, but it does mean that nothing just happens to the believer- read Rom 8:28. The Lord is our shepherd.
3. Our provision in Christ: “bread shall be given him; his waters shall be sure”- verse 16. For the sustenance of the new life, God gives us bread and water. God gives all the material needs- the need of food- Ps 23:1; Ps 34:10; Phi 4:19. Spiritual blessings are also provided- Eph 1:3; John 6:35.
In Christ the Christians have:
• A life that can never be forfeited- John 10:28.
• A relationship that can never be broken- Gal 3:26.
• A righteousness which can never be tarnished- 2 Cor 5:21.
• A peace which can never be destroyed- Eph 2:14.
• An acceptance which can never be questioned- Eph 1:6
• An inheritance which can never fade- 1 Peter 1:4
• A tribe which can never be disputed- Rev 1:6.
4. Our prospect in Christ: “Thine eyes shall see the king in his beauty; they shall behold the land that is very far off”. What a glorious prospect! Read Job 19:25-27. Two fold prospects- we shall see the place (Heaven); and we shall meet and live with the Lord Jesus- 1 john 3:2. The greatest privilege for the Christians is that the Lord Jesus has made them kings and priests unto God to prepare the kingdom of God on earth. Do the Christians hear the orchestrated cry against them by the “organizers of the Shabri Kumbh led- the 60,000 crying…”I will save my religion….” This is the voice of the Gat giant. Is there a David in the Church?
R. C. Chiten Jamir
