There is an urgency about the things of God which makes half-heartedness, apathy, and indifference intolerable. Our Savior said, "The kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force" (Matt. 11:12). That simply means – Spiritual business is urgent business. Eternal matters are urgent matters. No one has ever been saved who was not urgent about his soul's welfare. God Almighty is urgent in the accomplishment of his purposes. And sinners under the conviction of sin are urgent in the pursuit of his grace. Isaiah 62 displays this holy urgency.
Let's read the chapter together – Isaiah 62:1-12.This passage of Scripture, like so many we have seen in the book of Isaiah, refers to the deliverance of the Jews out of Babylon. But that deliverance was designed and brought to pass by our God to portray and typify the great redemption of our souls wrought out by the Lord Jesus Christ and our deliverance from sin and death by the power of his grace. The Lord God is urgent about this matter. And he would have us to be urgent about it. The title of my message tonight is found in verse 7 – "Give Him No Rest."
Proposition: God's determination is the everlasting salvation of his people for the glory of his name; and that must be our determination too. Divisions:I. In verses 1-5 the Holy Spirit reveals The Work Purposed, the work which God has purposed to do from eternity.
There is some question about whether the person speaking in these verses is the Lord God himself or his prophet. Nothing in the context makes it clear who is speaking. However, in the context of Holy Scripture, we may properly read these words as coming from the mouth of God himself or from the mouth of his prophet.
A. God's purpose in this world is the full, glorious salvation of his elect and the everlasting, public display of our salvation for the glory of his name. Our God is a God of purpose; and his purpose is our salvation.
NOTE: Not a crown of glory and royal diadem upon his head, but in his hand – we add nothing to God's glory and beauty – But he makes us both glorious and beautiful!
B. If we understand these to be God's own words, we must be utterly amazed by this fact – The Lord God Almighty is urgent about the business of saving his People!
He says, "I will not hold my peace… I will not rest," until my purpose is accomplished.NOTE: Everything God does is for the sake of his people – "For Zion's sake." "For Jerusalem's sake!"
C. If we understand these as being the words of God's prophet – We have before us a clear example of what a preacher should be – A Man Devoted to The Purpose of God, The People of God, and The Glory of God.
II. Secondly, in verses 6-9 The Lord God speaks to his people about his servants as The Watchmen Placed by him upon the walls of Jerusalem.
Though we have been robbed by satan, stripped by sin, and condemned by God's holy law, in Christ we have all and shall enjoy all the fulness of grace and glory in the courts of his holiness.
III. Thirdly, the message we are sent to preach, the work God's servants are sent into this world to perform is not at all ambiguous, but perfectly clear. Verses 10-12 show us The Word Proclaimed.
God's servants are preachers. That's their calling that is their duty. And that is their delight. A. We are to show sinners the way (v. 10).As a result of his obedience to God as our Surety, God's elect shall be saved with an everlasting salvation. And these are the names by which we shall be called.
1. "The Holy People."*