Paul’s great Maxim comes to mind this morning! “But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound.” Romans 5:20

Isaiah chapter 48 clearly illustrates this Principle. Its 22 verses discuss both Israel’s sin (Judah’s actually.) Then in juxtaposition, God’s amazing Grace!

Let’s glance first at Judah’s stubborn ways, elucidated in verses 1-5. They … “swear by the name of the LORD, and make mention of the God of Israel, but not in truth, nor in righteousness.” No longer are they a people of “truth” or “righteousness!” (That disobedience is exactly what brought on the Babylonian Captivity!)

There’s more: “Thou art obstinate, and thy neck is an iron sinew, and thy brow brass.” Hard-headed! And so hard-hearted too!

Wow!

But then, suddenly, in verse 9 God thunders: “For my name’s sake will I defer mine anger, and for my praise will I refrain for thee, that I cut thee not off.”

Grace!

By verse 17 the blessings have multiplied exponentially! “Thus saith the LORD, thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; I am the LORD thy God which teacheth thee to profit, which leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldest go.”

Thrilling!

Then God laments, grieves over the past sins of Judah! “O that thou hadst hearkened to my commandments! then had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea.” Verse 18, what touching Pathos!

Then, as if some in Judah still would NOT repent … “There is no peace, saith the LORD, unto the wicked.” The chapter’s last verse, number 22.

As if … refuse God’s Grace, and assuredly, fierce judgment awaits!

I’ll say more about this fascinating chapter tomorrow, the Lord willing. But it is arranged beautifully!

The horrid darkness of sin … set in contradistinction to … the glorious Brightness (Brilliance)  of God’s Grace, Mercy and Love!

Hallelujah!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

We all might take a minute this morning, and thank God for His Grace in our lives, a Gift from Him indeed!

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