Isaiah has been reminding us of the devastating effects of sin. We rejoice that Jesus came to set us free from its hold, and cleanse us from its filth. If we’re tempted to think any sin is cute, remember it sent Jesus to the cross. That’s how horrific sin is. It leads to destruction and demands death. Romans 6:23 says,
“For the wages of sin is death,
but the free gift of God
is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
What amazing news! Think about that as we read Isaiah 4:4,
“…when the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion
and cleansed the bloodstains of Jerusalem from its midst
by a spirit of judgment and by a spirit of burning.”
How? First, by the spirit of judgment. God is just, and the punishment for sin is death. Jesus died in our place, taking our sin on Himself, so that we could be just before God. Let that soak in as we read Romans 5:8,
“…but God shows his love for us
in that while we were still sinners,
Christ died for us.”
That is amazing love. Isaiah 4:4 also says this washing and purging is accomplished by the spirit of burning. The same God who provides warmth of heart and refining for His own, destroys evil. Hebrews 12:28-29 says,
“Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken,
and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe,
for our God is a consuming fire.”
Let us be grateful indeed.
Washing. Purging. Paid in full. Free gift. Eternal life. Genuine love. Christ died in our place. Refining fire. An unshakable Kingdom.
Lord, thank You.