Tuesday - Isaiah 33 - Who Has It... and How did They Get It?

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SAIAH 33:14-17 closely resembles Psalm 15:1-5 & 24:3-6. What a grave question each passage aims to handle! Who qualifies to “stand in His holy place?"  Who is accepted & acceptable?  What does it take? What is required? Who has it, & how did they get it?

We should all consider this issue seriously. Thankfully, we aren't left in the dark in this chapter. A tremendous gospel message is included. Isaiah 33:22 makes it clear, "The LORD is our judge, the LORD is our lawgiver, the LORD is our king; He will save us." Amazing! Having all jurisdiction; having issued all edicts; having the authority and power to execute all justice... He executes justice on His own back and offers salvation to the guilty. He who could rightfully demand justice alone, extends unforeseeable mercy (Isaiah 33:24). In short, the only way to gain access into God's presence is to be perfect; holy; godly. Yet, for that to happen, a great transaction called "justification" must occur, because nobody has ever measured up to the standards described by either David, Isaiah, or Moses.

We are guilty... plain and simple. Not only that, we are the initiators of our own guilt (Isaiah 33:1).  We are deserving of hell, and are in desperate need of God's grace (Isaiah 33:2). We are at His mercy. Our destiny is first and foremost at His discretion.  We must wait for Him.  If we are to be rescued, He must be our salvation.  He is strong enough to do it.  He is good enough to do it.  And, above all, He is willing to do it. Despite the fact that we have been overrun by evil, and have joined ourselves to it willingly, He desires to save us. He longs to bring us back to Himself.