“He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the Lord hath spoken it. And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this our God; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation” (KJV, Is. 25:7-8).
“He will swallow up death”
Father, I thank You for the opportunities You give me to pray. Help me to be concerned about my prayer life and remember my need for You. Sometimes I can go through my day thinking I do not need to pray. However, I am quickly reminded of my need for You as my heart grows dull and living for You gets hard. Please forgive me for this tendency of mine.
I am encouraged today that although sin came into the world through man and death through sin, this is not the end of the story. When Adam took the fruit and ate, the world became a cursed place. He chose that day whom he would serve, and it was not You. As a result, sin and death entered the world, and now I cannot live for You as I should.
However, You have made a way through Jesus Christ to conquer death, and for that, I am thankful.
“in victory”
Jesus has swallowed up death in victory. Help me always to remember that my victory is only had in Jesus Christ. He is the triumphant King. He is the stronger man that has bound the enemy and cast him away from me. Your Word states, “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through Jesus Christ” (1 Cor. 15:55-57). Thank You, Father, for always leading me in triumphal procession through the fragrance of Him Who called me.
“and the Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces”
I am aware that this life comes with many trials of faith. I see this in Your Word and my personal experience. While there may be days of ease, there are also crosses to bear. Jesus told me that if I would be His disciple, I must deny myself and pick up my cross daily. Living the crucified life is a daily reality. I must never think I am traveling the road of Jesus if I do not bear my cross.
The cross was an instrument of death. The cross hurt and inflicted pain. However, the cross was the way to glory. Jesus died before He rose. So must I die before I rise. Living the crucified life is not an end but a means to an end. Make me like Jesus. Help me to endure and persevere, knowing that for the joy set before Him, Jesus endured the cross.
Please help me to have an eternal perspective and recognize the day will come when my efforts will be rewarded. The day will come when all things are made new, and suffering and sin will be no more. Your Word has told me, “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes: and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away” (Rev. 21:4). Thank You for Your promises in Your Word.
“and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth”
Father, I am also encouraged that it will be known that Jesus is truly the King of kings in due time. Jesus has come to the earth and died for man. However, many did not receive Him or believe in His name. Instead, He was killed by the ones He came to save. The story is rather tragic, but at the same time, it is my redemptive story, and in Christ’s death, I find life.
But the words of Christ are clear. I will be met with tribulation in this life, but I can take heart because my Savior has overcome the world. If I am persecuted in this life, it is not me that is ultimately being persecuted but Christ in me. If I were of the world, the world would love me, but I am not. However, one day You will take away the reproach; thank You.
“for the Lord hath spoken it”
Father, You have spoken; as a result, I can believe and find my foundation. Your Word is true, and I must build my house upon it. Jesus told me of the wise and foolish builder. He said that the foolish builder heard His words, but instead, the foolish builder built his house on the sand. So please help me to be like the wise builder. He listened to the words of Christ and built his house upon the rock.
There are a lot of competing thoughts, theories, ideas, and philosophies. Many claim to know the way to God and how to live. However, it cannot be true if what is said does not align with Your Word. Your Word is truth; You have said it and cannot lie.
“And it shall be said in that day”
Thank You for the promises You have made in Your Word. Thank you for speaking through Your prophets and telling of the events yet to come. I am again encouraged by the reliability of Your Word. You told of many events, and they happened down to the letter.
You told of the duration of Israel’s captivity as sentry years, which was fulfilled as You said. You told of the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple in great detail, and it happened as You spoke. You told of the coming Messiah throughout the Old Testament, and I can see Your promises fulfilled in the New.
May I now look ahead with great expectation that Jesus will return? You have told me of His second coming. You have stated that Jesus will ultimately defeat death when He comes the second time. You have said, “And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him” (Rev. 22:3).
“Lo, this our God”
You are my God, and there is no other. The Egyptians served many false gods, but that is all they were. They were not real gods, but elsewhere in Scripture, I am told they were demonic forces. The gods of the Philistines and Assyrians were not gods but instead demonic forces as well. Teach me to look to You alone. Jesus is the way, truth, and life; I cannot get to You apart from Him.
“we have waited for him”
Father, I also pray that You would teach me the discipline of waiting on You. Sometimes I can grow weak and think You should answer my call quickly. Sometimes I think that something is wrong if You do not quickly supply me with strength. However, through the prophet Isaiah, You have told me that You give strength to those who wait upon you. Then I will mount up on the wings of eagles. Elsewhere David said, “I waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry” (Ps. 40:1). So help me to be patient as I wait upon You.
“we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation”
You have given me many reasons to be glad and rejoice in Your victory and salvation. I was dead in my sins and trespasses, but You made me alive with Christ. I strayed like a lost sheep, but the Good Shepherd rescued me. I was an enemy of You, but You sought me out as though I was a friend. I was guilty before the Judge of all the Earth, but You acquitted me of my charges. Bless Your holy name. You deserve of endless praise for all You have done through Your Son. In Jesus’ name, Amen.