ESOCS Devotional 2 January 2022
TEXT: ISAIAH 62:1-12
MEMORY VERSE:
“Thou shalt also be a crown of glory in the hand of the LORD and a royal diadem in the hand of thy God.” Isaiah 62:3
A crown is for the head, to be worn upon the head by a king; but here, the church in captivity, even the righteous in that church are said to be a crown of glory and a royal diadem in the hand of God.
The prophet earlier spoke of the Lord as “a crown of glory and a diadem of beauty, unto the residue of his people” (Isa. 28:5). While “the crown of pride of Ephraim was trodden under foot” because of sin, God would give Judah eminent glory and beauty and so it was in the days of the righteous Hezekiah.
A crown of glory in the hand of the LORD speaks first of all, of the dignity of the righteous Church and of the dignity of the righteous in the Church. They are:-
- A dignity unto the LORD. He is proud of His righteous children for in their righteousness the LORD boasts, as He did with Job (Job. 1:8).
- By righteousness the Church and the righteous in it have dignity with men. Truly “Righteousness exalteth a nation but sin is a reproach to any people” (Prov. 14:34). The Prophet also said “in righteousness shalt thou be established” (Isa. 54:14).
- The righteous is honourable in the sight of God. He is dear and precious as a crown and as jewel unto God.
- As a crown is jealously protected from thieves and damage, so the righteous is in the hand of God for protection. The Almighty will not give room to Satan to kill Job nor corrupt his ways. God preserves the righteous.
- If those in captivity of sin and Satan by reason of their affliction turn again unto the Lord in repentance and righteousness, He would deliver them out of their captivity also and make for them a highway for escape (v 10), as He made way for the Church to come out of Babylon.
- The righteous is greatly admired and highly respected, or even feared by men, especially by men in authority. So Saul greatly feared the Prophet Samuel.
Would you have any of the above benefits? Then, let your righteousness go forth as brightness. Let heaven and all men see and testify of your righteousness. Be a shining example of the believer, so shall you be a crown of glory and a royal diadem in the hand of the Almighty.
Beyond living righteously, let us also, like Isaiah, resolve not to be tired of declaring the gospel of Christ unto the nations. Let us continue in prayers, speaking to God for His people and speaking from God to men.
- Is there any sinful habit that is still a clog in the wheel of your spirituality?
- Say this simple prayer: Lord, I confess my inability to live righteously before you. Be merciful unto me for I have believed in your Holy Son, Jesus Christ as my Savior.
- Cleanse me with His righteous blood and input His righteousness unto me, I pray through Jesus Christ my Lord.
Read Other ESOCS Devotional here
FURTHER READING: Isaiah 42: 10-17; 1 John. 1:1-2: 6; 1 Corinthians 2:1-16
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ESOCS Devotional 2 January 2022
