Larry Siegle · Isaiah 55:1-13
(Isaiah 55:1-13)
Thesis: What areas of our lives do we need to ‘let God prevail’?
INTRODUCTION
1. The title of this message is, “Let God Prevail Because God will Prevail”.
2. The Bible is a narrative of HIS-story–about the fall of humanity and the
process of restoration of the broken relationship that was lost through the
entrance of sin and disobedience and the terrible consequences that were to
follow.
3. The OT follows the story of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and it is Jacob and his
sons who grow into becoming the tribes of Israel.
a. With Abraham, the “seed” was to come, not through Ishmael, but Isaac as the “son of promise” (Rom. 9:9; Gal. 4:23).
b. With Isaac, the “seed” was to come through one of the twins of Rebekah, Jacob, not Esau (Rom. 9:10-13).
1) Jacob and Esau were “womb-mates” but Esau was the firstborn and yet
Jacob his twin brother grabbed his heel (Gen. 25:26).
2) Jacob and Esau, even before they were born were seen as two nations.
3) We all know the story of how Esau sold his birthright for a pot of stew,
and later Rebekah and Jacob fooled Isaac at the time the “blessing” was
pronounced (Gen. 27).
4) Jacob encountered God and wanted to receive a “blessing” and wrestled
with God until the break of day (Gen. 32:28).
4. The name of Jacob was changed to Israel and according to some Hebrew
scholars, one of variations of meaning is ‘let God prevail’–Jacob ‘prevailed’
and therefore ‘God prevailed’ and he became the father of Israel (the tribes).
SONG OF ASSURANCE
1. The prophet Isaiah in about 706 BCE, after having given the picture of the
“suffering servant” of what Christ came into the world as the “lamb of God”
(John 1:29) to accomplish in bringing about redemption, reconciliation, and
redemption, gives a joyful and triumphant word to the people and the
invitation to come to God to receive freely the deliverance and gift of salvation
(Isa. 55:1-3), with the promise of the “everlasting covenant” (Heb. 13;20)
a. The invitation is to surrender and to “let God prevail”–no matter who we
are, whatever our situation or circumstances (Acts 10:34, 35, 43).
b. The gospel is for “all”–God is no ‘face receiver’ (race, male or female, rich
or poor, tall or short)–the benefits are available for everyone (Gal. 3:26-
28).
c. God extends His hand toward those who are “thirsty” those who look at “things” to satisfy their desires that only relationship with God can bring to
satisfaction with joy–His abundance is true abundance (John 10:10).
GOD CALLS OUT TO THOSE WHO WILL LISTEN
1. God looks into the hearts of the lonely and downtrodden and invites them to
come and to “hear” (listen) and receive HIS “life” for the innermost parts of
their being.
2. The people are told to “seek the Lord while He may be found” (vs 6) and to
“call upon Him while He is near”–in the life of a person there comes a time
when God can no longer be “found” and He is no longer “near”–life ends and
his destiny is determined (Heb. 3:13, 14)–as we reject the knowledge of God
our hearts become hardened to the gospel of Christ–and it grieves the heart
of God (Rev. 22:17).
3. ‘Let God Prevail’ in every area of our hearts and lives–He wants to “gather”
His people into the Kingdom.
GOD’S CALL TO REPENTANCE
1. God calls out to the world to repent–and return to the Lord to receive the
mercy of God and for God to pardon–the provision of forgiveness (v. 7)
2. In the case of Old Covenant Israel, they did not listen, did not repent, did not
return to God–except for a “remnant” (Rom. 11:3; Joel 2:32).
3. For those who have chosen wickedness and a life of rebellion against God,
they do not think as God thinks, nor do they consider the very essence of
God’s Word (v. 8, 9)
a. If we want God’s blessing, there must be surrender to ‘let God prevail’ and
to do His work on the insides of each of us.
b. We cannot afford to become ‘myopic’ (near-sighted) in our thinking but to
look toward God’s purpose and His love and provision for our happiness in
this life–we need the eternal perspective in our lives.
GOD PREVAILS BECAUSE HIS WORD NEVER RETURNS EMPTY
1. Isaiah reminds the people that God never speaks an “empty” word that fails
to accomplish His Divine purpose (v. 11)
2. Not everyone will accept what the Word of God offers to them, unwilling to
‘let God prevail’ but the freedom of the human will allows God’s Word always
prevails.
3. So many people around us miss the Divine potential that God has place
within each of us created in His “image”–and we must take the gospel to all
and to everyone around us who has not entered into covenant relationship
with God.
CONCLUSION
1. Are we willing to ‘let God prevail’ in every area of our lives today?
2. Are we willing to understand the depth and importance of the covenant
relationship into which we have entered as children of God?
3. Are we willing to reach out to those who once knew God and were faithful
members of the Lord’s church, but somehow have become lost along the way?
4. Are we willing to have the faith and courage to ‘let God prevail’ in our lives to
strengthen us in our daily decisions, the choices we make, how we spend our
time and our thoughts, words, and actions?
5. Are we willing to spend time in His Word, in prayer, in becoming bold in our
desire to share the gospel with those who are hurting (Rev. 22:1, 2).
Outline (Word document): Let_God_Prevail.docx