Isaiah 26:8

Yea, in the way of Thy Judgments, O Lord, have we waited for Thee

God’s people waiting for Him in the way of His judgments

I. THE WORDS CONTAIN A SOLEMN PROTESTATION--a protestation, on the part of these faithful people of the Lord, to Himself, in reference to His “judgments.” “Yea,” say they, “Verily Thou, O Divine Searcher of hearts, knowest that we lie not, when we declare that in the way of Thy judgments we have waited for Thee.” What a happy state of mind and heart is this! There may be a multiplication of observances, lastings, solemn assemblies, where, on the part of multitudes, there is nothing but form.

II. THESE GODLY JEWS SPEAK TO THE LORD OF HIS “JUDGMENTS.” If a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without. Thy knowledge and permission, how much more is Thy agency to be traced in those mighty desolations that have moved the earth, and come down with such appalling fury on the land of Thine own people!

III. THESE GODLY PEOPLE, IN THEIR SINNING AND CHASTENED LAND, SPEAK TO GOD OF “THE WAY” OF HIS JUDGMENTS. We read of Jehovah’s

“way” in a gracious sense--His way of mercy to lost sinners--the wondrous and glorious path along which He has passed, and is still passing, in saving sinners of our fallen race through the atonement of His own beloved incarnate Son (Psalms 67:1). Blessed, most blessed, are they who are Divinely taught this “way” of the Lord! A far other “way” of Judah’s God is that to which her mourning children refer in the verse before us. It is His judicial way--the wrathful way in which He is provoked to “come out of His place,” and move towards highly favoured but deeply sinning and guilty lands.

IV. Let us contemplate and imitate the exercise of this “small remnant” of the fearers of the Lord in the land of Judah. THEY WAITED FOR HIM IN THE WAY OF HIS JUDGMENTS. What are the elements which should enter into the exercise to which we are this day called?

1. Solemn recognition of God.

2. Solemn adoration of this high and holy Lord God.

3. Justification of God.

4. Humiliation of soul before God.

5. Pouring out the heart in earnest supplication before the Lord. (W. Mackray, M. A.)

The right improvement of public or private calamities

I. IN EVERY AFFLICTIVE DISPENSATION OF DIVINE PROVIDENCE IT BECOMES US TO RECOGNISE THE HAND OF THE LORD. They are “Thy” judgments. In doing this we imitate the example of the wise and good in every age.

II. EVERY CALAMITY, WHETHER PRIVATE OR PUBLIC, SHOULD BE CONSIDERED AS A MANIFESTATION OF THE DIVINE DISPLEASURE AGAINST SIN. They are Thy “judgments.”

III. IN EVERY CALAMITY THE MIND OF THE BELIEVER SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO GOD. “The desire of our soul is to Thy name, and to the remembrance of Thee.”

1. This part of the passage expresses the most anxious solicitude that the Divine glory might be promoted by all the dispensations of His providence towards the children of men.

2. This part of our text seems to intimate also to whom the afflicted believer should apply for support. “The desire of our soul is to Thy name, and to the remembrance of Thee.”

3. This part of our text exhibits the believer finding a source of encouragement under present trouble, or in the anticipation of future difficulties, in a reference to his former experience of the power, the faithfulness and grace of his covenant God. “The desire of our soul is to the remembrance of Thee.”

IV. IN CIRCUMSTANCES OF AFFLICTION, WHETHER PRIVATE OR PUBLIC, IT IS THE DUTY AND PRIVILEGE OF THE BELIEVER TO BE FOUND WAITING UPON GOD. “In the way of Thy judgments have we waited for Thee, O God.” The verb “to wait,” as used in the text, denotes desire, expectation, patience, and perseverance. Learn--

1. That it is an evil thing and bitter to sin against God.

2. The infinite value of that system, which opens the way for the sinful creature to return to God, with the certain hope of being pardoned, adopted, and eternally blessed.

3. Let the sinner he exhorted to seek that Divine blessing which turns the curse into a blessing.

4. Let the believer labour to live in the exercise of the high and glorious privilege--waiting on God. (Essex Congregational Remembrancer.)

Christians, and their communion with God

(with Isaiah 26:9):--

I. THERE IS, IN THE PEOPLE OF GOD, A PRINCIPLE OF COMMUNION WITH GOD.

1. This is where their spiritual life begins.

2. This is where the life of the real Christian grows.

3. It becomes to the believer the tenor of his life to please God.

4. This principle of communion with God becomes the very flower of our lives.

5. This is the hunger and thirst of the Christian.

6. This proves that there has been a Divine renewal wrought in us.

7. This proves your sonship.

8. This proves your holiness, too, in a measure, for like will to like.

9. This proves your heavenliness, too, for that same desire which draws you to God is drawing you to Heaven.

II. THIS PRINCIPLE DISPLAYS ITSELF AND WORKS IN VARIOUS WAYS. “Yea, in the way of Thy judgments,” etc. We are longing for God, and it is dark and cloudy. What shall we do then?

1. Why, wait for Him. Sometimes, the way of God’s judgments may mean the appointed way, the regular way. Whenever thou hast a great trouble, expect a great mercy.

2. This communion leads to desiring. The desire of our soul, etc.

3. Your desire is to remember the Lord. “And to the remembrance of Thee.” I wish that I had a memory that was so narrow that it could only hold the things of God.

4. This principle of communion shows itself in a personal yearning. The eighth verse is in the plural, the ninth in the singular.

5. This principle of communion takes one other form, that of personal seeking. “Yea, with my spirit within me,” etc.

III. THE LORD TAKES PLEASURE IN THIS COMMUNION WITH HIS PEOPLE (Isaiah 26:20). (C. H. Spurgeon.)

The desire of our soul is to Thy name

The desire of the renewed soul

What is personal religion, and what is personal evidence of it? One single word, in my text is a key to all--“desire.” The sum and substance of a believer’s longings towards God is to know more of God, to enjoy more of God, to live more upon the fulness of the Son of God, and to become abstracted from all but God Himself. A sound creed is contained in these three things: I am a guilty wretch, deserving hell; Jesus is everything I want, for time and for eternity; I am His, and He is mine. Now, keeping this in view, let us descant upon--

I. THE OBJECT OF THE REGENERATED SOUL’S DESIRE. Look at this as it relates to the Holy Three in One. The soul may be longing for another sight of his Bible. But why? Because he longs to meet with God there. He may be longing to hear another Gospel sermon. Why? Because it sets forth the perfections of the God he loves, and therefore he expects to meet Him there. He may be longing for another ordinance day. Why? Because Jesus is often made known to him in “breaking of bread.” And so whatever means and ordinances are used, whatever externals are laid before the child of God and employed by him, it is not these that will satisfy him. It is God in them. I pass on to show--

II. WHAT WEANING WORK IS ESSENTIAL TO THIS. Until there is a great deal of weaning in the Christian’s experience there will not be a very great deal of spirituality.

III. THE NEGOTIATIONS THAT ARISE OUT OF THIS. If the earnest desire of my soul is after the enjoyment of God, I cannot grow careless about using means (J. Irons.)