Isaiah 59:9-11

Therefore is judgment far from us

Dejection and trouble the outcome of sin

The sorrow and dejection of the people is depicted in striking and pathetic images.

It is the better mind of the community which is here expressed--its intense desire for the fulfilment of the Divine promises, its weariness through hope deferred making the heart sick. (Prof. J. Skinner, D. D.)

A sad sequence

“Therefore,”--on account of these sins and disorders, and not on account of Jehovah’s remissness (Isaiah 59:1). (Ibid.)

We wait for light

Help for seekers of the light

I. DESCRIPTIVE.

1. These persons are in some degree aware of their natural darkness. They are looking for light.

2. They have a high idea of what the light is. “Brightness.

3. They have some hope that they may yet obtain this light; in fact they are waiting for it, hopefully waiting.

4. They are such as have learned to plead their case with God, for our text is a complaint addressed to the Lord Himself.

5. The person I am desirous of comforting is quite willing to lay bare his heart before God, to confess his desires whether right or wrong, and to expose his condition whether healthy or sound.

II. ASSISTANCE. It shall be my happy task to assist into the light those who would fain flee from the darkness. We will do so by trying to answer the query, “How is it that I, being desirous of light, have not found it yet?”

1. You may have been seeking the light in the wrong place. You may have been the victim of the false doctrine that peace with God can be found in the use of ceremonies. It is possible, too, that you have been looking for salvation in the mere belief of a certain creed. You have thought that if you could discover pure orthodoxy, and could then consign your soul into its mould, you would be a saved man.

2. You may have sought it in the wrong spirit. Some appear to deal with God as if He were bound to give salvation; as if salvation, indeed, were the inevitable result of a round of performances, or the deserved reward of a certain amount of virtue.

3. Others have not obtained peace because they have not yet a clear idea of the true way of finding it. What thou hast to do is but to accept what Jesus has finished.

4. Perhaps thou hast not found light because thou hast sought it in a half-hearted manner.

5. Is it not possible that there may be some sin within thee which thou art harbouring to thy soul’s peril?

6. It may be that you have only sought peace with God occasionally.

7. The great reason, after all, why earnest souls do not get speedy rest lies in this, that they are disobedient to the one plain Gospel precept, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, etc.

III. A few words by way of AROUSING. What an unhappy state is thine! You have been in the dark year after year, when the sun is shining, the sweet flowers arc blooming, and everything waiting to lead thee forth with gladness. What joys you lose by being an unbeliever! What sin you are daily committing! for you are daffy an unbeliever! Unless Jesus Christ be your shield and help you are undone!

IV. ENCOURAGEMENT. There are many around you who have trusted Jesus and found light. They once suffered your disappointments, but have now found rest to their souls. (C. H. Spurgeon.)