A PRAYER FOR SPIRITUAL REVIVAL
Isaiah 64:1-2. Oh that Thou wouldst rend the heavens, that Thou wouldst come down, &c.
It is not into the mouth of every Israelite that the prophet puts this prayer: only the true-hearted, believing remnant could offer it. Selfish grovelling souls can, perhaps, ask certain blessings from God,—health when they are sick, bread when they are hungry, deliverance when they are in danger; but that God Himself should come down is a thing which they can neither desire nor endure. They can be satisfied with what is beneath the heavens, while the desires of the godly aspire to what is above the heavens. How is it with us? May the Holy Spirit elevate our desires, and teach us that our true blessedness lies in the answer to this great petition. Whether for ourselves, the Church, or the world at large, it expresses the most urgent need.
I. THE BLESSING WHICH IT CRAVES. A repetition of God’s former acts in their behalf (Isaiah 63:8-14); some manifest Divine intervention. It had long seemed as if He had withdrawn His presence, and they pray that these darkened heavens that hung over them like a pall, might be rent for a disclosure of His majesty and saving power. Is not this also our need? To the Spirit’s gracious influences we must ascribe those times of refreshing, which come in answer to fervent prayer (Acts 1:8 and others).
II. THE PLEAS BY WHICH THE PRAYER IS SUPPORTED.
1. Former mercies (Isaiah 63:15).
2. A close and endearing relation is pleaded (Isaiah 63:16).
3. The disobedience and unbelief of the great mass of the nation (Isaiah 63:17).
4. The rapacity of their adversaries (Isaiah 63:18-19).
III. THE EFFECTS WHICH ITS ANSWER INVOLVES. “The mountains” of difficulty and opposition shall be levelled into smoothness; every anti-Christian power shall be weakened and destroyed. We are often hindered and thwarted in our work for God by huge mountain masses that rear their giant forms right in front of us, and seem insurmountable, rendered all the greater by the unbelieving fears and faint-heartedness of fellow—workers. But let God come down, and they are removed (Zechariah 4:7). This Divine interposition is also compared to the twofold action of fire in its destructive and beneficent effects (Isaiah 64:2, Revised Version). In spring we see fires blazing in fields and gardens, burning up the worthless prunings and brushwood, that the operations of husbandry may go forward. So, when God comes down, all that is evil, all that opposes the progress of the truth within us and around us is consumed (Luke 12:49; Malachi 3:2-3).—William Guthrie, M.A.
Isaiah 64:1. THE POWER THAT REMOVES DIFFICULTIES. This is a cry for help and deliverance coming from the Church in the midst of conscious difficulties. Those difficulties produced by a general abandonment of God (Isaiah 63:10; Isaiah 64:5-7). The remedy is found only in calling upon God, and obtaining a display of His wondrous power. The text implies—
I. That there are great difficulties encompassing the people of God.
Here compared to “mountains,” because of their formidable attitude and strength.
1. Difficulties arising from the active opposition of the Church’s enemies, organised and instigated by the great enemy of mankind.
2. Difficulties arising from the magnitude of the work committed to the Church. How vast all the interests at stake and the responsibility involved. Low, weak, and incapable the human instruments: how disastrous is failure!
3. Difficulties arising from ourselves. Our mistakes, unwatchfulness, unfaithfulness, follies, create our own worst entanglements.
4. Difficulties arising from a common source—sin. This severs our connection with Divine power, and forfeits the Divine approval (Isaiah 64:7). All is gone—hope, help, happiness—when God is absent!
II. That difficulties vanish when God puts forth His power.
1. God puts forth His power in bestowing imposing revelations of Himself. Here referred to as “rending the heavens;” “coming down.”
2. In defeating the Church’s enemies. “The mountains flow down at His presence.”
III. The Power of God removes difficulties when His people cry unto Him.
1. This is a cry of penitence. It involves a confession of unfaithfulness, of sin, of baffled endeavours, of helplessness.
2. This is a cry of faith.
(1) Faith in God’s power to remove difficulties, or we should never pray.
(2) Faith in God’s willingness, or we should not persevere in prayer. Earnest, believing, importunate prayer opens the heavens, brings God near, and conquers every mountain of difficulty.—G. Barlow.
Isaiah 64:1-3. I. Some of the obstacles to the prosperity and happiness of the Church. II. The power of God to remove them. Signally. Unexpectedly. Effectually. III. The encouragement He has given us to believe He will remove them. IV. The necessity of soliciting His help and interposition.—J. Lyth, D.D.
Isaiah 64:4-8. I. The transcendent excellency of the Divine purpose respecting His people. II. The principles on which this purpose proceeds. Righteousness. Justice. Mercy. III. The utter want of merit in us. We have sinned. Our very righteousness is polluted. Our nature is frail—because of iniquity. IV. The humble determination to submit ourselves now to the will of God.
Isaiah 64:4. I. The characters described. They wait for God—in faith, hope, obedience. II. The blessedness prepared for them. Surpasses all human experience and expectation. Is only known to God.—J. Lyth, D.D.
GOD’S SPECIAL REGARD FOR HIS PEOPLE
Isaiah 64:5. Thou meetest him that rejoiceth and worketh righteousness, &c.
The most weighty and important of all inquiries must be those which relate to our acceptance with God, and to that description of character which He will approve, &c. The text is a comprehensive description of the character of the people of God.
I. The attributes of character by which the servants of God are known.
1. By their patient waiting for God (Isaiah 64:4). None but those who wait love; none but those who love wait.
2. By their love of righteousness.
3. By their devout remembrance of God. They remember God in the ways of His providence and grace.
4. By their fixed adherence to their principles in times of discouragement and declension.
II. The special favour with which God regards them. However they fail in securing the sympathy of men, they are assured of the effectual and sustaining sympathy of God. He meets them—
1. In the gracious promises of His Word—assuring them of protection, of guidance, of support.
2. In the ordinances of His appointment. The ministry of the Word, the secret exercises of devotion, &c.
3. In the events of His providence.
4. In the season of departure from earth to heaven.
CONCLUSION.—
1. If such be the privileges of the righteous how anxious should we be to be enrolled among their number.
2. If such be the greatness and glory of God how formidable must it be to stand in enmity against Him. All resistance is vain. Be wise! Lay down the weapons of your warfare at the cross of your Redeemer.—Samuel Thodey.
I. The people whom God regards. II. The grace which God displays.—S. Thodey.