The Grands Letter (Isa/GLJ)

Dear Grands,

Isaiah 52:4-12, “For thus says the Lord God, “My people went down at the first into Egypt to reside there, then the Assyrian oppressed them without cause.

5 “Now therefore, what do I have here,” declares the LORD, “seeing that My people have been taken away without cause?” Again the LORD declares, “Those who rule over them howl, and My name is continually blasphemed all day long.

6 “Therefore My people shall know My name; therefore in that day I am the one who is speaking, ‘Here I am.'”

7 How lovely on the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who announces peace and brings good news of happiness, who announces salvation, and says to Zion, “Your God reigns!”

8 Listen! Your watchmen lift up their voices, they shout joyfully together; for they will see with their own eyes when the LORD restores Zion.

9 Break forth, shout joyfully together, you waste places of Jerusalem; for the LORD has comforted His people, He has redeemed Jerusalem.

10 The LORD has bared His holy arm in the sight of all the nations, that all the ends of the earth may see the salvation of our God.

11 Depart, depart, go out from there, touch nothing unclean; go out of the midst of her, purify yourselves, you who carry the vessels of the LORD.

12 But you will not go out in haste, nor will you go as fugitives; for the LORD will go before you, and the God of Israel will be your rear guard.”

This long passage emphasizes what the LORD’s people should be, knowing that the LORD Himself is always with us, as He was with the people who went into Egypt.

The LORD rails in holiness against those who have done evil to His people. He is always present to support those who give open allegiance to Him. “Here I am,” He says! We often cower in the presence of those who oppose Him. Yet, He cries, “Here I am!” And that should be sufficient to smother all of our fears. He encourages us to rejoice! “…shout joyfully together…for the LORD will go before us, and the God of Israel will be our rear guard.” Praise the LORD! He is always with us when we are with Him.

Heartily in Christ,

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

United States of America

“We will never know that Christ is all we need,

Until He becomes all that we have.” –Corrie ten Boom