Isaiah 57:2 Those who walk uprightly enter into peace; they find rest as they lie in death.
If you have been a Christian for any length of time, you know the peace that can come from walking in His ways and living a life for Him. There truly is peace in the Lord and His ways, and He is willing to fill us with it when we need it most.
In Isaiah 57 we begin with comfort to believers from God that those who are taken early who lived a Godly life is a good thing. No one likes to talk about death and many fear it. But we see that God gives us some insight to help us better live a life of righteousness before death. The verse laments that those who are righteous die and society barely even notices. But verse 2, our verse for today, reassures us that those deaths mean peace and not tragedy. There is peace in death and it is not meant to be a woeful event but is actually an act of mercy as they are being spared from upcoming judgement or societal issues and evils. The chapter takes a sharp turn after that in verse 3, God confronts that unfaithful and idolatrous generation of Israelites that are left behind and severely rebukes them for their corruption and spiritual adultery.
God removes His faithful servants before catastrophic judgment can occur, giving the righteous a peaceful refuge (the grave or “bed”) far from disaster. This happens because we walk in uprighteousness or uprightness. It is the reward for living a righteous and holy life according to His will and not following the world.
This is no more true then as it is today. We live in a world that is chaotic and full of evil and it seems to be getting worse daily. Each day there are new things that shock us and make us wonder how much more will God allow before He steps in?
But we have the promise of this verse that even in the midst of a chaotic, evil world, if we remain in His will and live a life that is righteous and holy, He will give us peace. His peace will fill us when the world around us celebrates sin and evilness. His peace will comfort us both in life and in death, when we will experience the true peace and joy of being with the Lord forever.
So do not fear, friends. Do not lament the death of those righteous people who lived Godly, upright lives. Celebrate their lives, model your own in similar ways, and let God fill you with His peace.
Prayer: Lord, Help me to keep my eyes on You in a world that is dark and defeating. Let Your light shine through me to pierce the darkness with holiness and grace. Amen
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