Great Gospel Promises in Isaiah 45
In Isaiah 45, we find two great gospel promises. The first is in verse 19, “I have not spoken in secret, in a dark place of the earth: I said not unto the seed of Jacob, Seek ye me in vain: I the LORD speak righteousness, I declare things that are right.” The second is in verse 22, “Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.”
By stating the first of these promises negatively, “I said not unto the seed of Jacob, Seek ye me in vain”, God emphasizes the positive promise. It is never vain to seek the LORD! God has plainly and publicly said so. It is the pagan gods that would speak in hidden ways and in dark places, but not the true God. He spoke to Israel clearly and powerfully from Mount Sinai. He spoke to them clearly from the prophets and the priests. And what about for us today? God speaks clearly through His created world, and especially, through His holy Word. Through it all, God has never said, “It is vain to seek Me”.
You will never find an example of someone seeking Jesus in the gospels who was turned away. And you will never find someone who returned to seeking Jesus who did not greatly profit from it. Why can you trust this promise of God, even in your youth? The verse ends with the reason, “I declare things that are right.” God’s word and promises are so true and faithful, that you can always fully trust them. God’s word and promises are the resting ground of faith. Though many may accuse you, saying, “It is vain to seek the Lord, especially now. What will it profit you?” or maybe, “Seek the Lord later, you don’t need Him now”. Faith responds clinging to the fact that it is never vain to seek God. Hebrews 11:6 says, “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.”
In the second great promise, God reveals the scope of the first promise. God calls the nations to gather together (v20), who before have been worshipping gods which could never save them. God then declares Himself to be the exclusive Saviour in verse 21. He alone is the answer to the greatest need of all people. But then, God applies this truth to our needs by inviting and calling us to Himself. “Look unto Me and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God and there is none else.” There are six lessons from this great promise:
The simplicity: God says, “Look”. Salvation is found in simply looking to God. The gospel is so simple. It is looking to Jesus (Hebrews 12:2)! It is turning away from yourself and this world with its idols and looking to Jesus.
The object of the look: “Look unto Me.” The God of Isaiah 45, calls all to look to Him.
The salvation: “Be ye saved”. God promises that all that look to Him will be saved. Saved from what? They will be saved from themselves, saved from the rule of sin, saved from the judgement to come, saved from an eternity apart from God. They instead will be saved to God, to the adoption of sons, to peace with God, to an eternity of glorifying God and to union with Christ!
The personal nature: God says particularly to all, “Be ye saved”. That means that if you, personally, heed this call, you will be saved as well.
The scope: All the ends of the earth are called upon to look to God. That means that there is no one to whom this promise does not apply. Whoever hears may look and be saved!
The exclusivity. There is no one else to look to but God. There is no one who is able to save like God. Only God can fill your deepest, most-enduring needs, so go to Him!
When we think of the gospel, let us also think of these two great gospel promises from Isaiah and the response they demand from us. Are you seeking the Lord? Are you looking to Him? Those who do will never seek or look in vain but instead will be saved by God and glory only in Him (Isaiah 45:25).
