1 The righteous man perishes, and no one lays it to heart; devout men are taken away, while no one understands. For the righteous man is taken away from calamity; 2 he enters into peace; they rest in their beds who walk in their uprightness . . . 15 For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite. (Isaiah 57:1–2, 15, ESV)
This morning as I read these words from in the book of Isaiah, I have been encouraged through this message for the righteous, those who have experienced salvation in Christ. This is a comfort for now and all eternity.
First, there is a comfort for the righteous in death. We often are perplexed as to why a righteous person dies. Sometimes there are those who die in their old age and this we can usually understand. However, often we see the young or middle-aged person who is a believer die. I must admit that it is difficult to understand why. Well, I do not think that in this life we will fully understand these things. Yet we can draw comfort from the first thought presented in Isaiah Chapter 57. “For the righteous man is taken away from calamity; he enters into peace.” We must never forget that when believers leave this world and enter into heaven, they leave behind the suffering and difficulties of life in a sin fallen world. They enter into a place of quiet rest.
Second, there is a comfort for us who remain. God does not leave us alone. In verse 15, the Lord states, “I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite.” The lowly and contrite refers to us who have believed. While we often do not act lowly and contrite, the Lord manifests His presence with us in a very special way. However, during those times of brokenness we sense His presence more than in other times. This is because our broken and contrite hearts are more prone to seek Him.
Years ago, I broke my wrist. Perhaps the Lord used this experience to keep me humble. For humility is vital in experiencing the Lord’s presence in our lives. This coupled with the death of my mother which happened at about the same time prepared me to receive a comforting touch from God’s word. God is the God of all comfort. He comforts us in our time of need. He comforts the righteous.
Renewing the Heart 