- Taken, with slight editing, from Tweedie’s volume, Glad Tidings.
Isaiah 46:13. I bring near My righteousness; it shall not be far off, and My salvation shall not tarry: and I will place salvation in Zion for Israel My glory.
How shall man be just with God? is the question which the awakened conscience clamours to have answered. And God Himself answers it, saying, “I bring near My righteousness”. Not the fallen creature’s – that is tainted and cannot justify. Not an angel’s – he has none to spare. Not the righteousness of the just made perfect – to which of the saints can we look? But My righteousness. Jehovah our righteousness “shall not be far off”.
Moreover, “My salvation shall not tarry”. Goaded by an accusing conscience, man may be urgent, impatient and restless; he may wish to set a time to the Supreme, as if the creature could dictate instead of praying. But unmoved by all that, the Eternal conducts His kingdom according to His own wise and holy will, and meanwhile the soul may be assured of this: salvation shall not tarry – that is, it will come at the set time. And when it comes, the soul will clearly see that this was the best time both for the Holy One’s glory and the sinful one’s humbling.
Further, “I will place salvation in Zion for Israel My glory”. In the Church, the blessing shall be enjoyed, for that is the channel, as Jehovah is the fountain. “In the mount of the Lord it will be seen”, and “I will glorify the house of My glory”. Whether the sinner loves them or not, the Lord loves the gates of Zion. There He meets with His people to gladden them; there He unfolds His mind; there He explains the mysteries of providence and the deeper mysteries of redemption. “Of Zion it shall be said, This man and that man was born in her, and the Highest Himself shall establish her.” “All my springs are in thee.”
Are you, my soul, one of God’s Israel, His glory? The Lord’s portion is His people. Are you among their number? Has He made you to differ – a vessel meet for the Master’s use, or for the inheritance of the saints in light? Then rejoice and be exceeding glad. Enter even here on the joy of your Lord, and let your life be a hymn to His praise.