Isaiah 42:4 “He will not falter or be discouraged
till he establishes justice on earth.
    In his teaching the islands will put their hope.”

I was a little surprised that the Japanese translation I currently use said “judgment,” rather than “justice,” in this verse, and I checked, and one edition back of that same translation does indeed say “justice.” Justice is indeed closely tied to court cases, where judgment is rendered. The US Department of Justice indeed oversees the courts as well as the law enforcement agencies, with the exception of the Supreme Court, which is subject to the Constitution alone (or at least that is my understanding). The thing is, there is actually an authority that is higher than all of that, and we do well to remember it. I think I will always remember the case, in Arizona I think it was, of a particularly horrible murderer who escaped the police into the desert, but he was later found dead of dehydration and exposure. The official police report said, “Remanded to a higher court.” Just recently there has been a spate of pardons and commutations, some of genuinely despicable criminals. Neither we nor they are to think they have gotten off “Scot free.” They will eventually see justice, regardless of what happens on this earth. We are to work for justice in society around us, but we are to remember that God is the ultimate Judge, and nothing escapes His notice. I have always liked the last line of this verse, having been born and raised in the islands of Japan. The ESV renders that as “coastlands,” but I have a natural preference for “islands!” The idea that the islands wait in hope for the teaching of the Lord motivates and encourages me greatly! Reading the prophecies in the Bible is a powerful encouragement. Seeing how many have already been fulfilled gives me anticipation for the rest to be fulfilled! Recently many sober, grounded Christians have been expressing an anticipation, an expectation, that the Lord’s return will be soon, when all the remaining prophecies will be fulfilled. May it even be so, in God’s timing and for His glory!

As I have already indicated, this is all quite personal to me. I myself am innocent only by virtue of the shed blood of Christ, but I do have that assurance, and my life is committed to getting as many people as possible to share that assurance by repentance and faith. At the same time, I do sometimes get tired of the hassle of it all. I enjoy life and get satisfaction from what the Lord allows me to do, but the idea of eternity with my Lord, without all the injustice and imperfection of the world as we experience it, is attractive indeed! I am to be faithful at the tasks the Lord sets for me, striving to listen obediently to Him at all times, so that all of His purposes for me may be fulfilled on His schedule, for His glory.

Father, thank You for this reminder. Thank You for bringing us through to this point, and for Your plans for each day to come. I ask for anointing, and for open hearts, not only in this morning’s service but also in the caroling we will be doing this evening. I pray for those You are preparing and drawing to come to the Candlelight Service on the 24^th, that Your Spirit would break through and lead them to repentance and faith for salvation, for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!