March 11, 2001
In Isaiah 47 God has a rather scathing rebuke for Babylon. He says...
"I was angry with my people and desecrated my inheritance I gave them into your hands and you showed them no mercy."
Isaiah 47:6
What stands out to me immediately is that God still claims them as his inheritance. Despite where his people have been, that he was angry enough with them to allow them to be in captivity they are still his people and he zealously goes after those who have cruelly oppressed and abused them. It is one more instance of God's amazing love for his people. In the remainder of chapter 47 he goes on to describe the destruction that will come upon Babylon as a result of her cruel treatment of his people and their arrogance in thinking they could get away with it - that there would be no cost to pay. The chapter closes with a solemn warning...
"...there is no one that can save you [from God's wrath]."
It is comforting to know that God loves and protects us. That even our sin doesn't cause God to discard us, he will deal with it - but never give up on us!