Even in discipline God can grant mercy - Isaiah 34-39

Perhaps the most dangerous point in our lives is when we know that we have failed God and we feel as though we have lost fellowship with Him. Satan loves to deceive us by telling us what we are about to do is not sin and God won't care (see Genesis 3 story) and yet after we sin he tells us the sin was so bad God will not talk to us again. Our own guilt and shame condemns us. That shame keeps us from going back to God to find forgiveness and relief. In these chapters of Isaiah we see just how foolish that hesitant response to return to God really is. Isaiah records some of the most beautiful words about returning to God in the middle of discipline. In chapter 35 we have an entire chapter to encourage us in our discipline to yet trust and believe in God's saving grace (35:3,4). In chapters 36-39 we see the story of King Hezekiah and King Sennacherib of Assyria. King Hezekiah is able to find forgiveness, strength, support and security under the shadow of God's wing. Despite the fact that Israel is going through a time of discipline, God is there, ready to forgive, support and defend. We must understand more fully God's command in 1 John 1:9 that tells us to confess our sins to Him because "He is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins." When Satan and our shame try to convince us that we are unworthy of forgiveness and we should not ask God for it, we are doubting the truthfulness of God's Word and His character. He forgives us based upon His faithfulness and justice. God put that sin on His Son. We are not to bear that penalty again ... that shame is gone. Satan would love us to think we can't return to God. That we are unworthy. We are unworthy but our returning to God for forgiveness is not about us. It is about God's faithfulness to His Word. God will grant us forgiveness and power even in discipline. These chapters in Isaiah prove it. In Isaiah 37:5-7 we have a real example of it. Don't be fearful to ask God for forgiveness. Be fearful if you don't.