Isaiah 52:1-6 – Overcoming insecurity and dejection

Beginning from Isaiah 51:9 to Isaiaih 52:6, we see a series of three wake-up calls being made. The first described in Isaiah 51:9-16, the second is found in 51:17-23. In Isaiah 52:1-6 we come to the third wake-up call. In the first call, the arm of the Lord was implored to intervene to bring comfort back to Zion. The second call was made picturing Jerusalem as a drunkard but not with wine but the cup of God’s wrath. Here in this call, she was to sober up and hear God’s promise of deliverance from the hand of Babylon. She was told that she would never again experience the same torment again.

In this third call in Isaiah 52:1-6, Jerusalem was promised that her slave’s status would be reversed. Here an invitation was made to Jerusalem to arise and return to her strength and to change into the beautiful garment she was expected to adorn. She was called to shake off the gathered dust and break the chain resulting from her slavery. Jerusalem was to live in the liberty that she was made to live. Notice Jerusalem is referred to as the Holy City. And in this Holy City, no uncircumcised or unclean person would be allowed to enter in.

Not a cent was paid by Babylon to acquire Judah, therefore, no redemption price was required for her release. They just had to release Judah at the command of the Lord God of Israel. Just like they were released from the bondage of the Egyptians and the Assyrians, God promised that they would also be released by Babylon. For none of these nations had paid anything to earn the right to possess Judah, not Egypt, neither did Assyria and certainly not Babylon. Hence, they had no right to hold on to God’s people. The Lord furthermore voiced His objection that the enemies of Judah should disparage and blaspheme His name continually. What He would do to deliver His people would make them truly recognize who He truly was to them. They would know Him as they ought to. He would be the only one who had the right to speak.

For insecure and dejected Judah, it was almost impossible for them to find the strength to overcome the dejection. Thankfully, we see the call of the Lord urging them to return to the strength that can be found in Him. He is always available for His people. When we come to our wit’s end, repent, and return to the Lord, we find Him ever ready to come to our assistance. Like Judah, none of us by ourselves has the strength to overcome our dejection. But the moment we realize whose we are and that our Lord who dwells within us has the power to help us overcome, we will find the strength to be overcomers. This is God’s promise to us believers. In Philippians 4:13 as the Apostle Paul proclaimed, "we truly can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.” Yes, we can rely on Him to overcome our fear and insecurity. Thanks be to God!