Behold, a king will reign in righteousness,
and princes will rule in justice.
Each will be like a hiding place from the wind,
a shelter from the storm,
like streams of water in a dry place,
like the shade of a great rock in a weary land. (Isa 32:1-2)
Glimpses of the coming Messiah can be caught throughout Isaiah’s prophecy. Immanuel, born of a virgin. A great light dawning on people who have dwelt in deep darkness. The government resting upon the shoulders of One who will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. A shoot from the stump of Jesse that will bear the fruit of righteousness as the Spirit of the LORD rests upon him. And in Isaiah 32, another precious glimpse. “Behold, a king will reign in righteousness.”
Notice what those who submit themselves to the true and rightful King will be like: a hiding place from the wind. A shelter from the storm. Streams of water in a dry place. The shade of a great rock in a weary land.
Isn’t this the impact disciples of Jesus are supposed to have on the world today? Aren’t these the environments we ought to create with his help and maintain in his name?
- Homes founded on righteousness that are like hiding places from the wind
- Respect for all image-bearers that serves as a kind of relational-shelter from the storm
- In-person interactions and social media feeds that are like streams of water in a dry place
- Churches that are like the shade of a great rock in a weary land
Read Isaiah 32. As long as this world stands, fools will continue to speak folly and some hearts will be busy with iniquity (32:6). Scoundrels will continue to plan wicked schemes and the poor will be ruined with lying words (32:7).
But he who is noble plans noble things,
and on noble things he stands. (32:8)
Noble living shaped by noble principles for a noble King. It will be like water in a dry place. And it will have a noble impact on the world around us.
Sounds a lot like Philippians 4:8-9, doesn’t it?
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me–practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.