Daily Devotions
Isaiah
"For My name's sake I will defer My anger"
Text: Isaiah 48:9
DIVINE ANGER
The LORD had been most gracious to Israel. The nation had remained rebellious and recalcitrant. Many were the wicked deeds done in Israel!
“For My name’s sake I will defer My anger,
And for My praise I will restrain it from you,
So that I do not cut you off.
Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver;
I have tested you in the furnace of affliction.
For My own sake, for My own sake, I will do it;
For how should My name be profaned?
And I will not give My glory to another.”
Isaiah 48:9-11
1. Deferring anger.
a) God deferred His righteous anger.
b) This was a tremendous act of mercy.
i) The Lord refrained from cutting off Israel entirely.
ii) He held back His anger from being fully unleashed.
2. Two special reasons highlighted for deferring of divine anger:
a) For the sake of God’s holy name.
b) For the sake of the praise of God.
3. God’s approach.
a) He will refine Israel.
b) Israel would be tested by fire.
c) Israel would go through a furnace of affliction.
c) The refinement of silver is a very rigorous affair.
d) God would put Israel through fiery trials but they would be moderated.
4. Why would God take this approach?
a) It is for His own sake.
i) His good and holy name.
ii) His praise.
b) He would not allow His name to be profaned.
i) Some could end up disbelieving God.
ii) Others could blaspheme His name.
c) Neither would He allow His glory to be given to another.
i) Idols could be given the glory that belonged to God.
ii) People may turn to idols than to the LORD.