23rd.: We are Sinners
In another prayer, Isaiah asked God to come down from heaven (Isa. 64:1-3).
Isaiah remembered God’s benevolent attitude toward those who wait on Him,
“For since the beginning of the world, men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear,
neither has the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he has prepared for him that waits for him.” (Isa. 64:4).
Yet, God was angry with Israel, as Isaiah acknowledged,
“Behold thou are angry, for we have sinned. … We are all as an unclean thing.
All our righteousnesses are as filthy rags…. There is none that calls upon thy name that stirs up himself to take hold of thee. …
thou has consumed us, because of our iniquities.” (Isa. 26:5b-7).
Isaiah continued by remembering that God was a heavenly father, and also the maker of Israel,
“But now, O Lord, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter.” (Isa. 26:8a-b).
Isaiah proceeded to ask God, “Be not wroth very sore, O Lord, neither remember iniquity forever. …
Wilt thou refrain thyself for these things, O Lord? Wilt thou hold thy peace, and afflict us very sore?” (Isa. 26:9a-b, 12).
Isaiah finished his request, asking God if He would refrain from helping the nation of Israel.
Likewise, we must confess our sins to Him.
And we must remember, that He might not respond right away. That is His prerogative.
“Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary.” (Ps. 77:13a)