“Oh that you would rend the heavens and come down” was the heart-cry of the Prophet Isaiah as he echoed the cry of David. But their desire was for the conquest of their enemies. The assumption was that their enemies were God’s enemies and that their destruction would be in line with His will.
When that prayer was answered and God came down the contrast could scarcely have been greater
The angel said to the shepherds, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord.” The virgin had given birth. The family were homeless. The King wanted to kill him. A higher degree of vulnerability at his birth is hard to imagine.
And so it was in his ministry.
As Isaiah foretold: –
“I will put my Spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles.
He will not quarrel or cry aloud, nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets;
A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not quench,
until he brings justice to victory, and in his name the Gentiles will hope” (St Matthew Chapter 12 verses 18 – 21).
This contrast in our thinking championed by Isaiah and David (and most of us), with the will of God, is hard to imagine. And yet Isaiah should have remembered for he had taught: – “My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord (Chapter 55 verse 8).
The different way of thinking showed itself when Peter cut off the High Priests’ servant’s ear, Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place. All who take the sword will perish by the sword (St Matthew Chapter 26 verse 52).
In this world of many conflicts we need to see the vast difference in thinking between the “Military Solution” of the majority and the Christian way of the cross.
The promise “Behold I am coming soon” (Revelation Chapter 22 verse 12) is reinforced at the conclusion of the Book “He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!