Isaiah 45:17-25: a reflection

17Israel will be saved by the LORD with an everlasting salvation. You will not be disappointed nor confounded to ages everlasting. 18For the LORD who created the heavens, the God who formed the earth and made it, who established it and didn’t create it a waste, who formed it to be inhabited says: “I am the LORD. There is no other. 19I have not spoken in secret, in a place of the land of darkness. I didn’t say to the offspring of Jacob, ‘Seek me in vain.’ I, the LORD, speak righteousness. I declare things that are right. 20“Assemble yourselves and come. Draw near together, you who have escaped from the nations. Those have no knowledge who carry the wood of their engraved image, and pray to a god that can’t save. 21Declare and present it. Yes, let them take counsel together. Who has shown this from ancient time? Who has declared it of old? Haven’t I, the LORD? There is no other God besides me, a just God and a Savior. There is no one besides me. 22“Look to me, and be saved, all the ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other. 23I have sworn by myself. The word has gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and will not be revoked, that to me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall take an oath. 24They will say of me, ‘There is righteousness and strength only in the LORD.’” Even to him will men come. All those who raged against him will be disappointed. 25All the offspring of Israel will be justified in the LORD, and will rejoice!

Through Isaiah, God issues one of the widest invitations in all of Scripture: Look to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth, for I am God, and there is no other. Over against the idols that cannot save, God declares himself the only God and Savior, and he calls all people, to the very ends of the earth, to look to him and be saved. There is no other Savior; salvation is found in looking to him. And he swears that to him every knee shall bow, every tongue confess.

Notice the simplicity and breadth of the invitation: look to me and be saved. Salvation is not offered to a select few, but to all the ends of the earth, anyone, anywhere, who will look to God. And it is not a complex achievement, but a look, a turning of our eyes to the only God and Savior. Look to me, God says, and be saved. The invitation is wide open and the way is simple: look to him.

That invitation is for you, wherever you are, whatever you have done. Salvation is not found in idols, in achievements, in anything we can make or do, but in looking to the one true God and Savior. And the invitation is wide open: all the ends of the earth, anyone who will look to him. If you are far off, unworthy, burdened, hear God's invitation: look to me and be saved. You do not have to accomplish something first; simply look to the God who saves. Turn your eyes to him, the only Savior, and be saved. Look to me, he says, all the ends of the earth; look to him, and live.

Lord, through Isaiah you issued the widest invitation: look to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth, for I am God, and there is no other. Thank you that salvation is offered not to a select few but to all, anyone who will look to you, and that the way is not a complex achievement but a simple look to the only God and Savior. When I am far off, unworthy, or burdened, help me hear that invitation as meant for me. Salvation is not found in idols, achievements, or anything I can make or do, but in looking to you. Keep me from looking elsewhere for what only you can give. Help me turn my eyes to you, the only Savior, and be saved. I look to you, Lord; save me, and let me live.