Scripture

“I will answer them before they even call to me. While they are still talking about their needs, I will go ahead and answer their prayers!”

Observation

The Lord was ready to respond but no one called to Him. He said, “Here I am!” but they did not call on His name. He is waiting for His people, but they are burning incense to idols.

The Lord will destroy the wicked, but He will preserve those who are truly His servants. He will preserve a remnant to possess the land. He is creating a new heavens and a new earth. Jerusalem will be a place of joy. Babies will not die prematurely, and adults will live to a hundred.

The blessings will be so great that God will answer prayers before they even pray.

Application

We live under the new covenant that Isaiah looked towards. It is not yet fully consummated as the creation still needs to be reformed.

God’s blessings towards his people are enormous. We don’t think of God answering prayers before we ask or while we are talking about the needs. God sees our need before we do, and His heart is so favourable to us that He answers before we ask.

This chapter begins with God expressing anger because He is ready to respond, but they don’t ask. In the new covenant age, He is happy to answer before we ask.

This does not say that we do not need to pray or to seek the Lord. Prayer is meant to be relational not transactional. We don’t pray to get answers, but from a need to be close to the Lord.

Prayer

Thank you Father for the privilege of prayer. Thank you that you desire to communicate with me. Amen.