WHAT IS YOUR CONVERSION STORY?

(A series in the book of Isaiah: Chapter 10)

In the process of teaching God’s people, the most important lesson of God’s faithfulness through allowing Assyria to be an instrument of teaching people lessons of humility and trust. The attack of Assyria is foretold to be the very opportunity where the people of God will return to God. As they will see the direct contrast of the Government of the world and the loving government of God.

We are not blind to the play of the world’s government with justice and values. God allowed His people to be under the yoke of what they are asking for, hoping that they will see the value of God’s presence in the heart of the leader and their own lives when they will be under the secular government and their kings that do not know God.

Isaiah chapter 10 puts these words beautifully. It is like a strange but beautiful exposition of God’s plan. Yes, His people will be under an oppressing nation but in this chapter, it was not a story of the fleet of the oppressing nation but a story of the oppressing nation’s doom because of what they have done to God’s people.

From this chapter, we can see how God loves His people. Yes, He allowed them to learn their lessons but they are not subject to anybody’s injustice and disfavors. Yes, God allowed His people to be under some kind of discipline but any injustice done towards them will receive some revenge from God.

In this chapter, Isaiah is delivering the vision that says that despite their rebellion God will be avenged for any injustice done towards them. God is very clear in chapter 10 that their oppressor will also vanish in history. Their oppressing power will never stand long and strong. They will also pay the consequences of their evil deeds against God’s people.

But that is not yet the best part of the chapter. The best part is the appearance of the word REMNANT. Yes, a remnant from the REBELLIOUS people of God and some commentaries would say that this is a picture of conversion among the people of God. Isaiah 10:20-21

20 In that day the remnant of Israel,

the survivors of Jacob,

will no longer rely on him

who struck them down

but will truly rely on the Lord,

the Holy One of Israel.

21 A remnant will return, a remnant of Jacob

will return to the Mighty God.

Yes, there will be conversion even amidst the destruction of those who will never believe in the offering of salvation in God alone. The truth of the matter is that the enemy will really be destroyed but together with that destruction is also the destruction of those who are living the life like the oppressive nation—living in injustice and deceit.

In this very sad picture of destruction, the good news heralds that there will be a few people who will be converted to be on God’s side. There will be people, who will be in a very difficult situation of oppression, but they will decide to live for God.

Friends, God is doing His best that He would win His people back to Himself. He is doing His best that His people will be protected from the enemy’s deception. They may be suffering but their lives will be guided by the Holy Spirit. Though they may be falling from time to time as long as a flicker of light of longing for God remains in their hearts God can never let them go. There will be a people of God who will believe in God’s character of love, there will be a people who will be converted for God.

God’s remnant is the rebellious people converted into God. They were not perfect, they were converted.

CONVERSION IS AN EXPRESSION OF GOD’S GREAT LOVE. CONVERSION IS A FREE GIFT OF GOD FOR EVERY SINNER LIKE YOU AND ME. YOUR CONVERSION STORY IS SPECIALLY TAILORED PERSONALLY FOR YOU. GOD DOES NOT MAKE ANY MAN A PATTERN OF CONVERSION JESUS IS THE ONLY MEASURE. YOUR CONVERSION STORY IS SPECIAL NOT BECAUSE IT IS UNIQUE AND GRAND BUT BECAUSE JESUS MADE IT POSSIBLE!