Memory Verse Day 29: Who can stand before Him?

No doubt one of the first things that will pop into your head when you read this is that somebody is being raised on the third day… and that that sounds very familiar!

Well, let’s not be hasty – there’s no direct description of the Messiah here.  We’re talking, of course, about people that have repented – or at least hypothetically what will happen if they repent and return to the Lord.

God will heal, and God will in fact revive and raise up his people.

The use of two and three days here is probably an expression referring to a short wait.  It will take time – but the time will pass quickly, and God will raise us up.  Why?  "That we may live before Him".

This is also an expression that says a lot more than it seems at first glance.

When anything is before the Lord or in front of the Lord it’s out there in His full view.  One of two things are going to happen.  Either judgement, or acceptance.

So in order to live before Him, it’s assumed that we’ve been accepted by Him.  We’re not being struck down – we’re living in His presence.

For example, Abraham wanted Ishmael to be accepted by God – so he said Oh that Ishmael might live before you! (Genesis 17:18)

Paul says in Ephesians 1:4 …he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him.

God saw the innocence of Daniel, which is why Daniel says My God sent his angel and shut the lions’ mouths, and they have not harmed me, because I was found blameless before him; and also before you, O king, I have done no harm. (Daniel 6:22)

The people of the world have nothing to say in their defence, therefore Habakkuk 2:20 says …the LORD is in his holy temple; let all the earth keep silence before him.

But in order to be accepted, we must repent and allow the Lord Himself to give us life.

Of course, although this verse isn’t speaking directly about the Messiah, it’s not so far from Him.  He was the One who took our sins, and therefore took God’s punishment on Himself.

From Isaiah 53 – the Messiah grew up before Him as a tender plant.  He was wounded for our transgressions, he bore the sin of many, and with His stripes we are healed.  But He would be raised – after being sacrificed He shall prolong His days.

The Messiah, like the people of Hosea 6:2, would be raised to live before the Father.  But there’s one difference.

The Messiah didn’t need to repent, He was innocent to start with.

Maybe that’s why it says He grew up before him in Isaiah 53.  He grew up with the favour of God (Luke 2:40,52).

And because the Innocent paid the price, we can be raised up.  He was the first to rise (Colossians 1:18) that He may be the firstborn among many brothers (Romans 8:29).