No Weapon Shall Prosper

No weapon that is fashioned against you shall prosper, and you shall confute every tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord and their vindication from me, says the Lord. Isaiah 54: 17 NRSV

This verse does not say that no weapon formed against you shall hurt you; it says that no weapon formed against you shall prosper or be successful. Likewise, it does not say no one will accuse you falsely. Instead, it says that you will be able to confidently defend yourself. This is what God promises: not complete protection but the ability to not be defeated by attacks. God does not promise we will never be hurt but God does promise us the ability to not be defeated in the end.

So, how many of us would much rather be completely surrounded by a hedge of protection so that nothing gets through to us?

That is something I often pray for: God's hedge of protection. That does not mean God can't provide such a shield against danger. However, this scripture makes it clear that is not exactly what God promises to God's heirs. We can be hurt, we can be falsely accused, we can stand in judgment, we can be attacked and we can suffer. But God provides the means so that we will triumph in the end.

I would imagine such a victory not looking like we expect, however. This is the same God who allowed his Son to die a horrible death yet provided the ultimate ending by raising him from the dead. That is the kind of vindication that God has promised us, God's heirs.

God, you don't promise a life free of suffering. You do promise us your ultimate vindication. May we hold fast to your promises and never lose hope. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Copyright 2010 Amelia G. Sims