God's judgment will come over all the earth. The earth will be laid waste. The heavens will also languish. Social status, financial attainment, and occupation will not exempt or save anyone from God's wrath. The LORD will judge everyone. The earth will be plundered because people have defiled it. God's laws are disobeyed. People break covenant with God. Therefore, all signs and sounds of earthly happiness will disappear. Only desolate cities and gloom will remain. The earth's inhabitants will be burned up and few will be left.

Those who remain will raise their voices and shout for joy as the LORD establishes his kingdom on earth as it is in heaven. God's people from east to west will give glory to God, exalt his name and sing, "Glory to the Righteous One." All who repent and believe in Jesus will be saved from the condemnation that will surely come (Jn 3:16-18). Believers in Jesus look forward to the day when God will bring an end to evil and rule the world.

Still, in the present, we struggle as Isaiah expressed (16b). The world is full of treachery and God's people suffer. But one day the LORD will punish all evil spirits and earthly powers (21). Let us not be discouraged or overwhelmed by the world. One day, the LORD Almighty will reign!


Application: Father, your judgment is certain but thank you for Jesus. May your kingdom come.
One Word: Put your hope in the LORD Almighty.