Realm of the Cup

Isaiah 51:21-23

Therefore hear now this, thou afflicted, and drunken, but not with wine: Thus saith thy Lord the LORD, and thy God that pleadeth the cause of his people, Behold, I have taken out of thine hand the cup of trembling, even the dregs of the cup of my fury; thou shalt no more drink it again:

Here as at the last, we see the cup in the hands of the Lord. Remember, we had talked about the cup filled with the blood of his Son upon that tree so long ago. How precious are we in the eyes of his Son. See, there are many such cups in the hands of the Lord. From the cup of crookedness and deceit he prayed so long ago in that garden for his deliverance. So too from the cup of the devils has the Lord delivered him, trusting not his Holy One to that evil day nor letting his loved one to see corruption. You know how easily though the cup can get switched. Jesus Christ is speaking to his people as seen here in the text. Even to those afflicted and drunken but not with wine has he come. The cup of the Lord is some strong drink indeed, my friends. Yet God has not done this. So often in life we tend to blame the Lord for anything that goes wrong. As the text shows, though that such is not the case at all. For the God defending his people has done nothing wrong at all.

It is in God's nature to do so as the just and righteous judge. Just as he is holy so also is he merciful all the more, especially to them that show themselves pitiful, my friends. God is mirrored in the image of Paul who was once all things to all men that he might save some. But oh, to think God would stoop down so low as to be on this level and so raise the broken up. Could it be that the misplaced cup or the switched cup turned into the cup of his fury has produced this result. That is why the goodness of God is not to be misplaced or even mishandled at all. Follow it if you can to repentance while it still is today. Sure, God's mercy never runs out, but his justice is sure. That is why we see scenes like here in the text where the cup of his fury has been misplaced and even misdirected. How many of you know you cannot thwart the purpose of God. So should you from him try and run you cannot as Jonah found out so long ago. The fish and the storm arose for him to turn him around just as surely as the hand of the Lord.

But I will put it into the hand of them that afflict thee; which have said to thy soul, Bow down, that we may go over: and thou hast laid thy body as the ground, and as the street, to them that went over.

So too will he arise for his people and heal their condition. I can almost see the case now as the people lie in the street. The cup of his wrath has passed over now and into the next. Could it be they are still reeling and quite possibly dealing from the strong hand of God. But see, the cup has gone to those that deserve it, these ones who have afflicted his people. Notice how such have said to bow down that they might go over. For injustice and servitude has seen it already. How much more do not those that say or do any such rather deserve the bowing down from it themselves. They once had afflicted God's people, but God says no more. How many of you know that when God says no more, you're coming on out. Then you too will be able to say and practice the Word that lets all judgment rest with the Son. If given rightly from there it spreads to God's house. The last thing affected then is the world and you already know God is setting it straight. It seems he will not let the cries of his people be empty or even unheard.

For the God who allows his Word not to remain void will return with the sword. See how he removes the thing meant to harm and destroy from his people; instead, he hands it over to those who have afflicted them instead. How good is the God who rights our wrongs, removes our sins, and takes our sorrows. In all this he is working all things out for our good. See how he passes the wine of his wrath and straightens the cup. See, the cup of the Lord only passes should he but will it to. Then again, there remains the body and blood of the Lord. How sweet it is to be found walking with him. See now the all things made new of the Lord. God, it seems, makes all things over again just as he said. He will not let any disorder go unpunished nor remain in his house for long. Thank God for it is he who brings all things out.