Only Hope

I'm so excited to have just stumbled across a wonderful verse as I read Isaiah 14-16. These dark chapters are an oracle against Moab, but their tone is mostly a lament. Then this verse takes you by surprise: (I love the way through Isaiah there's so much darkness and judgement, but then it's almost as though God can't help himself- he just loves to keep giving hope and light in the most unexpected places!)

The oppressor will come to an end,

and destruction will cease;

the aggressor will vanish from the land.

In love a throne will be established,

in faithfulness a man will sit on it-

one from the house of David-

one who in judging seeks justice

and speeds the cause of righteousness. (16.4-5)

There is so much sadness and despair and hopelessness around here at the moment. Not just because of the ongoing war and atrocities, but also due to the worsening economic crisis (in the past 10 months most gov workers -who are a huge sector of the population- have only been paid 2 months wages). It is a constant source of discussion and it's hard to know what to say. I don't want to give false hope, empty platitudes. But nor do I just want to say, "God is great, merciful" etc as that's exactly what they say and I need to be different. 

This verse gives hope but it is clear that hope will only come through the Lord Jesus (one from the house of  David). I love the description of his rule- in love, in faithfulness, seeking justice, righteousness. That is the kind of rule people here are crying out for.