The Great Replacer

UV 1508/10,000 The Great Replacer
He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the LORD hath spoken it.

Isaiah 25 v 8

Death from the beginning of time was man’s greatest foe. It was the eternal sting that left sorrow and wailing in its wake. It annulled or nullified all the achievements, aspirations and acquisitions of every human being. No leader or great man could guarantee life after death. None knew even the manner or timing of his or her own death. The whole purpose of a great conqueror like Alexander the Great rising in human history is to show mankind the vanity of human power, conquest, wealth, glamour, pleasure and wisdom. Alexander also died at the prime age of around 33 like Jesus. But Jesus conquered death and became a conqueror greater than Alexander. In enabling us to conquer the fear of death and death itself, each of us is greater in God’s eyes than Alexander. Jesus knew the timing, manner and purpose of His death. Jesus swallowed death in His resurrection. He defeated death forever. Sin could not hold him prisoner in Hades as He knew no sin. He has the power to recall death or to restore life. Had Jesus died on the cross and not been resurrected, it would have been yet another tragedy in the long list of tragedies in world history. But in defeating death, He removed the sting of death or the power of death forever. He gave mankind the power to live forever.

The Lord takes away the sorrow of His people. He removes their reproach. He is not partial to anyone but will remove the sorrow and reproach of anyone who approaches Him in faith. The Lord deals not only with death but the lesser foes of mankind like disease, fears and sorrows. He is the great replacer. He replaces the spirit of fear of death, disease, calamity and loss with the spirit of love and power just as He replaced the water in the six stone jars at the wedding in Canna with the finest wine. When we have a spirit of sorrow, we need to look to Jesus and pray, “ Lord replace my sorrow with a spirit of joy.” When we are afraid of death or something else, we can pray, “ Lord , please replace my fear with confidence, trust and courage.”

Some people interpret that the promise to wipe every tear is applicable only to the life hereafter but since He is the Lord who was and is and is to come, He is the Lord and leader of our past, present and future. The Lord Jesus can wipe every tear from every eye, implying that He can erase the sorrows of every human being and every type of anguish and hopelessness. Jesus overpowered the enemy of our souls. He restored us to the reign and kingdom of God. He restored us to the presence of God and gives us access to the power and promises of God to deal with every situation and circumstance in our lives. He sends the comforter, the Holy Spirit to encourage, build, lead and guide us. Jesus does not promise us that we will not have struggles and difficulties in our lives but He promises to be with us. He assures us, “ You shall overcome the world even as I have overcome.” The leaders of the world speak many promises but neither do they have the intention or power or authority to speak or fulfil any of those promises.
The words, “ The Lord has spoken it” at the end of the uni-verse shows that the promises of God are fulfilled in Christ who is the Word of God. It is backed by the authority and supernatural and miraculous power of God.
Prateep V Philip