51:5Isaiah 51:5

God's righteousness is close at hand, His saving power has already gone out, His own strength will judge the nations, and distant lands and islands wait for Him and put their trust in Him.Ms 26, 1896, par. 1+2 He speaks this to His own people to show that His salvation and judgment are not for Israel alone but reach to far-off peoples.Ms 15, 1900, par. 12–15+1 His righteousness is His holy law, the expression of His character, which will never be abolished but stands forever from generation to generation even when heaven and earth pass away.Ms 26, 1896, par. 1+2 Those who seek righteousness and hide that law in their hearts need not fear human reproach, for those who oppose His obedient people will perish.Ms 26, 1896, par. 1+2 His people are to seek, pray for and receive that salvation from their Saviour, then carry it as messengers of mercy into new fields and cities to call out a people loyal to His way and prepare for His coming.Ms 21, 1909, par. 14–16+4

God's righteousness is near, His salvation has gone forth, and His power will judge the peoples, while distant isles and lands wait for Him and trust in His power.Ms 26, 1896, par. 1+4 It is God speaking to His people and nation, declaring what He will do for them and among the nations.Ms 15, 1900, par. 12–15 His salvation and judgment in this word reach beyond Israel to distant peoples, for the far-off islands and nations are included as those who wait for Him and trust in His arm.Ms 15, 1900, par. 12–15+1

The word stands together with the promise that instruction will go out from Him as a light for the peoples.Ms 15, 1900, par. 12–15 It stands together with the promise that Zion and her waste places will be comforted and made like Eden and the garden of the Lord, filled with joy and gladness and thanksgiving.Ms 15, 1900, par. 12–15 It stands together with the promise that the redeemed return to Zion with singing and everlasting joy, without sorrow or sighing.Ms 15, 1900, par. 12–15

God's righteousness drawn near in this verse is His holy law, the transcript of His character, which will not be abolished.Ms 26, 1896, par. 1 The promise belongs to those who seek righteousness and have that law in their hearts.Ms 26, 1896, par. 1+1 His salvation has gone forth and His power will judge the peoples, while distant lands and isles wait for Him and trust in His power.Ms 26, 1896, par. 1+1

That righteousness and salvation endure and last forever from generation to generation, even when heaven and earth pass away.Ms 26, 1896, par. 1+2 Therefore those who have His law in their hearts need not fear human reproach.Ms 26, 1896, par. 1+1 Those who reproach His law-abiding people will themselves perish.Ms 15, 1900, par. 12–15

It is a plain scripture on the Sabbath question, showing that God has made no change in His day of rest and holding wonderful promises for those who obey His law.Lt 21, 1905, par. 6–9 Together with Isaiah 58 it is to be brought to the front now, searched out, printed prominently, put in tract form and kept before the people, especially where the Sabbath is not known.Lt 21, 1905, par. 6–9 So kept before them it can do its important work in their hearts at the time when Sunday laws threaten and every worker must draw nigh to God and be sanctified by the Holy Spirit.Lt 21, 1905, par. 6–9

The nearness of divine righteousness and the going forth of divine salvation belong to what God's people are to seek, pray for, and receive from their Saviour.Ms 21, 1909, par. 14–16 They are to rely on His help and thereby become a blessing to others.Ms 21, 1909, par. 14–16 He pledges this help to them as they cooperate with heaven in His work of saving the lost.RH Aug 12, 1909

The reaching of salvation and judgment beyond Israel to distant peoples and islands who wait for Him and trust in His power is encouragement for carrying the gospel into new fields.Lt 184, 1907, par. 8–9 The message must now be carried to places like Moline where truth should be firmly established, with workers in positions of trust working and watching and praying.RH Jan 26, 1905 The Lord will work in mercy in such a place to call out a people united in keeping His way.RH Jan 26, 1905 Those who accept Christ's commission must take up their appointed work and proclaim the truth in all cities and villages and in the highways and byways to prepare the way for His coming.RH Jan 26, 1905

God's righteousness is to be made known in the earth by those who practice the truth by precept and example, showing loyalty to His appointed agencies for extending the truth.Ms 60, 1898, par. 36–37 They become messengers of mercy and ministers of His grace, passing to others the love Christ has given them, with self hid with Christ in God.Ms 60, 1898, par. 36–37 As partners with Jesus their hearts throb in unison with His heart of sympathy and love, with no selfish ambition and no self-assurance but dependence on God.Ms 60, 1898, par. 36–37 They aim only to stay closely related to Christ and work with Him, wearing the armor of Christ and fighting the warfare at His charges under His banner.Ms 60, 1898, par. 36–37

The chapter gives assurance and hope in affliction, in the confidence that the Lord bears all burdens.19MR 287.4+1 It gives assurance and hope even in tedious affliction.21MR 122.4 Its words guide readers to seek the Lord, repent of sin, and do what is right, offering hope and courage to afflicted people.Ms 23, 1889, par. 34–35