Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear.
Isaiah 59:1-2 NIV
This verse emphasizes God’s omnipotence and readiness to save. The phrase “the Lord is not too short” indicates that God’s power is not limited or diminished. Similarly, “nor his ear too dull” shows that God is always able to hear our prayers and cries for help. In essence, the verse clearly indicates that God is always capable of delivering and attentive to the pleas of His people. However, despite God’s power and willingness to save, people might feel distant from Him. Our sinful actions create a distance as if hiding God’s face from us.
Sin is the only roadblock that brings separation between humans and God. Sin creates a barrier, metaphorically hiding God’s face and making it seem as though He does not hear our prayers. As emphasised in Psalm 66:18 (KJV), “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.” Proverbs 15:29 (AMP) also states, “The Lord is far from the wicked [and distances Himself from them], But He hears the prayer of the [consistently] righteous [that is, those with spiritual integrity and moral courage].” This highlights the relational distance between God and the wicked (sinful), contrasted with His responsiveness to the righteous.
Therefore, it is important to understand that iniquity is one of the greatest hindrances to prayer. Holding onto sin can prevent God from responding to our prayers. Consider Adam and Eve; sin brought about separation, resulting in a lack of communication, guilt, condemnation, and the destruction of their relationship with God. Consequently, God could not hear them.
Meanwhile, I would like to emphasise that the bible says “…your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear.” While God can see and knows every man’s works, someone living in sin can see God. His or her sins hide God’s face from him or her.
These verses call for every believer to self-examination and repentance. Are you holding onto any grudges? Could the delays in your secret prayers be due to your unforgiveness toward those who have hurt and despitefully used you? Can you let go right now so that your prayers can be answered? Additionally, you might have a besetting sin causing separation between you and your Creator. Turn to God in repentance and ask for forgiveness. The Bible assures us that God is faithful and just to forgive our sins if we confess them (1 John 1:9). Genuine repentance involves not just asking for forgiveness but also a commitment to turn away from sinful behaviour. By doing so, God is ready to listen to you.
In conclusion, Isaiah 59:1-2 reminds us of God’s boundless power and His readiness to save. However, sin creates a barrier between us and God, preventing our prayers from being heard. Self-examination and genuine repentance are crucial for restoring our relationship with God. By turning away from sin and seeking God’s forgiveness, we open the door to His attentive ear and powerful hand. Let us strive to live in righteousness, ensuring that nothing hinders our communication with our Heavenly Father.
