S – If only you would tear the heavens open and come down, so that mountains would quake at your presence—² just as fire kindles brushwood, and fire boils water—to make your name known to your enemies, so that nations would tremble at your presence!

Isaiah 64:1–2 CSB

O – Commentary:

Realizing their uncleanness (64:5–7), they would ask God to smite their enemies (vv. 1–4). They would pray that the Lord would rend the heavens (the sky is pictured as a piece of cloth He would tear), come down (vv. 1–2; cf. “look down,” 63:15), and execute judgment on the nations. Fire and boiling water picture judgment

 John A. Martin, “Isaiah,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 1118.

A – Interesting commentary – “Realizing their uncleanness, they ask God to smite their enemies.”  Said differently – “I am unclean so destroy those against me.”  We need to search our own hearts and ask God to deal with us first.  When we are open and transparent with God, he shows us our own sin and iniquity.  In doing that work, we also see his mercy and compassion he has for us.  Hopefully, that same grace helps us view others in our lives with mercy and compassion.  We don’t call for their judgement; we ask for their salvation.

R – Heavenly Father, you are merciful and just.  You have been so good to us by giving us mercy, grace and forgiveness when we did not deserve it.  Empower us to demonstrate this with others today.