Isaiah 1:9
“Except the LORD of hosts had left unto us a very small remnant, we should have been as Sodom, and we should have been like unto Gomorrah.”
In the previous verses, Isaiah showed the condition of his people. They were a rebellious people who would not consider the LORD. They were a people who had forsaken the LORD, and instead of going forward towards God they were running from Him. Isaiah showed that God had tried to get their attention through several judgments but to no avail.
As Isaiah talked of the condition of his people, you would almost think there was no hope. Instead of leaving the people with no hope he said, “Except the LORD of hosts had left unto us a very small remnant, we should have been as Sodom…” He showed that there was still a remnant who wanted to do right, and eventually the effort of the remnant was realized when Hezekiah helped to bring the great revival to Judah.
For those who stand for truth, it can almost become discouraging when you see the compromise and judgment all about you. If you’re not careful, you can almost think that you are in this battle alone, but God always has a remnant whom He can use. There are four things of which a remnant should remind you.
First, a remnant means that God still has mercy. The remnant in the verse above showed there was still mercy that God was willing to exercise. Friend, you must realize that as long as there is a remnant, God is still willing to show mercy to an erring people. There may not be many people who are standing for truth, but as long as there is a remnant God’s mercy is willing to forgive.
Second, a remnant means there is still hope. Let me encourage you that there is still hope for a nation or a movement as long as there is a small remnant. You can become like Elijah who became discouraged because he thought he was the only one, but once he realized there was a remnant he realized there was still hope. It doesn’t take a majority of people to make a change in a nation, it only takes a remnant.
Third, a remnant means you are not alone. Don’t get the idea that you are the only one who is still standing for truth. There are many others out there who still hold tightly to truth. If you are not careful, you will get the idea that you are the only one, and you will discourage yourself to the point of wondering what is the use of continuing. That is exactly what the Devil would want you to do. The remnant may be very small, but there are still others like you who are standing for truth. Don’t develop the martyr syndrome that thinks you are all alone. Receive encouragement from the fact that there are others like you who are still doing right.
Finally, a remnant means we have a space of grace to get right. Don’t waste the space of grace God has given. It is time to get right while there is still a remnant. Don’t waste God’s mercy that is being extended. Make sure you are doing right and correct the areas where you are wrong, that is the only way to turn the tide. As long as there is a remnant, there is a small space of God’s grace being extended that you must not waste. Use that space wisely and remember that God will not always strive with man.