“Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or his ear dull, that it cannot hear; but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear” (Isaiah 59:1–2 ESV).
Isaiah reminded Israel that God’s power had not diminished and His ear was not deaf. The reason their prayers went unanswered was not divine weakness or indifference, but their own sin. Their iniquities had created a barrier of separation between them and the Lord. In their covenant relationship, disobedience blocked the flow of God’s blessing and presence. This truth stretches beyond Isaiah’s day, for sin has always separated humanity from God. Yet this very theme finds its ultimate resolution at the cross. There, Jesus bore our sin and even our separation, crying out, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” (Matt. 27:46). He experienced the forsakenness we deserved so that the barrier might be torn down and we might be reconciled to God. He took our sin, our death, and our separation that we might receive His righteousness, eternal life, and adoption as God’s very own children.
We may not always feel the weight of our sin, but Scripture is clear—it hinders fellowship with God. Just as Isaiah’s generation found their prayers hindered, so unconfessed, unrepented sin today can grieve the Spirit and cloud our communion with the Father. Yet we are not left in despair. Through Christ, the wall of separation has been broken down. We have confidence to approach the Father, not because of our worthiness, but because of Christ’s finished work. When we sin, we need not hide in shame but run quickly to confess and repent, knowing that God is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us (1 John 1:9). Let us keep short accounts with God, maintaining unhindered fellowship through daily confession and continual trust in Christ’s reconciling blood.
PRAYER: Dear Father, we thank You that Your hand is never shortened and Your ear never dull. Forgive us when our sins have disrupted our fellowship with You. We confess our need for Christ, who bore our separation on the cross. Keep us walking in Your Spirit, that we may always enjoy unbroken fellowship with You through faith in Your Son Jesus. In His name we pray, amen.