Friday, November 29, 2024
Nov 29 – Therefore the Redeemed - Isaiah 51:7-11
Nov 29 – Therefore the Redeemed - Isaiah 51:7-11
The Lord then tells the people to hear what is right and take his instruction to heart. He tells them to not fear mere mortal or listen to their insults. They will be eaten up like a moth eats a garment or how the worm devours the wood. The righteousness of the Lord will last forever, and His salvation is for all generations.
Isaiah says that his readers should awake and see the arm of the Lord. Remember days gone by and generations of old. Was it not Israel that cut Rahab to pieces. Rahab, in these passages, takes the meaning of primeval, chaotic, multi-headed sea-dragon or Leviathan.
The Lord is the one who dried up the Red Sea and made a way through it for the nation of Israel. Therefore, the redeemed shall enter Zion with singing. Everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them. Sorrow, sadness, and sighing will flee or run away. This of course became a powerful song during the Jesus movement.
Thursday, November 28, 2024
Nov 28 – Invitation - Isaiah 50:9-11
Nov 28 – Invitation - Isaiah 50:9-11
A question is asked. Who fears the Lord and who obeys the word of the Lord. An invitation then is given. Let the one who walks in the dark and has no light trust in the Lord and rely on their God. God is always issuing an invitation. He then states that a person can light a torch, build a fire for warmth but it will not satisfy a basic need. When we rely on our own devices, wisdom, and resources they will fail, and we end up in torment. Answer the invitation and receive eternal and abundant life. The alternative is dismal.
Wednesday, November 27, 2024
Nov 27 – Abraham and Sarah - Isaiah 51:1-3
Nov 27 – Abraham and Sarah - Isaiah 51:1-3
Isaiah speaks direct to those who wish to pursue and go after righteousness and desire to seek the Lord. He tells them to go to rock from which they were cut and from the quarry they were hewn. This of course is the Lord, and their desire is from Him. Their examples are Abraham and Sarah. They were the ones who gave birth to Israel. Abraham started out as one but later he became the father of many nations and people. That was because of the blessing of the Lord.
The Lord is going o comfort the people of Zion. He has seen their ruins. He will make the desert like the garden of Eden. This promise will bring about four things. Gladness, thanksgiving, joy, and the sound of singing. All forms of worship. Worship is an attitude of the heart express when the Lord has fulfilled and kept His promises.
Tuesday, November 26, 2024
Nov 26 – The Almighty One - Isaiah 51:12-16
Nov 26 – The Almighty One - Isaiah 51:12-16
The Lord reminds His people that they should never fear people. They are mere mortal like the grass. The problem is that they have forgotten the Lord who made all creation because all they see is their oppressors who are bent on destruction. Easy to do.
The Lord will soon set the captive free and release those in prison. They will not die from starvation. The Lord is their God. He stirs up the seas. He is the Almighty. He has put his words in their mouths, and they are covered by the shadow of His hand. He has set the heavens in place and laid the foundations of the earth, and they are His people. Such a great knowledge and reality
Monday, November 25, 2024
Nov 25 – How Beautiful - Isaiah 52:7-10
Nov 25 – How Beautiful - Isaiah 52:7-10
This is both a song and prophecy. How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news. They are proclaiming, peace, good tidings, and salvation. They are saying to Zion and the world that our God, your God reign. He is sovereign. Paul would use this passage in Romans.
The watchman lift up their voices. They shout with joy that the Lord is going to return to Zion His dwelling place. They will see it with their own eyes. The ruins of Jerusalem are encouraged to burst into songs of joy. The Lord has redeemed and comforted His people. The Lord has borne His holy arm in the sight of all nations. All peoples will see it. All languages will speak of it. All the ends of the earth will see and be witnesses to the salvation of the Lord. What a day that is going to be. It has happened to a certain point with Israel of today.
Thursday, November 21, 2024
Nov 21 – Renown - Isaiah 55:12-13
Nov 21 – Renown - Isaiah 55:12-13
The promise is given that those who go out will have joy and be led forth by peace. Creation will join in the song. The trees of the field will clap their hands. The juniper tree will grow in stead of the thornbush and the myrtle tree will flourish instead of the briars.
This will be the Lord’s renown and calling card. It will be an everlasting sign and billboard. The promise is that it will endure forever. The Lord is faithful when He makes a promise. He will always accomplish what He says He will do because it is his character, nature, and essence.
Wednesday, November 20, 2024
Nov 20 – Noonday From Night - Isaiah 58:6-10
Nov 20 – Noonday From Night - Isaiah 58:6-10
The type of fasting they are displaying is not what the Lord wants. Fasting is designed to loose chains of injustice. It is designed to break the yoke of oppression. Those who currently fast do not. They do not share their food with the hungry. They do not share shelter for the homeless. They refuse to clothe the naked. They even turn away their own family members. This is the essence and nature of true fasting. Those who fast must be involved in social action. Isaiah the reformer again preaching to audience.
When social action follows fasting and alms then light shines in the darkness. Healing once again appears, and righteousness goes before. The glory of the Lord will be their rearguard. When they call the Lord will answer. When they cry for help and the Lord will come to their aid.
True fasting does away with the yoke of oppression. When one does not engage in malicious talk and slander. Satisfies the needs of the oppressed the Lord will make their light shine in the darkness and their night will become noonday. Amazing promises to true fasting.
Friday, November 15, 2024
Nov 15 – No Accusation - Isaiah 50:7-9
Nov 15 – No Accusation - Isaiah 50:7-9
The Messianic picture continues stating the Lord is going to help Him. He will not be disgraced. He is going to set His face like flint. The so-called shame will turn to victory. The Lord vindicates and because of that no one can bring charges. The Messiah will face His accusers face to face.
The accuser will be confronted. When the sovereign Lord helps no one can condemn. Remember there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. They will wear out like a garment and the moths will eat them. All the plans and devices of men and evil will come to naught when the Lord is on our side.
Thursday, November 14, 2024
.”Nov 14– Rest in Peace - Isaiah 57:1-2
Nov 14– Rest in Peace - Isaiah 57:1-2
Isaiah in this chapter brings the contrast between the righteous and the wicked. He shows the difference between the godly and the idolater. When the righteous perish no one takes it to heart. When the devout person is taken away no one understands. That is because the wicked are selfish and self absorbed. The ones who walk uprightly before the Lord enter in eternal peace. They find rest as they lie in death. They truly rest in peace, and this is where we get the phrase, “rest in peace.” This is the reward of the righteous. This was the promise given to the thief on the cross when Jesus said to him, “Today you shall be with me in paradise.”
Wednesday, November 13, 2024
Nov 13 – Lord’s hand is no so short - Isaiah 50:1-3
Nov 13 – Lord’s hand is no so short - Isaiah 50:1-3
The Lord is speaking to Judah, and he tells them that they are on the same path as Israel. Isarel was given a certificate of divorce and sent away to Assyria because of their transgressions and sins. The Lord came but no one was there. When he called no one answered. Sin and iniquity will silence our ability to hear the Lord when He speaks. There is a communication gap.
The Lord reminds Judah that His arm is not too short that he cannot save and that he does have the strength to rescue them. All they must do is ask. The Lord is only a prayer away. Just with a word he can turn the sea or rivers in desert. He clothes the heavens with darkness and make it look like sackcloth. Nothing is too hard for the Lord.
Tuesday, November 12, 2024
Nov 12 – No One Does Good -
Nov 12 – No One Does Good -
Isaiah continues with his diatribe. No one pleads for justice or acts with integrity. They conceive trouble, speak lies give empty arguments and give birth to evil. They are like evil spiders and poisonous snakes. They clothed themselves with cobwebs of deceit. Their deeds and acts are evil and violent. They rush into sin and are swift to shed innocent blood. They go after evil schemes and violence mark their ways.
The way of peace and righteousness they do not know. There is no justice in their path or the way they deal with others. They follow crooked roads and paths. Anyone who walks with them soon become like them. Paul would use this passage to describe his generation in the book of Romans.
Sunday, November 10, 2024
Friday, November 8, 2024
Nov 8 – He is the Defender - Isaiah 49:22-26
Nov 8 – He is the Defender - Isaiah 49:22-26
The Lord has two messages here. The Lord is beckoning to the nations and lift His banner to the peoples. They are going to bring your daughters and sons on their arms and hips. Kings will become foster parents to them. Queens will nourish them. They will bow down and honor Israel. They will know that the Lord is God and those who hope in Him will never be disappointed.
The Lord then asks a question. Can plunder taken from the warrior or captives from the fierce? Of course not. The Lord will contend with those that contend with them and will save their children. The oppressor will become the oppressed. All mankind will know that the Lord is Lord. He is Savior, redeemer, and the Mighty One of Jacob. Such a powerful promise for them and for us.
Thursday, November 7, 2024
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