Isaiah 55:1-60:9

Today I found a full slate of thoughts, each one seemed just as important at the other. I expressed them as they relate to my walk with God and trust they are just as convicting for those engaged in today’s devotional reading.

Listen to me, listen well: Eat only the best,
    fill yourself with only the finest.
Pay attention, come close now,
    listen carefully to my life-giving, life-nourishing words.
I’m making a lasting covenant commitment with you,
    the same that I made with David: sure, solid, enduring love. – Isaiah 55:3 MSG

I was listening to Charles Stanley talk about the will of God and this verse just shouted an “Amen” to that message.

“I don’t think the way you think.
    The way you work isn’t the way I work.”
        God’s Decree.
“For as the sky soars high above earth,
    so the way I work surpasses the way you work,
    and the way I think is beyond the way you think. – Isaiah 55:8-9 MSG

I have no idea why I think my ideas are better than God’s. I can only imagine what went through Eve’s mind when Satan got her thinking that she knew best.

When God wants to move in my life, He is going to do so on His timetable, on His schedule, in His manner and with the results that He desires. My issue – I stop praying and then dishonour God by my unbelief. Waiting on God, as He has screamed many times in His word, is a high form of worship.

God’s thoughts are love, pity, tenderness; ours are forgetfulness, ingratitude, and hard-heartedness. He is tender of our comfort, but we are not tender of his honor. He considers our interests, but we think not of his glory. He watches over our safety, but we are not watchful to keep his statutes. He loads us with benefits, but we only load him with our sins. He has given us all that we have, but we bring him cold thanks in return.— C H Spurgeon

God does not work the way I work.

So will the words that come out of my mouth
    not come back empty-handed.
They’ll do the work I sent them to do,
    they’ll complete the assignment I gave them.

“So you’ll go out in joy,
    you’ll be led into a whole and complete life. – Isaiah 55:11-12 MSG

This is why I try and quote God’s word as much as possible – it changes people, not me or what I have to say. When I honour God with His word, I will be honoured in seeing Him move and transform, all for His glory.

Father, I have no idea how I can forget that you are omniscient, omnipresence, and omnipotent – but I do. Thank you for Your grace that enables me to start each day anew with You. May I walk with You and may You change peoples lives through me as I humbly yield and put on meekness.

Erwin (evanlaar1922)

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Isaiah 37:30-40:31

“About that time Hezekiah became deathly ill. “This is what the Lord says: ‘Set your affairs in order, for you are going to die. You will not recover from this illness.” When Hezekiah heard this, he turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord, “Remember, O Lord, how I have always been faithful to you and have served you single-mindedly, always doing what pleases you. “This is what the Lord, the God of your ancestor David, says: I have heard your prayer and seen your tear… I will add fifteen years to your life” Isaiah 38:1-5 NLT

Hezekiah was so bold to pray that prayer. He knew that God had more for him to do. Am I praying courageous prayers in faith? Or has the enemy got me so discouraged that I don’t?

“Only the living can praise you as I do today. Each generation tells of your faithfulness to the next. Think of it-the Lord is ready to heal me! I will sing his praises with instruments every day of my life in the Temple of the Lord.” Isaiah 39:19&20 NLT

I think about times when the Lord has answered my prayers and I journal about His faithfulness. And my faith is strengthened. But, I can also get forgetful. Did Hezekiah know that he would get discouraged to? That’s why he took the time to write his story? And he wanted the Lord to get the glory for what He did in his life, for generations to come?

“Listen! It’s the voice of someone shouting. “Clear the way through the wilderness for the Lord! Make a straight highway through the wasteland for our God! Fill in the valleys, and level the mountains and hills. Straighten the curves, and smooth out the rough places. Then the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all the people will see it together. The Lord has spoken!” Isaiah 40:3-4 NLT

Dear Lord, thank you that you are a God of restoration and redemption. Thank you for your grace. Thank you that you still perform miracles today. Even if the healing doesn’t come, you are still good. You are sovereign. I trust You. Amen.

“Look up into the heavens. Who created all the stars? He brings them out like an army, one after another, calling each by its name. Because of his great power and incomparable strength, not a single one is missing.” Isaiah 49:26 NLT

Amy(amyctanner)

Isaiah 24:7-28:22

Praise has a way of setting things right in my mind. The words coming out of my mouth during worship take over the fogginess that is in my heart or my mind. I am not sure why it works that way with me as I know it does not work with others. I am glad the Holy Spirit has this freedom to move in my life.

From the four winds and the seven seas we hear the singing:
    “All praise to the Righteous One!” But I said, “That’s all well and good for somebody,
    but all I can see is doom, doom, and more doom.” – Isaiah 24:16 MSG

I love acknowledging that God is named “Righteous One.” I sense that praise is also the manner of honour given to God. It is important because I am trying to make sure that I do not give honour or praise to myself. If I have any honour, it is found together with God’s glory. Is it not true that Jesus is the one crowned with glory and honour, He is the one who will reign? I have no righteousness except from what is given by Jesus to me. This praise comes from my soul as I walk this earth knowing that God is my protector and my avenger. I cannot think of a greater honour than to honour and glorify God.

Even so, there are those who have lost their perspective on who God is. Every generation has them. I think particularly of the comparison between Charles Templeton and Billy Graham. Their life story would both fit into this one verse. It has taught me, but for the grace of God, there go I.

Shamefaced moon will cower, humiliated,
    red-faced sun will skulk, disgraced,
Because God-of-the-Angel-Armies will take over,
    ruling from Mount Zion and Jerusalem,
Splendid and glorious
    before all his leaders. – Isaiah 24:23 MSG

What a great verse to end the chapter with. This is the image of my God that I have. There are no contradictions, there is truth. I am accountable to this God – He reigns in my life. In doing His work He is looking out for me, for my honour and my welfare, based on the promises He has given. The splendor and the glory of God will be a day when He will receive all of the praise and honour due to Him. He alone will be before my eyes as I worship.

Father, may my worship of You never fail. May I find myself blessing Your name throughout the day. May the Holy Spirit keep drawing me to You even as I may take a step or two back. Thank You.

Erwin (evanlaar1922)

Isaiah 56-59; Psalm 70; 1 Corinthians 16

I cannot remember the first day I loved the name of Jesus. It is amazing how much I love His name today. I wish I could remember that day.

And the foreigners who join themselves to the Lord
minister to Him, love the name of Yahweh
and become His servants,
all who keep the Sabbath without desecrating it
and who hold firmly to My covenant— Isaiah 56:6 HCSB

There is something about loving the name of God which basically means to love God. In a concrete way, loving means to obey. Loving the name of God means I love and imitate His character. That is how I and others know I am in love with Him. So there is the emotional love and the action love. Action comes in the territory of serving and is reflected in my whole life and with my whole being. It means that loving Him reflects on me keeping His law.

All of this is for one reason – so when foreigners show up in the temple because they are motivated by love for God, they will stand out from the one who have come with a deceitful motive.

It is why Jesus prayed for us to be one – under Him, our Saviour – bond together in the bond of love and peace. It is only when I walk away from God’s love does my own love grow cold. It is amazing – it is either this or I am persecuted for my love.

God, deliver me.
Hurry to help me, Lord! – Psalm 70:1 HCSB

I need God because how else will I be able to love my enemies, to do good to those that hate me and to pray for those who persecute me.

Be alert, stand firm in the faith, act like a man, be strong. Your every action must be done with love. If anyone does not love the Lord, a curse be on him. Marana tha that is, Lord, come. – 1 Corinthians 16: 13-14,22 HCSB

While the church is open to everyone, the church does not consist of everyone. The mark of a follower of Jesus is based on their love for Jesus – not affiliation or family ties. Therefore it is my choice that I make – I chose to love.

Father, I want those who see me to see Jesus in me. While I struggle for the words, I pray that my actions will be not leave doubt. I need You Lord – there is nothing I can do on my own without You. I expect You to show up and give me wisdom and to guide me in all my relationships. It is the only way that anyone will see You in me. As You taught us to pray, I ask you to not lead me into temptation but to deliver me from evil. May Your Kingdom rule in my heart and in my life so that I may love like You. Amen.

Erwin (evanlaar1922)

Isaiah 49-52; Psalm 69; 1 Corinthians 14

God’s got this.

Save me, O God!
    For the waters have come up to my neck.
² I sink in deep mire,
    where there is no foothold;
I have come into deep waters,
    and the flood sweeps over me.
³ I am weary with my crying out;
    my throat is parched.
My eyes grow dim
    with waiting for my God.

Psalm 69:1-3 ESV

Whether the muck threatens our own life and mental health or those of a friend, God offers timeless encouragement with the reminder that He is present and hears our cries.

When the humble see it they will be glad;
    you who seek God, let your hearts revive.

Psalm 69:32 ESV

Pity parties pull us into ourselves. If I keep looking at myself, my shortcomings, my circumstances, I miss the hope He gives. The psalmist reminds me to seek God. Not looking at the problem or even searching for possible outcomes, but seeking Him. His glory, His praise. Worship. My selfishness draws me toward self-preservation. Worship draws me to His presence.

Paul Tripp points out the need for this perspective in parenting also, while convicting me of my own need for greater worship and selflessness.

What am I to do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will pray with my mind also; I will sing praise with my spirit, but I will sing with my mind also.

I Corinthians 14:15 ESV

Mind, heart, and soul, must recognize the place God has in our lives and in our challenges. Placing him first keeps everything else in line.

Who among you fears the Lord
    and obeys the voice of his servant?
Let him who walks in darkness
    and has no light
trust in the name of the Lord
    and rely on his God.

Isaiah 50:10 ESV

The following verse here (Isaiah 50:11) talks of someone who makes their own light instead of trusting God as verse 10 guides us to. We are so quick to solve the problem in the immediate rather than praying first, trusting first. This message of, “God first, God only, God always,” will speak life to us and those around us.

One thought that is continually pounded home in I Corinthians 14 is that we should strive to build each other up, to encourage one another. We might know the good news, but we need to keep hearing it, speaking it into our own lives and building up those around us with it.

everlasting joy shall be upon their heads;
    they shall obtain gladness and joy,
    and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

Isaiah 51:11b ESV

How beautiful upon the mountains
    are the feet of him who brings good news,
who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness,
    who publishes salvation,
    who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.”

For you shall not go out in haste,

    and you shall not go in flight,

for the Lord will go before you,

    and the God of Israel will be your rear guard.

Isaiah 52:7, 12 ESV

God is there. God is here. He’s got this. Whatever fills today and tomorrow and the next day. Whatever threatens my life or my family members’ lives, or my neighbor’s lives. He’s got it covered. We don’t need to rush around like crazy people trying to find the answer, to figure it out. We need to seek Him first. He will go before us and behind us and work it out in His way, in His time.

Lord God, help my first response, my gut reaction to be to run to You. First and always may You be the answer to all I’m trying to figure out. Instead of my worrying through it on my own, lift my eyes to You and Your plan. Not earthly resolution, but eternal glory. Not a strictly emotional response or only a logical one, but one that melds mind and spirit as You created me to function, a unified, complex being to bring You worship. In Jesus name, amen.

Erin (6intow)