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Isaiah 29 - Day 516 (link to today's reading)
Scripture: Isaiah 29:13-14 Commentary: God does not reveal himself the same way in all seasons. The Vision reveals God’s strategy and intentions to its readers. But the generations portrayed in The Vision were blind to the implications just as 6:9–11 predicted that they would be. Even the Scriptures were meaningless to them. God recognizes the sorry state of religion which is only lip worship, the repetition of learned phrases. Truly “the fear of Yahweh” is not only the beginning of wisdom, but also the foundation of worship which involves the heart. Holy awe leads to genuine devotion. Yet God in his grace determines to do more “wonders” for this people, miracles which defy prediction or explanation. The ways of God can neither be confined nor limited. Watts, J. D. W. (1985). Isaiah 1–33 (Vol. 24, p. 386). Word, Incorporated. Application: In spite of our hypocrisy and half-hearted worship, God will reveal His true self and have the last word. Prayer: When Lord? When will You come again to restore all things in Your glory? Isaiah 28 - Day 515 (link to today's reading)
Scripture: Isaiah 28:7-13 Commentary (preceptaustin.org): To judge by actions, consumerism is a cherished value in contemporary American society. Yet trusting in more and better things to make us happy is misplaced trust. Only faith in God can bring meaning to our lives. This is conveyed in today’s reading through a message of judgment. Isaiah 28–35 features six judgments in all, and in today’s reading we find the first two, aimed at Ephraim (the northern kingdom of Israel) and Jerusalem (the southern kingdom of Judah). The people of Samaria, Israel’s capital, were proud, affluent, and pleasure-seeking. They trusted in their own “fading flower” rather than the “beautiful wreath” of God (28:3–5). The people of Jerusalem, similarly, offered insincere worship because of spiritual blindness. They thought their actions could be hidden from God and trusted in themselves rather than their Maker (29:13–15). Both cities stumbled over the spiritual necessities of faith and obedience. Application: From a theological standpoint, it's hard to imagine that human beings would take God for granted. However, as the Bible clearly reveals, the Israelites did just that. The lesson for me is to connect with God daily. Prayer: Who am I, that the Lord of Creation... Isaiah 27 - Day 514 (link to today's reading)
Scripture: Isaiah 27:12-13 Commentary (melissabeaty.com): God's judgment..., is a way to keep us focused on that eternal promise. It keeps us humble enough to remember that this world and all that it offers will not endure forever. Like when gold is tried by fire, the heat brings to surface all the impurities of the metal, allowing them to be removed. Even so, we, when tried by God's fire, have the things of the world shown to us that we may remove them from our lives. Then, purified, we are acceptable before a holy God. That is perhaps the greatest blessing of all. Application: We are saved by grace and being purified by our circumstances. Lean on God and rely on His steadfastness to get you through whatever you're going through. And if you slip, stumble, and fall. Repent and pick yourself up and lean on God again. Prayer: Lord, help us overcome ourselves... Isaiah 26 - Day 513
Scripture: Isaiah 26:3 Commentary: mind … stayed—(Ps 112:7, 8). Jesus can create “perfect peace” within thy mind, though storms of trial rage without (Is 57:19; Mk 4:39); as a city kept securely by a strong garrison within, though besieged without (so Php 4:7). “Keep,” literally, “guard as with a garrison.” Horsley translates, (God’s) workmanship (the Hebrew does not probably mean “mind,” but “a thing formed,” Eph 2:10), so constantly “supported”; or else “formed and supported (by Thee) Thou shalt preserve (it, namely, the righteous nation) in perpetual peace.” Jamieson, R., Fausset, A. R., & Brown, D. (1997). Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (Vol. 1, p. 458). Logos Research Systems, Inc. Application: Peace doesn't come from having wealth, health, or purpose. Peace comes from "knowing" Jesus and trusting him. Prayer: Lord, I give you my heart... Isaiah 25 - Day 512 (link to today's reading)
Scripture: Isaiah 25:1-9 Commentary (workingpreacher.org): Isaiah 25 celebrates divine faithfulness in soaring, lofty words, words too lofty for everyday reality. Yet they inspire hope. Hymns of thanksgiving stand on either side of a prophetic description of a universal banquet hosted by God “on this mountain,” that is, on Mount Zion, where the temple stood. The chapter begins with a communal hymn of thanksgiving for God’s deliverance from tyrants. The hymn gathers themes and language well known from the rest of Isaiah. The wording “plans formed of old, faithful and sure” recalls the divine plan, a frequent theme in Isaiah (see for instance Isa 5:19; 14:26; 19:17; 28:29; 30:1): the prophet claims that God’s plans, not those of political humans, will come to fruition... Application: Despite all of the doom and gloom God will fulfill His plan to restore all things back to Himself. He is faithful and will do what He says that He will do and that's something we can hold on to. Prayer: Lord, Thy will be done... |
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January 2024
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