September 27, 2013
This Messianic prophecy was written 700 years before Christ. Chapter 53 describes in chilling detail the crucifixion of Jesus. There are two threads of prophecy in the Old Testament concerning the Messiah. One, describes him as the Suffering Servant who will take on our sin, and the second, which describes him as the coming king that will put everything right in the world. Jesus has already fulfilled the first. The second is coming soon.
September 22, 2013
Isaiah reminds us of the temporal nature of this world compared to the eternal constant of God’s Word. Starting every day with reading and meditating on Scripture lifts our eyes from the fleeting to the fulfillment. For the beauty of creation is just a foreshadowing of God’s coming kingdom.
September 19, 2013
After the Assyrians had conquered the Northern Kingdom of Israel, they sought to overthrow Judah as well. In response, Judah asked for help from Egypt. God spoke through Isaiah rebuking Judah for trusting Egypt rather than God for their deliverance. In His mercy, He offered salvation to those who would return and find rest in Him. He offered strength to those who would trust Him with quiet faith. Who or what are you trusting for your deliverance?
September 28, 2012
Yet God has revealed His thinking to us through the Scriptures. And when we are born again, we have the Spirit which gives us the “mind of Christ” (1 Cor. 2:16) to understand God’s revelation. Even so, since God is infinite in wisdom, it would take eternity for us to meditate on His thoughts and to plumb the depths of His knowledge. Lord, teach us to set our minds on Your thoughts, thinking on things as You do.
September 27, 2012
Isaiah’s Messianic prophecy found in ch.53 never ceases to astound. God gave him such a specific preview of Christ as the Suffering Servant that takes away the sins of the world. Reading it afresh today, I would believe again were I not already believing. I would be saved again, were I not already saved. Thank you Lord Jesus for your fulfillment of Scripture and for suffering in our place!
September 23, 2012
God told the prophet Isaiah things that still ring in the ears of every believer. When I read these words from our Lord, my only response is worship.
September 22, 2012
Starting every day by reading the Bible is a sound investment. Nearly every other thing we spend our time and effort on will wither and fade, but not the Word. It will stand for eternity. Read the Bible! It pays dividends today and will change your tomorrow.
September 21, 2012
Survivors often don’t know how to really thrive. They are paranoid about doing more than maintain, thinking that trouble will come again soon. God gave Isaiah this word for the survivors in Jerusalem: you will not only escape, you will put down roots, grow and flourish. You will thrive! Is it time for you to thrive?
September 17, 2012
“Perfect” peace. Not partial or mixed, but whole, complete peace. The Hebrews called this shalom. For God to keep us in this state we must “take every thought captive” to bring our thinking into focus on Him. Pulling our thoughts from self-talking worry to talking to God in prayer. Emptying ourselves of any thought that isn’t surrendered to Christ until only thoughts of Him remain. Christ is our peace.
September 12, 2012
The world will not stay as it is. A remaking is ’round the corner. There have been foreshadowings. Little Samuel sleeping in the tabernacle, hearing the voice of God. Young Jesus stumping the teachers in the temple. This part of Isaiah’s prophecy is yet to be fulfilled.