This chapter is a prophesy of destruction for “Babylon”, decades before it was a superpower or conquered Judah. “Behold, the day of the Lord comes, cruel, with wrath and fierce anger, to make the land a desolation and to destroy its sinners from it. For the stars of the heavens and their constellations will not…
Month: January 2022
Isaiah 12
This short yet powerful chapter reads like a psalm. It’s a celebratory song that one might sing at Jesus’ triumphant arrival (the context of ch11). I think I’ll stray from the norm a little bit and rewrite this psalm-like passage in my own words, as a song and prayer of praise to God. Perhaps you…
Isaiah 11
This chapter foretells the Messiah’s coming – both Jesus’ first and second arrival – with details on His leadership style. “There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit. And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and…
A Prayer of Kingdom Orientation
Today I offer a prayer for orienting us toward the kingdom of God. It’s so very easy to become individually focused – investing in our own personal relationship with Jesus. Of course spending alone time with God is critically important, and I don’t wish to detract from that, though it’s not the entire picture. Jesus…
Isaiah 10
This chapter speaks of God’s judgement against the wicked and arrogant people of Assyria, and also contains judgement on Israel (with some hope sprinkled in). “In that day the remnant of Israel and the survivors of the house of Jacob will no more lean on him who struck them, but will lean on the Lord,…
Isaiah 9
This chapter includes a commonly quoted prophesy of Jesus’ coming and a judgement upon wickedness. “For to us a child is born… and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of…
Isaiah 8
This chapter continues the prophesy and signs regarding the coming Assyrian invasion. Isaiah prophesies to the people of Judah pleading with them to fear and obey God, not to fear their human enemies. “But the Lord of hosts, him you shall honor as holy. Let him be your fear, and let him be your dread….
Isaiah 7
This chapter is pretty dense and includes much prophesy (including one about Jesus’ coming), though this is what really jumped out at me for today: ” ‘If you are not firm in faith, you will not be firm at all.’ ” (v9b) Israel is yet again besieged by enemies (and former allies), yet God speaks…
Isaiah 6
Isaiah is commissioned by God and sees the Sovereign Lord sitting on His throne in Heaven. God is far too complex to cover every aspect of Him in a few minutes, so we’ll only focus on His sovereignty today. “In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high…
A Prayer for Expanding Our Patience
Today I offer a prayer for expanding our patience. How many of us struggle with patience? I consider myself to be a patient person, yet I still have limits. By the way, patience is not quite the same thing as endurance – endurance is the ability to weather storms and hardships calmly, while patience is…