This chapter describes “Zion’s coming salvation”. We learn of God’s plan to restore His people and their land. There are so many uplifting and encouraging promises in this chapter I encourage you to read it yourself (it’s 12 pretty deep verses). “The nations shall see your righteousness, and all the kings your glory, and you…
Month: April 2022
Isaiah 61
This chapter’s heading is “The Year of the Lord’s Favor”. I recommend reading the entire thing (it’s only 11 verses). It reads like a psalm, praising God for the goodness He bestows / will bestow upon those who remain faithful. “…but you shall be called the priests of the Lord; they shall speak of you…
Isaiah 60
This chapter describes the future glory of God’s people, which is a reflection / extension of God’s glory. “For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will be seen upon you. And nations shall come to your light, and kings to…
Isaiah 59
This chapter speaks of evil and oppression, but then judgement and salvation. There is great darkness, though and even greater Light is coming. “He saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no one to intercede; then his own arm brought him salvation, and his righteousness upheld him. He put on righteousness…
A Prayer for Extending Grace to Others
Today I offer a prayer for extending grace to others. From time to time, I find myself frustrated with others. When I get that way, I try very hard to remember that God and Jesus extend grace to me when I don’t deserve it, and if I want to be Christlike, I should do the…
A Prayer for Poverty of Spirit
Today I offer prayer for poverty of our spirits. That may sound odd, but God encourages people to have a contrite, humble, sometimes even a completely broken, spirit. When we are “poor of spirit”, we are far more reliant on God, and less reliant on ourselves / the world. This is a good type of…
Isaiah 58
This chapter contrasts selfish fasting and God-honoring fasting. In Biblical context, fasting is the practice of abstaining from food (and sometimes water) for a time in order to draw nearer to the heart of God. ” ‘Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of…
Isaiah 57
This chapter describes the wickedness (idolatry) and contriteness (repentance) of God’s people. “For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: ‘I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of…
Isaiah 56
This chapter is very inviting – it elaborates on God’s love and salvation for all people, not just Jews. “Let not the foreigner who has joined himself to the Lord say, ‘The Lord will surely separate me from his people’… the foreigners who join themselves to the Lord, to minister to him, to love the…
Isaiah 55
This commonly-quoted chapter describes God’s compassion on His people (those who turn / return to Him). ” ‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your…