Monthly Archives: June 2014

Isaiah 49

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Isaiah 49 offers us some insight into the prophet Isaiah. He was called from before birth to be God’s prophet, to guide Israel back to God. Even with this divine calling, Isaiah sometimes had self-doubt, yet still relied on God for strength in these times. “I have labored in vain; I have spent my strength for nothing and vanity; yet surely my right is with the Lord, and my recompense with my God”.

Parts of this chapter also applies to Christ, and the salvation we have through him. The one who would “bring back the preserved of Israel” would also be “a light for the nations, that [God’s] salvation may reach to the end of the earth“.

There will come a time when “all flesh shall know that I am the Lord your Savior, and your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob”. Let us focus on being like Christ, a light to those around us, relying on God’s strength and looking forward to that future time of restoration.

Jude, Isaiah 44

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Jude warns about the need to persevere in the last days, “building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life“.

This hope of mercy and eternal life is built on a unique guarantee. God says “I am the first and I am the last; besides me there is no god…Fear not, nor be afraid; have I not told you from of old and declared it?”  There is only one God that created us, who stretched out the heavens; He has promised He will redeem Israel. “I formed you; you are my servant; O Israel, you will not be forgotten by me“.

Isaiah writes of this redemption as if it had already happened, so certain was he that it would happen. “Sing, O heavens, for the Lord has done it; shout, O depths of the earth; break forth into singing, O mountains, O forest, and every tree in it! For the Lord has redeemed Jacob“. So let’s take Jude’s advice, build up our faith, confident in God’s impending mercy and redemption.

 

Isaiah 42, 1 John 5

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In Isaiah 42, the message of comfort continues. “Thus says God, the Lord,
who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and what comes from it, who gives breath to the people on it and spirit to those who walk in it: “I am the Lord; I have called you in righteousness; I will take you by the hand and keep you”.

The same God that created the heavens, that gives us life, has called us to be like Him, and will be with us on the way. Through God we can overcome the world by reflecting the love He showed us. “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world— our faith“.

John concludes “we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true”. Let us use that understanding to serve and honour God, having confidence He will hear us.

Isaiah 41, 1 John 3-4

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Isaiah continues his message of hope in chapter 41, with God reminding Israel three times that He is with them, that He has chosen them and will help them. This is part of the comforting that Isaiah commenced in chapter 40.

God says “”You are my servant, I have chosen you and not cast you off”; fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”  This is the God who causes coastlines to fear, the ends of the earth to tremble, who turns the wilderness into pools of water. This all-powerful deity has also said “I … hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you”“.

John reminds us that we have been called to also be part of this family that God comforts. “See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are.” God has shown His love, strengthening and helping us. It’s up to us to respond by loving not “in word or talk but in deed and in truth”.

1 John 1-2

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“God is light, and in him is no darkness at all… if we walk in the light… the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin”.  John’s message is one of an eyewitness, who observed and loved the only perfect manifestation of God’s light by a human.

John pleads with his readers to keep God’s word, the word of life. Those who wish to do so should “walk in the same way in which [Jesus] walked”, love the Father, and abide in the Son and the Father.  This attitude and love must pervade every aspect of our life, as surely as light drives away darkness.

John’s motivation for sharing this advice was that his “joy may be complete”. How much more joy will our Father feel, if we, His children, demonstrate perfect love by keeping His commandments.

1 Peter 3-5

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Peter gives us a simple formula for a righteous way of life, “have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind”. He continues by quoting Psalm 34 on the importance of controlling the tongue, turning away from evil, and instead pursuing peace.

Rather than “living in sensuality” as the world around us, let us “be self-controlled and sober-minded… keep loving one another earnestly… show hospitality… serve one another… in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ“.

Joshua 22, Hebrews 11

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Joshua thanks the Reubenites, Gadites, and tribe of Manessah for their faithful service in obeying Moses, and helping the tribes on the other side of Jordan take possession of their inheritance. They had “been careful to keep the charge of the Lord your God“, and were now invited to return to their homes and live in their own inheritance.  Finally, they were reminded “be very careful to observe the commandment and the law that Moses the servant of the Lord commanded you, to love the Lord your God, and to walk in all his ways and to keep his commandments and to cling to him and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul“.

This is a great example of putting the needs of others ahead of oneself. For years the men of these tribes had fought the Canaanites, while being unable to enjoy their own inheritance.  They had faith that God would protect their families, living undefended across the river.

We are similarly called upon to have faith in God’s promises, knowing that God has provided something better for us than this present life. Let us, like the Israelites, desire a better, heavenly country, and demonstrate that faith in our lives.

Isaiah 26-27, Hebrews 10

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Isaiah continues his theme of the kingdom, referring to the future city, a time of peace, when “the inhabitants of the world learn righteousness“, and God has punished “the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity“. This will be a time when “those who were lost… and those who were driven out… will come and worship the Lord on the holy mountain at Jerusalem“.

Those who wish to enter that city should “trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock“. God keeps “in perfect peace” those who trust in Him, who focus their mind on Him. Isaiah writes “my soul yearns for you in the night; my spirit within me earnestly seeks you“. This is the passion we should have for God, focusing our lives in Him, constantly seeking Him.

While we wait for this time Isaiah writes about, “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works”.

Isaiah 25, Hebrews 8-9

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Isaiah 25 starts with a song of praise, thanking and praising God for the future establishment of His kingdom on earth. “O Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you; I will praise your name, for you have done wonderful things, plans formed of old, faithful and sure … For you have been a stronghold to the poor, a stronghold to the needy in his distress”.

Isaiah describes a time when all will be invited to a feast, much like Jesus’ parables of the kingdom. Death will be swallowed up forever, “and the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces”.  On that day, people will say “Behold, this is our God; we have waited for him, that he might save us … let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.”

Hebrews 8-9 describes the work of Christ as a sacrifice and high priest, making it possible for us to be part of the future Isaiah wrote about. It’s up to us to respond to God’s calling, to have God’s laws written in our hearts and minds, to be God’s people, knowing that Christ will shortly “appear a second time… to save those who are eagerly waiting for him”.