Isaiah 63

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Isaiah 63 reminds us of God’s mercy and love. “I will recount the steadfast love of the Lord, the praises of the Lord, according to all that the Lord has granted us, and the great goodness to the house of Israel that he has granted them according to his compassion, according to the abundance of his steadfast love. For he said, “Surely they are my people, children who will not deal falsely.” And he became their Savior. In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them; in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.”

These words apply to us. We have been called to be God’s children, in a demonstration of His love. We have been redeemed from the power of sin; through the afflictions of our saviour we have hope. 

Isaiah concludes the chapter by praying to God for mercy on Israel for their unfaithfulness. “You, O Lord, are our Father, our Redeemer from of old is your name … We have become like those over whom you have never ruled, like those who are not called by your name.” He prays for God to return to them, “Return for the sake of your servants, the tribes of your heritage”, to look down from heaven and see their affliction. 

We can have confidence that God will hear and have mercy on us, if we seek Him when we are lost, just as Isaiah did on behalf of Israel.

Isaiah 60

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Isaiah 60 describes a time that those who “shine as lights” are longing for; a time when God’s “light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you… nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising”.

There will be many camels bringing gifts, along with “good news, the praises of the Lord.” The gates of Jerusalem will be open night and day, so that people can freely come. “The sons of those who afflicted you shall come bending low to you, and all who despised you shall bow down at your feet; they shall call you the City of the Lord, the Zion of the Holy One of Israel.”

What an incredible change from the world today. A time when the whole world will “know that I, the Lord, am your Savior and your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob.” This city will be so full of people shining as lights that “The sun shall be no more your light by day, nor for brightness shall the moon give you light”. Let’s shine brightly now, looking forward to a future when all will shine, when “the Lord will be your everlasting light, and your days of mourning shall be ended.”

Isaiah 58

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In Isaiah 58 we read God’s view on false worship. Israel sought God daily, “as if they were a nation that did righteousness and did not forsake the judgment of their God”. They fasted, but for the wrong reasons. They humbled themselves, they kept the sabbath, but it was all a facade.

They had the wrong focus. God says “Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke?” Rather than outward shows of serving God, He wanted them to take action in showing His love to those in need. If they did this, then God says “your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry, and he will say, ‘Here I am.’”

Let’s take God’s advice, “pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted”. Then “the Lord will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.”

Isaiah 56-57

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Isaiah 56 continues the theme of Isaiah 55, “the foreigners who join themselves to the Lord … these I will bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer … my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples”. There is a response required to this offer to attend God’s house, “Keep justice, and do righteousness, for soon my salvation will come, and my righteousness be revealed. Blessed is the man who does this”.

This glorious future is contrasted with the actions of the Jewish leaders, described as “beasts of the field, come to devour … they are shepherds who have no understanding; they have all turned to their own way”. Bad leadership was often Israel’s downfall, and it’s a lesson to us to make sure we’re leaders who follow God’s way, nourishing and protecting.

Isaiah 57 concludes with hope, “he who takes refuge in me shall possess the land and shall inherit my holy mountain … thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity… 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 the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite.” Let’s be revived by our association with our God, developing a contrite and lowly spirit, which is the sacrifice that God desires.

Isaiah 55

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Isaiah 55 is such an inspirational chapter, consisting of an invitation and a promise, both of which are directed to us. “Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat!” Everyone who seeks the water of life is invited to participate in this paradox of buying sustenance without money, the opportunity is not limited to Jews. We are encouraged not to spend our efforts on “that which does not satisfy”, but instead focus our attention on God. “Incline your ear, and come to me; hear, that your soul may live”.

The prophecy indicates there is a limited period of availability, “seek the Lord while he may be found”, but during this period God will show mercy, “let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.” Seek God initially, and return when we lose our way.

There is a promise, both to the veracity of God’s forgiveness, and a future improved from the current situation. “For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven… so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth”. God’s word was not given in vain, it will accomplish His purpose of bringing “many sons to glory”. Finally, the chapter concludes with a scene of the future. “For you shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace… instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress… and it shall make a name for the Lord, an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.”

1 Samuel 10

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In 1 Samuel 10 we read the odd story of Saul being anointed king. Saul was in the land of Zuph, looking for his father’s donkeys. Having gone to the city where Samuel was, to enquire about the donkeys, Samuel anoints Saul and gives him a prophecy about both his father’s donkeys and the events that Saul would experience for the rest of the day.

The prophecy is very specific, “Three men going up to God at Bethel will meet you there, one carrying three young goats, another carrying three loaves of bread, and another carrying a skin of wine… After that you shall come to Gibeath-elohim … as soon as you come to the city … Then the Spirit of the Lord will rush upon you, and you will prophesy with them and be turned into another man.”

God seems to have influenced Saul, “When he turned his back to leave Samuel, God gave him another heart. And all these signs came to pass that day.” Samuel’s strange and highly specific prophecy comes to pass, and Saul prophesied to the extent that “it became a proverb, “Is Saul also among the prophets?”” God also affected the hearts of those who travelled with Saul, “Saul also went to his home at Gibeah, and with him went men of valor whose hearts God had touched.”

This touching of Saul’s heart wasn’t a permanent thing; he later reverts to his own ways. But it shows to us the power of God’s word, that it can affect our hearts as well. Let’s listen to His word, as Saul listened to Samuel, and be influenced for good.

1 Samuel 1

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In 1 Samuel 1 we read the powerful story of Hannah, her struggles and her faith. Hannah demonstrates the power of prayer, and the effectiveness of placing our trust in God to do what is best. Surely she had prayed to God about a child many times before, but this time she offers her future child to God, as a Nazarite all his life. Samuel’s calling was given even before he was conceived.

Hannah is so convinced that God will answer her prayer this time, that after her encounter with Eli, she “went her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad.” Hannah had taken the time to pray such an emotional plea before eating. She had placed her relationship with God first, and having done all she can, she continues with life. I find Hannah’s attitude really powerful; she had absolute confidence that God would answer her prayer, in contrast to many of our prayers where we don’t really expect that God will answer.

Chapter 1 concludes with Hannah keeping her word and bringing Samuel to the temple, just as God had kept His word and given Hannah a son. She tells Eli, “As long as he lives, he is lent to the Lord.” The same is true for us. Our calling was given even before we were born, and as long as we live, we are given to God.

2 John and 3 John

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2nd and 3rd John are personal letters, written to specific people containing similar ideas to 1st John. There is an emphasis on “walking in the truth”, as well as a reminder of the new commandment of love, which is actually a commandment “we have had from the beginning”.

Paul rejoiced greatly when he heard that the elect lady and her children continued to walk in the truth, and he uses the same language about Gaius. Paul writes, “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth”, a feeling that reflects Jesus’ own sentiments. “In that same hour he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will.”

The mystery of the gospel has been revealed to us, and like Paul and Jesus we can rejoice in this, encouraging each other to continue walking in a way that demonstrates the crucial commandment of love.

1 Peter 2

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Peter encourages us to desire God’s word like it is essential for our very existence, as a newborn baby desires the milk that keeps it alive. That desire will allow us to “grow up into salvation”.

He describes us as being part of a living house, growing together to fit in alignment with our chief corner stone, Christ. The mystery of the gospel had been a stumbling block to those obsessed by the traditions of the law, but those who align themselves with the corner stone “are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation… God’s people”.

Despite belonging to God, we are told to submit to the authorities He has placed in our life, whether it be a government or a master. Suffering wrongfully is no less than Christ experienced, for “he himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness.”

1 Peter 1

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Readers of 1 Peter are often reminded of Christ’s example, of future inheritance, and to trust in God. In chapter 1, Peter addresses the dispersed believers, reminding them of the living hope through the gospel message, and an incorruptible inheritance awaiting those who place their trust in God. They could rejoice, knowing that the various trials they endured would last “for a little while” in comparison to the eternity of the future. Though they could not currently see Christ, “you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”

Peter reminds us to be ready for action, and set our “hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” Just as God is holy, so we are called to be holy, having been ransomed by the blood of Christ. We’re also called to action, to “love one another earnestly from a pure heart”, influenced by “the living and abiding word of God”.