Tag Archives: Isaiah

1 Samuel 23, Isaiah 66, Matthew 11

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1 Samuel 23 is a classic example of David’s faith in God. Rather than giving in to the fears of the 600 men with him, David trusts in God, seeking God’s advice, following it and encouraging those around him.  While we don’t have the Ephod that David used to communicate with God, we do have God’s word and prayer. Like David, we need to rely on God’s word and our relationship with Him to survive our daily battles, although they’re not typically as life threatening as the battles David faced.

God’s word reveals in passages like Isaiah 66 the way in which we should live – humble and contrite in spirit, trembling at God’s word.  Heaven is God’s throne and the earth is His footstool, He created all the things we can see, so we can have confidence in His power to save.

So let’s take Jesus’ advice, learn from him, place our burdens on him, and find rest in the confidence we have in God’s plan of salvation.

Isaiah 65, Matthew 10

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Isaiah writes God’s words, “I was ready to be sought by those who did not ask for me; I was ready to be found by those who did not seek me. I said, “Here I am, here I am,” to a nation that was not called by my name“.  This is us! We are the ones who are not called by God’s name, yet He was ready to have a relationship with us.

Jesus warned his disciples about the persecution that would come, and how they would need to witness before governors, kings and Gentiles. As followers of Jesus, we too should be witnesses of our faith to those around us. Jesus reminds us we have nothing to be afraid of, “do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul…everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven“.

1 Samuel 20, Isaiah 64

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Today we read the emotional story of Jonathan & David’s farewell.  We read of the faith of Jonathan, choosing God’s anointed over his own family, of the love of God they both shared. This was a difficult time in David’s life, running and hiding from Saul, in fear of his life, yet his faith in God remained strong.

Isaiah describes our relationship with God, “O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand.” God is shaping us to be vessels “for honourable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.”  Shaping clay into a vessel is a difficult process, with the clay naturally resisting the hand of the potter. So it is with our life, needing the hand of God constantly shaping our life into a vessel that He can use.

1 Samuel 17, Isaiah 61, Matthew 6

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In 1 Samuel 17 we first read of the faith of David, some insight into why he was chosen by God to be king. David’s faith was real and living, enabled him to vigorously defend God’s chosen people against “this uncircumcised Philistine.”  David realised that God “saves not with sword and spear”, but with faith demonstrated in one’s life.

It is living faith in God that “brings good news to the poor…liberty to the captives…comfort to all who mourn…garment of praise instead of a faint spirit”.  Isaiah goes on to say “I will greatly rejoice in the Lord; my soul shall exult in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness.”

Jesus continues his sermon on the mount with practical advice for living a Godly life. Prayer is a vital aspect, as is correct perspective. We have no need to be anxious, knowing that God cares for us just as he does the birds of the air. Let us “lay up for ourselves treasure in heaven”, looking after the needs of others and maintaining a close relationship with God.

1 Samuel 15, Isaiah 59, Matthew 3-4

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Today we read of Saul continuing in his efforts to please the people of Israel, rather than following God’s instructions delivered through Samuel. Saul is again rebuked, “To obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.”

God is more interested in the effort we put into serving Him, than the times which we fail. God’s “hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or his ear dull, that it cannot hear.” Isaiah’s message to Israel condemned them for “denying the Lord, and turning back from following our God.”  Hiding from God is not the answer when we fall down.

God’s “own arm brought him salvation, and his righteousness upheld him.” God has reached out to offer us salvation through His beloved Son.  Let’s follow Jesus’ advice when he said “You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve.“

Isaiah 58

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In Isaiah we read of the importance of serving God in the right way, with the right attitude and motives. The fasts that Israel were keeping as per the Law were done for the wrong reasons, to seek their own pleasure, to quarrel and to fight. The Sabbath was to do God’s pleasure, not their own.

Instead Isaiah reminds Israel of the need to humble oneself, to share bread with the hungry, house the homeless, and cover those without clothes.  The Sabbath was a day to be honoured, for “not going your own ways, or seeking your own pleasure, or talking idly”.

This message for Israel is a good reminder for our lives, of the importance of both helping others, and of serving God with the correct attitude. “This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”

1 Samuel 13, Isaiah 56-57, Revelation 21-21

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Contrast between Saul’s sacrifices, and those who hold fast God’s covenant.  Saul’s offerings were not performed in accordance with the command of God, and so the kingdom of Israel would belong to another king.

But to those who keep the Sabbath, who do not profane it but hold fast to God’s covenant, God says he will “bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer; their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be accepted on my altar“.

Our lives in this present age do not compare to the promise of what is to come, the new heaven and new earth, dwelling with God amongst us, as His people.  Our lives today will determine whether we are found written in the Lamb’s book of life, able to enter the city lit by the glory of God.  Let’s thirst after the water of life without price, so that we can share in the tree of life and in the holy city described in Revelation.

1 Samuel 9, Isaiah 53, Revelation 15-16

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Today we read of the personal cost involved in Jesus’ sacrifice. Despised and rejected by men, pierced and crushed, oppressed and afflicted, no majesty or beauty apparent in his form, chastised in order to bring us peace.  Yet as a result many are accounted righteous.

Jesus “bore the sin of many, and makes intercession for the transgressors.” Such a contrast from the king that Israel chose, fruitlessly searching for his father’s donkeys. Jesus is the Lamb of God, the first-fruits of those who have “conquered the beast and its image”.

Jesus led the way, it’s up to us now to follow his example, so that we too can sing the song of Moses and the Lamb, “Great and amazing are your deeds, O Lord God the Almighty… your righteous acts have been revealed”.

 

1 Samuel 7-8, Isaiah 52

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Israel desired a king to be like the nations around them, to go out before them and fight their battles, and God tells Samuel to obey their request.

By contrast, in Isaiah we see the inspirational word picture of the future, “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, ‘Your God reigns’“.  Rather than a time of war, it is a time of peace. Rather than a king ruling, it is God that reigns.

This future is certain. God will comfort His people. He will redeem Jerusalem. The whole earth will see the salvation of our God. We can be part of that future, provided we endure the difficulties of life today, realising that God is always by our side, “The Lord will go before you, and the God of Israel will be your rear guard.”

 

1 Samuel 5-6, Isaiah 51

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Today we read of how protective God was of the ark of God, when it was captured by the Philistines. Dagon was dismembered, the Philistines broke out in tumors, and a plague of mice, so that the Philistines wanted to return the ark to Israel.

God went to all that trouble to get a symbol of His glory returned, so imagine what He will do to protect someone who reflects His glory. “Listen to me, you who know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law…my righteousness will be forever, and my salvation to all generations“. God reminds us that He has called His people, “I am the Lord your God…. establishing the heavens and laying the foundations of the earth, and saying to Zion, ‘You are my people’“.

“The ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away“.