Week of 8/30/20 Pages 155 - 175

Although it has been believed that the book of Isaiah could have more than one author, I choose to see Isaiah as author. As I read page after page of my assignment, it was clear to me that God's people had turned away from following him and had turned also from the responsibility of being one of God's chosen. The most frightening behavior came in the form of being non repentant. After all, these were his children displaying despicable behavior. How that saddened the Lord which could not be more apparent by the words spoken in these chapters. Such a mix of emotions. The Lord was very disappointed in the people who would come to temple, act pious and then ask where their  reward was for acting like this. The people were blasted with Isaiah's reply. They were told their actions were impure, and not for God but for themselves. "Do you really think this will please the Lord?" I get the feeling that Isaiah felt such a strong pull to get these people on the right track that he may have seemed harsh and judgmental to them. Isaiah let them know that this is not what the Lord wanted by telling him what he did want. Be kind to each other. Stand up for those who have no advocates. Share your food and shelter with those in need. God was also described as a God who could forgive and distribute grace to them but they must repent. It was noted that it was their sins that cut them off from God.

As I read on, so many life parallels were made. God was disappointed with his children just as we are with ours at times. And the story of the people's so called sacrifices plainly not sacrifices at all, made me stop and reflect. Have I ever done something for the wrong reason? For self gain thinking I could fool the Lord. Isaiah is a book rich in warning, learning from past mistakes and following the Lord and taking delight in his generous Grace he has daily for us.

Week of 8/23/20 - Pages 135 - 155

This section of Isaiah describes a time in Babylon when the Persian ruler Cyrus is about to conquer the Babylonians and fortunately Cyrus’ policy is to allow exiled populations to return home.  Cyrus is the “anointed one” and “whose right hand he will empower.”  I, the Lord, “will rise up Cyrus to fulfill my righteous purpose and will guide his actions.  He will restore my city and free my captive people - without seeking reward!”

Isaiah is encouraging the people that Babylon will fall and assuring the people.  “At just the right time, I will respond to you.  On the day of salvation I will help you.  I will protect you...  Through you I will reestablish the land of Israel and assign it to its own people again.”

Isaiah then foretells of Jesus’ coming.  “Yet it was our weakness he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down.  And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God, a punishment for his own sins!  But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins.  He was beaten so we could be whole.  He was whipped so we could be healed.  All of us, like sheep have strayed away.  We have left God’s path to follow our own.  Yet the Lord laid on him the sins of us all”

Isaiah then goes on again to encourage the people by telling them “For the Lord has called you back from your grief... For a brief moment I abandoned you, but with great compassion I will take you back.  In a burst of anger I turned my face away for a little while.  But with everlasting love I will have compassion on you”.  God once again will allow his people to live in “joy and peace”.

Oh what encouragement that must have been for the people who had been exiled from their land and homes, and watched the temple be destroyed along with everything else they had!

Have a blessed week!

Week of 8/16/20 - Pages 116 - 135

We have heard time and time again and we know it in the depths of our hearts, that the Bible is the living word of God. The Bible is our guide to the Living God, our God, who is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. 

In this present time of uncertainty as we face a pandemic that has touched the world and face the injustice for our Black brothers and sisters, there is so much misinformation that causes fear, doubt, and disbelief in truths that we all face. It is clear to me that we are no different, then the people in the book of Isaiah and our present time isn’t anything new to our God. We believe in the Lord, but lack the hope in the truth. Our faith teeters from the overwhelming attacks on our beliefs that get twisted by the enemy. Like this pandemic is real and shedding light that Black Lives Matter. We can be certain that no matter how this world changes around us, we can trust God is consistent. For he is the maker of heaven and earth. Isaiah 40:26-31; verse 26 tells us to look up, so that we can be reminded that if he knows the stars by name, imagine what he knows about you and me, his beloved. When we have doubts, are troubled, feel alone or fall short of His Truth remember our God knows. Thank God for always staying the same and that you can trust He will always be there for you and me, no matter what. Ask Him to help you hold on to His Truth when life looks uncertain. We have been blessed with a God whose word is alive and active. Verse 28 says, “ Have you never heard? Have you never understood? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth. He never grows weak or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding.” We are assured that even in our weakest moments, when we are weary and just want to crawl under a blanket, the Lord is strong and big enough to carry us through. This is our reminder that even when we stumble badly the Lord is good to those who believe. He restores us and gives us strength to carry on. All we need to do is ask. 

Pray even when our faith is as small as a mustard seed. Give grace because it’s by His grace that we are saved. Never lose hope so that we can rejoice in the glory of God. Thank Him for being the same yesterday, today and tomorrow.

Week of 8/9/20 - Pages 97 - 116

16 Therefore, this is what the Sovereign Lord says:
“Look! I am placing a foundation stone in Jerusalem,
    a firm and tested stone.
It is a precious cornerstone that is safe to build on.
    Whoever believes need never be shaken.
17 I will test you with the measuring line of justice
    and the plumb line of righteousness.
Since your refuge is made of lies,
    a hailstorm will knock it down.
Since it is made of deception,
    a flood will sweep it away.
18 I will cancel the bargain you made to cheat death,
    and I will overturn your deal to dodge the grave.
When the terrible enemy sweeps through,
    you will be trampled into the ground.
19 Again and again that flood will come,
    morning after morning,
day and night,
    until you are carried away.”

This message will bring terror to your people.
20 The bed you have made is too short to lie on.
    The blankets are too narrow to cover you.

Isaiah 28:16-20

We have all heard the phrase, ‘you’ve made your bed now lay in it,’ this passage of scripture paints a grim picture of being in a bed that is not sufficient. Years ago, as a young mother, from time to time, I would find myself cuddled up with my son in his toddler bed. The bed was way too short even for a person like me who stands a proud 5’ tall. As you can imagine, it wasn’t a comfortable place to be. I could never truly rest peacefully. I found that I could lay in it and be reasonably satisfied as long as nothing disturbed me. The slightest movement of a small foot or a room temperature change would cause me to become unstable. I have found the same to be true when I build my comfort and belief system around something other than Christ himself. 

This year, 2020, has disturbed many of the beds we sought to place our comfort. We’ve had to evaluate the stability of our health concerns, finances, ideas of race relations, and openness to other people’s life experiences. For many, when tested, the bed of one or more of these areas is not long enough, and the covering is too narrow. The great news is that we do not have to just lay in the bed we’ve made with God. He has already placed His foundation stone. Jesus, the cornerstone, we can build on safely. His foundation will not be shaken. Halfway through this eventful year, if we find those areas of instability, we have a choice. To settle back into the bed we have made for ourselves, finding comfort in slight warmth we’ve developed from our time spent in that position, or we can make the uncomfortable move to a bed that was loving built for us on a tested and stable foundation.

Week of 8/2/20 - Pages 76 - 97

My uncle in 2008 used the term “unprecedented times” and honestly I wasn’t in a position then to really understand what he meant. 

Fast-forward 12 years and a pandemic later I now understand “unprecedented times”.  No where ever did anyone see that the world could or would stop.  But is has.  Governments, companies, schools and people thought that their lives would continue on as status quo.  The world stopped.  People died.  People scrambled.  

This is much how I see Isaiah (Prophets pages 76-97).  People became full of themselves and their abilities.  Moving in the world as if they are untouchable.  God has used people and circumstances since the beginning of time to get their attention.  “Get God on the Whisper” is something I have told my kids since they were little.  

The upside of a pandemic is that in many ways we have had to slow down.  No commuting to work, racing to children’s sports or social commitments.  Many of us have been giving the gift of time. 

Time to be still and listen.

Lean in.

Closer.

He is whispering to you.

Can you hear him?

Isaiah 25:1  “Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done wonderful things, things you have planned long ago.

Week of 7/26/20 - Pages 55 - 75

Birth announcements are wonderful ways of sharing and spreading joy. In this week’s reading, we see that the prophet Isaiah announces the arrival of a child. 

 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 

Of the greatness of his government and peace
    there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne
    and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
    with justice and righteousness
    from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty
    will accomplish this.

(Isaiah 9:6-7)

 Isaiah’s birth announcement tells us that this baby boy will be given four distinct titles and these titles describe what the baby will do. He will be a “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Furthermore, Isaiah promises that this baby will be born on the basis of God’s own passionate commitment to fulfilling his purposes for his people: “The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.” And Isaiah was right. God did deliver on this promise. Seven hundred years later Jesus was born and fulfilled every promise announced. God came among us in the person of Jesus. We live in a world that is broken and hurting. Now more than ever we need the reminder that Jesus is the one who gives wisdom and counsel, He is the one who is mighty and powerful, He is the one who is unchanging and eternal and He is the only one who gives a deep and lasting peace.