Isaiah 61-66

Future Glory

This morning we finish Isaiah with a crescendo!  These final few chapters leave no uncertainty that God is in control of not only yesterday and today, but tomorrow. This ancient prophet provides glimpses of the Second Coming of Christ, His Millennial Reign, and the New Heaven and New Earth of Revelation (Rev. 20-22). Couple these chapters with the major theme of our Lord’s return throughout the New Testament and once again, we see the incredible link between the Old and New Testaments of Scripture.

It’s often noted that biblical prophecy has a two-fold application in history.  One example would be Peter on the day of Pentecost, the day of the birth of the Church. He cites Joel’s prophecy of the Holy Spirit being poured out upon all people, young and old. This sets the context for the N.T. apostles’ writings that we are living in those ‘last days.’  Yet, a century ago another outpouring of the Holy Spirit began in pockets of Kansas, Texas, and Los Angeles and has spread across the world today as the great Pentecostal movement of the ‘last days.’

We read of the day Jesus went into the synagogue of Nazareth and opening the O.T. scroll of Isaiah began reading those words of Isaiah 61, “The Spirit of the Lord is on me because he has anointed me…” Luke records, “Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him, ²¹ and he began by saying to them, ‘Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.’” The powerful further (second) application of this is one reason the Lord pours His Holy Spirit out upon His Church, that we might see those same results in the lives of broken people.

Think of all the ways living under God’s sovereign reign effects the living out of our faith on a daily basis. He has everything under His full control. Tomorrow is His, as it is ours if we remain faithful to Him.

Author:  Pastor Jeff

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Isaiah 52-60

A Suffering Savior

Picture Isaiah. 700 years before Jesus walks the earth he hears, writes, and speaks what God gives him. I’m sure at times he understood clearly the prophecy before him, but how often he may have questioned what was coming off his pen and tongue.

The 15 verses closing chapter 52 through chapter 53 might have been a curious word from the Lord for Isaiah. We see it so clearly as an amazing description of Jesus’ punishment for our sins on the cross. Isaiah, by faith, would write those words 7 centuries prior. Notice the repeated themes:

• His humility – a seeming ordinary man. Despised. Rejected. Sorrowful. Not opening his mouth before those who abuse him.

• His suffering – the consistent theme. One marred beyond recognition. Pierced. Wounded. Struck.

• His substitution – taking the punishment of others. Notice in vs. 5-6, each action inflicted upon him would be for “our” sins, iniquities, transgressions, etc.

• His end – would come early. Cut off. Assigned to a grave.

• His victory – a paradoxical suffering and death as a guilt offering, yet going on to see his offspring, divide the spoils, and have his days prolonged. It ends as  it begins in 52:9, he is raised and lifted up, exalted!

• His purpose – The Lord’s will is mentioned in both his suffering and his glory. God’s will prospers in his life!

A highlight for Carla and me this week was to hear Joni Eareckson Tada share her story at one of the banquets at General Council. With such sweet humility she told of the tragic accident at the age of 17, leaving her wheelchair bound. Her spirit is so genuine and honest about both the sufferings and triumphs we all are called to share with Christ.  Her message resonates so powerfully because who in that audience is going to question or charge her in any way? She reminds us of the repeated promise in Scripture that indeed we suffer with Jesus that we might one day reign with Him.

How moved the audience was, and rightly so. Yet, how much more moved should we be to worship our Savior who understood His destiny and willingly fulfilled prophecies such as that of Isaiah’s in our reading today. “Hallelujah, What a Savior! Hallelujah, What a friend!”

Author: Pastor Jeff

Isaiah 46-51

It’s awesome when a passage of Scripture intersects with an immediate context in one’s life; out of the complexity that can be the prophet’s message, the Word speaks appropriately and contemporaneously.  Amazing!

Idolatry   This section starts with pointed words about man’s penchant for idols, making visible, tangible, alternative gods.  In The Message, a straightforward passage addresses such fruitless efforts in verse 5 of chapter 46:  Can you picture me without reducing me?  A supporting question in that same verse asks, So to whom will you compare me, the Incomparable?  And yet, people imagine and carve gods with their hands, using various natural elements, various shapes and forms, various sizes.  But as this chapter says a bit later, in verse 6 and 7, these man-imagined gods just sit there;  Say anything you want to it, it never talks back. Of course, it never does anything either!

Affliction Then, in chapter 48, Isaiah writes a message about affliction – the furnace of affliction.  It needs to be understood placed against the message of man’s penchant for idolatry; I don’t wash my hands of you.  Do you see what I’ve done? I’ve refined you, but not without fire.  I’ve tested you like silver in the furnace of affliction.

Lordship I was especially struck by one phrase in verse 11:  I’m not playing second fiddle to either gods or people. It makes me ask myself once again, is God truly first – Lord – in my life?

Help   Chapter 49 contains that incredible promise; God also says: “When the time’s ripe, I answer you.  When victory’s due, I help you.  What a promise of grace and mercy.  Above and beyond our silly, idolatrous weaknesses at times, He offers a victorious answer.  He truly desire for us to see Him, His glory and His sufficiency.  And so He refines us.

Last night I sat spellbound listening to a 64-year-old woman who has been a quadriplegic since the age of 17.  I heard her talk about the lessons her wheelchair has taught her about running to Calvary, leaning on Jesus, receiving inner healing when outer healing didn’t come.  Hers has been a life of affliction, pain, and suffering.    Yet, Isaiah’s words have been gloriously applied to her life; When victory’s due, I help you!

It will be a glorious day when Joni Eareckson Tada is released from that wheelchair and those braces in the presence of Jesus.  Meanwhile, God has gifted her in exhibiting the joy of Christ, the grace of God, and the life of one giving her all – out of the furnace of affliction – to make sure the Lord never takes second place in her life.

Yes, amazing how real-life experiences intersect with the Word.  Lord, may you truly be Lord in my life, never relegated to second place!

Author: Pastor Don

Isaiah 41-45

Today’s passage is gloriously rich. In these chapters, the Lord affirms the frailty of idols, and their folly: “They are turned back and utterly put to shame, who trust in carved idols, who say to metal images, ‘You are our gods’” (42:17). (Isa. 44:9-20 is another biting critique of those who worship what they make.) God also repeatedly reminds Israel of His supreme identity:

“I am the Lord; I have called you in righteousness” (42:8)

“I am the Lord; that is my name; my glory I give to no other” (42:8)

“I am the Lord, your Holy One, the Creator of Israel, your King” (43:15)

“I am the Lord…” (43:3)

“I am the Lord…” (43:11)

“I am the Lord…” (44:24)

“I am the Lord…” (45:5, 6, 7, and 18)
He is the Lord!
Finally, God affirms that there is no one else like Him; He alone is the Lord. “I am the first and I am the last; besides me there is no god” (44:6). “I am the Lord and there is no other; besides me there is no God” (45:5). “Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other” (45:22). These reminders are rich and encouraging!
However, in the midst of all this is a small passage that is quite dear to my heart. In Isaiah 43:1-5, God issues one more command in a stirring declaration of His love for Israel: “Fear not.” Do not be afraid, He says, for I have redeemed you. I have called you by your name. You are MINE. In the midst of trouble, sojourn, exile, and fear, God says to His people, Do not be afraid. You are precious in my eyes. I would give up other nations in exchange for you. You are MINE. You are Mine. You are Mine. Whose are you today?
These words were set into poetry by Gerard Markland, and composer Philip Stopford then set the poem to music. I’ve had the privilege of singing “Do Not Be Afraid” several times, one of which was a concert two weeks ago on my mother’s birthday, in which she and I got to sing it together. Almost every time we performed that song, at least one of us was teary-eyed. I leave it with you:
http://saturdaychorale.com/2012/03/28/feature-two-new-compositions-by-philip-stopford/

Author: Pastor Jon

 

 

Isaiah 37-40

I have always loved this particular passage in the book of Isaiah. The first statement I love is in verse 37:6, “This is what the Lord says:  Do not be afraid of what you have heard.”  How often does the enemy come to us with words of discouragement, words of failure, words of death, but, our Lord says don’t be afraid of what you have heard.  Our God hears what we hear and He is the One who has the final word, not our enemy.

When we do hear the lying words of our enemy, should we not at those times pray as Hezekiah:
“O Lord Almighty, God of Israel, enthroned between the cherubim, you alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth.  You have made heaven and earth” (37:16).

Hezekiah acknowledges God’s sovereignty.  He knew that no matter what he may have heard, his God had the last word in all that affected his life.  Even when Hezekiah accepted the reality that the Assyrians laid waste all the people and their lands, he was still able to believe his God that they would be delivered and restored.  And to cap it off, God puts Himself between us and our enemies and says to our enemies:
Who is it that you have insulted and blasphemed?  Against whom have you raised your voice and lifted your eyes in pride?  Against me, the Holy one of Israel (37:23).
One of the most endearing verses of scripture comes to us in 38:5b,  “I have heard your prayer and seen your tears.”

Child of God take heart, our prayers do not go unanswered. Mom, Dad, take heart, those prayers that you are praying and those tears that are being shed in prayer for your “prodigal,” God has heard your prayer!  He has seen your tears.  He will not fail you.

Allow me to conclude today’s thread by simply listing a few of the wonderful praises we find in chapter 40:

vs. 11 “He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart;”
vs. 25 -26 “To whom will you compare me:  Or who is my equal?  says the Holy One.  Lift your eyes and look to the heavens:  Who created all these?  He who brings out the starry host one by one, and calls them each by name.  Because of His Great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing.
vs. 31 “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

Remember, you are His sheep.  He has stood between you and the enemy.  He will hear you.

You can depend on him.  Walk and don’t faint.

Author: Pastor David

Isaiah 30-36

What a chapter!

God is not schizophrenic, He is just passionate for His people. His love is so surpassing any of human measure that it’s hard for us to even comprehend. Isaiah, as the other prophets, provides us with a glimpse of God’s holiness demanding judgment, balanced by His love resulting in immeasurable grace. What a wonderful God we serve!

Today, I simply couldn’t get past considering chapter 30. It resonates with so much of the message of the O.T. Prophets.  A few thoughts:

 

• God was greatly grieved when Israel would turn to other nations (such as Egypt here, chs. 30-31) for assistance. He who had birthed Israel, had delivered, blessed, established, and sustained Israel. How could He tolerate watching generation after generation turn to others for military, economic,  and political aid?

 

• The people only wanted to hear “pleasant” things from their seers and prophets. We live in a similar day for America’s Church. There is a ‘framing’ of God by any pastor or leader/teacher. How vital it is (and what a responsibility!) to speak the word of God in its fullness, to measure and balance it in its whole message, and to represent the God whose message it is. We represent Him with every teaching, every sermon. I shudder at the thought, honestly. People need to hear truth, for only the truth can set them free.

 

• “Stop confronting us with the Holy One of Israel!”  That was always Israel’s issue. Enough said.

 

• “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength.” Bring this into the New Testament context of what we have in Jesus Christ and His finished work at the cross and it is even more powerful! Repent. Rest. Be quiet and fully trust…all in Jesus.

 

• “Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you…” Isn’t the heart of God incredibly merciful, extending patience, forgiveness, and restoration to His people?!?

Application:

1. How often do we turn to others for help, rather than believing in our God?
2. Are we willing to swallow the tough call of discipleship and following God, which often includes things that might not be comfortable for us to hear?
3. Do we want to know the truth from God or live in our own self-deception?
4. Are we willing to stop striving in ourselves, and rather fully rely and rest in what Jesus did for us on the cross?  (Yes, we can be so ‘works’ oriented…)
5. Why not just pause to thank God again, for revealing His gracious character through the O.T. prophets?  He is “merciful and mighty” as the hymn states.

 

Author: Pastor Jeff

Isaiah 25-29

An Active God

What is God doing in your life, right now, today? What is God doing in our world? Are we so busy doing what we do that we fail to even stop to think of what He’s doing? Could we be missing what He wants us to do ‘with Him,’ ‘for Him’ today?

A couple mornings a week recently I’ve been listening to our reading while I drive to an early swim. I really have to focus to not let my mind drift, but one thing I like is my mind tends to pick up both a general sense as I listen and a few specific things that jump out at me. Today the general just kept coming in waves as I listened.

God is so ‘active’ in Isaiah’s writings. He is judging nations, assuring hope for Israel, intensely watching over the affairs of man, speaking word after word through the prophet, looking into the future and foretelling events, and certainly wrestling patiently with the hearts of men.  Think of all the verbs that go with ‘God’ in these chapters!

Yes, it’s a simple thought, but one that can alter a day, a perspective, a life. Embrace this in your day today, this Friday. God is working. Believe with Paul, “that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (NIV)

Author: Pastor Jeff

Isaiah 17-24

It’s a tough job, but somebody has to do it!

​
I almost feel like I should apologize, but that’s the thought I’m stuck on as I read through these passages, sharing the words of the Prophet Isaiah.

The book of Isaiah is the first book, as the Old Testament books are listed in our Bible, which shares the message of one of the classic prophets.  Whether Isaiah, or Ezekiel, or Habakkuk, or another of the multiple prophetic voices of the Word, the prophet’s voice has been a significant one in the life of those who believe in and follow after God.

Yet, as I read, Isaiah’s words in these chapters are seldom, if ever comforting.  More often than not, he is declaring judgment and pending doom against someone belligerent and/or rebellious.  It’s a tough job, but somebody has to do it.

A man like Isaiah – sometimes referred to as the prince of prophets – reflects obedience and submission, honesty and integrity, and a commitment to pursue the task before him.  And all of his pronouncements, negative, positive, or neutral, are laid out without any hesitation or trepidation of how it will impact his reputation. For example, any citizen, or native son of Damascus would not likely applaud the prophet who predicted the downfall of that fabled city (some say the oldest city ever), as Isaiah does in chapter 17.  It’s a tough job, but somebody has to do it.

In this day of personal expression, gratification, and fulfillment, we still face those moments which require us to take a stand, speak the truth, and buck the trends of our family, friends, and the culture in which we live.  Sometimes, as students, we have to do it – in the presence of our friends and peers.  Sometimes as parents, we have to do it – even when our children accuse us of being narrow, old fashioned, or out of step.   Sometimes as friends and colleagues, we find ourselves positioned to stand up for something of real value.  It can be a tough job, but someone has to do it!

The prophets were not extraordinarily grumpy, negative, bombastic tyrants.  They were men called of God and given a message.  They were not known for arguing against God’s commission, but rather submitting to it.  It can be a tough job, but someone has to do it.

As we survey the cultural and moral landscape of our world today, I think all of us at one time or another may sense the need for spiritual courage to stand firm, even to speak up and hold forth for truth and integrity.  The world doesn’t need – and won’t respond to stubbornness and bitterness.  It may just respond to men and women of integrity, speaking up, in the right spirit, for the cause of faith.  It can be a tough job, but someone needs to do it!

Author: Pastor Don

Isaiah 11-16

“Every high thing must come down
Every stronghold must be broken
You wear the Victor’s crown
You overcome; You overcome!”

These words, from the bridge of Darlene Zschech’s song “Victor’s Crown,” summarize a main theme in our reading today from Isaiah. As God’s people face the looming threat of oppression and exile, Isaiah tells them, “It will not be this way forever.” The high things must come down. The oppressive nations will be judged. Exile is coming, and it will be not be easy, but God will restore His people. This is not the end.

As I read some of these passages today, I couldn’t help but think of Jesus. As Isaiah looks forward to the restoration of God’s people, to ultimate justice and righteousness, he prophesies of a “stump of Jesse” who will come forth, and “the Spirit of the Lord shall rest on Him… the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.” This ruler will judge the poor with righteousness, and he will introduce a time of peace, when the wolf shall dwell with the lamb and the earth is full of the knowledge of the Lord (11:1-10). The time is coming when “a throne will be established in steadfast love, and on it will sit in faithfulness in the tent of David one who judges and seeks justice and is swift to do righteousness” (Isa. 16:5). This is the hope of God’s people.

And in Jesus, this hope has arrived. Jesus is the righteous branch of David through whom God exercises good judgement on all the world and sets things straight. In Jesus, we are saved not merely from physical exile but from every power that would try to exalt itself over God’s. Though Isaiah may not have realized it in full, God used him to prophesy of Jesus, the One who is now seated “far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come” (Eph. 1:21).

Through Jesus, every high thing is brought down indeed, and every injustice is set aright.

Author: Pastor Jon

Isaiah 6-10

At first glance, our reading today could very easily be all about “seeing” the Lord.  And, as far as I am concerned, this is one of the great challenges for us as believers, seeing what God is like and what He is all about.

 

Chapter 6 gives a “glowing” description of our Lord according to the vision that Isaiah saw.  Wow!!  “high and exalted, and the train of His robe filled the temple.”  We could just stop here and begin to talk about the incredible grandeur and holiness of our God.  True, we need to see this, not so much with the physical eyes, but to see and behold His glory with our spiritual eyes.  Seeing our God in all His holiness, is truly beyond our words or comprehension.
However, in the midst of Isaiah’s vision, the voice of the Lord begins to tell Isaiah how he is going to pour out His judgment upon His people.  Dr. Peter Cooper, on Sunday night, laid out for us the incredible judgment and wrath of God in the days of Noah on His people, yet richly displaying His love and redemption for any who would call on Him.

 

In these 4 chapters we are reading today, there is judgment in nearly every other verse.  How could people not respond to God to the point that He has to literally annihilate them just so he can get their attention?  The judgment is repeated over and over:

 

Until the cities lie ruined and without inhabitant, until the houses are left deserted and the fields ruined and ravaged, until the Lord has sent everyone far away and the land is utterly forsaken.  And though a tenth remains in the land……so the holy seed will be the stump in the land.”  (vs, 11b-13)

 

But His judgments are not without love.  They are not without hope.  Right in the middle of all these judgments, out of the blue comes vs.14 of ch. 7; “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign:  “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.”
And if that is not enough, the Lord elaborates this hope further by giving one of the most hopeful, loving promises to date:

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders.  And His name shall be called, Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.” 9:6-7

 

Where are you today concerning God’s love toward you?  Do you feel His anger, do you feel His love?  No matter what you are feeling, His love is what He wants you to know.  His judgments are for the purpose of showing His love.  We do not serve a God of doom and gloom.  We serve a God who is patient, longsuffering and above all, loves us with an everlasting love.

 

Receive His love today.
Author: Pastor David