Category: Isaiah–BibleTrekToday
Out of Anguish–JOY!
Scripture reading for July 17: Isaiah 53:11-12 “Out of the anguish of His soul He shall see and be satisfied; by His knowledge shall the Righteous One, My servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and He shall bear their iniquities. Therefore, I will divide Him a portion with the many, and He shall divide the spoil with the strong, because He poured out His soul to death and was numbered with the transgressors; yet He bore the sin of many, and makes intercession for the transgressors.”
Hebrews 12: 2 “. . .looking to Jesus, the Founder and Perfecter of our faith, Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Isaiah’s prophecy of the Messiah paints a picture with words of a suffering Savior Who willingly and faithfully obeyed God’s Will. He submitted Himself to God’s will, praying, “Your will be done.” (Matthew 26:42) While suffering on the cross, He made intercession for the transgressors, praying “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34) He came to earth to identify with those transgressing against His Father and He willingly bore their sins as an act of intercession that would open heaven’s door (His own body pierced) for all who would repent and believe.
Another revelation is that in the midst of His anguish, Jesus saw many being made righteous through faith. He understood that faith would bring revelation and salvation as a gift of grace, enabling sinners to call God their own Father. (Galatians 4:6-7) In the midst of anguish of suffering with other’s sins and its penalty of death, Jesus found joy set before Him of brothers and sisters walking in love. He endured the cross and it’s shame and rose again from the grave to sit at His Father’s right hand where He intercedes for us who believe! He is coming again to reward those who faithfully believe and follow by faith.
Prayer: Father God, what an amazing blessing to receive grace through Your sacrifice of Your own Son on my behalf! Because of His joy in showing mercy to lost sinners like me, many will enjoy eternal life and experience joy in Your presence. Amen!
God’s Will Be Done–on Earth as in Heaven
Scripture reading for July 16: Isaiah 53:9-10 “And they made His grave with the wicked and with a rich man in His death, although He had done no violence, and there was no deceit in His mouth. Yet it was the will of the Lord to crush Him; He has put Him to grief; when His soul makes an offering for guilt, He shall see His offspring; He shall prolong His days; the will of the Lord shall prosper in His hand.”
Isaiah continues his prophetic picture of the Messiah given about 700 years before Jesus Christ. Messiah would die and be buried in a grave. His death would be that of a wicked man but in His death, He would be buried in a rich man’s tomb. This was because He had done no violence nor was He speaking anything false or blasphemous. This prophecy was fulfilled in Jesus’ death on the cross as a criminal. Pilate, His Roman judge, found no fault in Him but the crowd demanded He be crucified. After His death, Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea asked for His body and wrapped it in linen and burial spices, burying Him in a new tomb with a secure entrance. (Matthew 27:57-60)
According to Isaiah, this was all God’s will and plan. His Son, Jesus Christ, would become like a sacrificial lamb, crushed and slaughtered for the sins of the world. Jesus willingly agreed and obeyed His Father, taking man’s sins in His own body, and offering Himself willingly as an offering acceptable to God. He could do this because He Himself was without sin, violence, or deceit.
As a result of His sacrifice, death and burial, the grave would not hold Him. He would see His offspring, souls who would believe on Him in faith and become children of God. He would rise from the dead as the firstborn of many brothers and sisters who also would enjoy eternal life–the ultimate prolonging of days! Because of Messiah’s obedience and offering, God’s will to save mankind from sin’s penalty of death would prosper to the saving of the whole world through the preaching of this Good News.
Prayer: Father God, thank You for completing and prospering Your will here on earth as in heaven. I pray today as Jesus taught us, “Our Father in heaven, hallowed by Your Name. Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as in heaven.” Amen!
Messiah Suffered Silently
Scripture reading for July 15: Isaiah 53:7-8 “He was oppressed, and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so He opened not His mouth. By oppression and judgment He was taken away; and as for His generation, who considered that He was cut out of the land of the living, stricken for the transgression of My people?”
Romans 5:8-9 “. . but God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by His blood, much more shall we be saved by Him from the wrath of God.”
Isaiah goes on describing prophetically the Messiah Who would come to save Israel, His people. This Messiah would come as an ordinary man, having no form or majesty that people would recognize. He would suffer oppression and be afflicted with suffering. Isaiah described Him to the people as a “Lamb that is led to slaughter” or “a sheep silent before the shearers.” The implication is innocence and willingness to be slaughtered or sheared! Jesus did not protest His innocence or promote the cause He was willing to die for. He humbly obeyed His Father’s plan.
It was justice that would take His life from the human point of view. The religious folks were plotting His death and setting up false accusations. They demanded a guilty verdict from Pilate and a criminal be set free. But it was to satisfy the justice of God that motivated the Messiah to suffer silently. God’s heart of mercy was demonstrated through the willing sacrifice of His only Son for sinners and rebels who pridefully oppressed Jesus and demanded that He be crucified. Isaiah again posed a question: “as for His generation, who considered that He was cut out of the land of the living, stricken for the transgression of My people?” The answer was most did not because they failed to believe God’s prophetic Word and receive revelation of the saving mercy planned through His Messiah.
Prayer: Father God, I am amazed that You would love us so much as to willingly and silently take the penalty for our sins in Your own Son’s body. Forgive me for remaining silent about this Good News. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit and heart of mercy for the lost that I might proclaim Jesus as Lord. Amen.
Jesus our Sin Bearer
Scripture reading for July 14: Isaiah 53:4-6 “Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was pierced for our transgressions; He was crushed for our iniquities; upon Him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with His wounds we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned –everyone–to his own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.”
Isaiah, writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit about seven hundred years before Jesus Christ, pours out the prophetic account of God’s plan to send His Messiah to earth on a mission. That mission was to save lost people from the consequence and penalty of their sins through substitutionary sacrifice. He has asked God’s people if they believed the report from God that he was delivering. This understanding would come by revelation from believing God’s Word.
Isaiah described the Messiah as One Who bore our grief and carried our sorrows. He would experience the life of fallen humans in a sin-cursed world full of sickness, disease, and sorrows of death. But those observing Him would think that God was punishing Him for His own sins. But the very opposite was what this Messiah would do. He would willingly be pierced for sinners’ transgressions, He would suffer crushing punishment for our own sinning. The beating that He would endure was for our own peace and the wounds He suffered would bring lost people healing.
Isaiah then noted that all of mankind were like sheep who had gone astray. Each person had turned away from God’s way to his own way of sin and self-will. Truly, all have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory. (Romans 3:23-24) But God’s plan through His Son, Jesus Christ was that our iniquity would be laid on Him. He would suffer the penalty of sin–death–on our behalf. Through Him we would be justified by faith in God’s Good News.
Prayer: Father God, thank You for Your amazing plan of redemption for all of us who have turned to our own way! Thank You for bringing healing and forgiveness and restoration of eternal life through the willing obedience of Your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ. By His wounds, I am healed! Amen!
“Who has Believed?”
Scripture reading for July 13: Isaiah 53:1-3 “Who has believed what he has heard from us? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? For He grew up before Him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; He had no form or majesty that we should look on Him, and no beauty that we should desire Him. He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as One from Whom men hide their faces.”
Hebrews 11:6 “And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him.”
One of the most famous passages in Isaiah describing God’s plan of salvation and healing is found in chapter 53. We will explore this passage this week in relation to God’s revelation of His heart to bring restoration to His people through faith in the One that He would send. Matthew 8:16-17 applies this passage in Isaiah to Jesus’ ministry of healing and deliverance.
Today’s passage begins with two questions for God’s people. The first question asks about our faith: “Who has believed what he has heard from us?” Faith is foundational to pleasing God, for without it, it is impossible to please God. (Hebrews 11:6) Faith comes by hearing the Word of God. (Romans 10:17) Isaiah asked God’s people if they trusted and believed what God said to them through his ministry.
The second question concerns revelation knowledge. This is knowledge gained from God’s Word that is beyond what our senses may be able to discern. “To whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?” asked the Israelites to discern beyond their human understanding. God revealed that His Messiah/Servant would come out of ‘dry ground’, not appearing to be anyone special and in a time of spiritual dryness. This ‘Servant’ would have no human characteristics that would mark Him as Messiah. In fact, He would be despised and rejected by men. He would be a man of sorrows and experience much grief. Some would want to hide their faces from Him. To discern God’s Messiah would require revelation knowledge beyond human reasoning.
Prayer: Father God, thank you for speaking to us, Your people. Thank You for revealing Your Son, Jesus Christ, that we might find our help in the Arm of the Lord that You provided to save us from our sins, sickness and disease. Open the eyes of our hearts to behold You. Amen.
The Holy One, Your Savior!
Scripture reading for July 9: Isaiah 43: 1-3 “But now thus says the Lord, He Who created you, O Jacob, He Who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, the flame shall not consume you. For I Am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.””
As we continue to explore Scriptures in Isaiah where God declares His “I Am” Name to encourage His people, we come to His declaration that He is the “Holy One of Israel, your Savior.” The Holy One declares God’s perfection in every way. He created the universe and man in particular. He formed the nation of Israel from Abraham, His friend. He called them all by name. “Jacob” was originally a cheat and one who wrestled with God. God changed his name to “Israel” meaning subdued by God. The Holy One of Israel was with them to help even in their weakness.
God redeemed His people from slavery in Egypt. He called them out of Egypt and lead them through the rivers and waters and the fiery desert. He proved His holiness and love through becoming their Savior and Redeemer. He tested their faith through their deliverance. They learned through the experience of going through the deep waters and the fire that God’s presence would sustain them and save them. He truly was their Holy One and Savior present with them on their journey to their eternal home.
These precious Scriptures remind us today that God is our “Holy One” and our “Savior” in whatever trial we are encountering on our journey through life’s wilderness. There are no waters to deep to walk through with Him nor is there a fire too hot that the flames will hurt us. We have His Holy Word and He is with us through His Holy Spirit!
Prayer: Father God, thank You for encouraging us with these “I Am” reminders. As I walk through life, empower me to declare by faith my identity as Your child, called by name. Make me holy as You are Holy! Amen.
“I Am your God”
Scripture reading for July 8: Isaiah 41:8-10 “But you, Israel, My servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, the offspring of Abraham, My friend; you whom I took from the ends of the earth, and called from its farthest corners, saying to you, “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.””
Isaiah the prophet was speaking to the nation of Israel during a time of war and political upheaval. Many in Israel were fearful and had difficulty trusting that the Lord was with them. God spoke clearly to them to encourage them. They were not alone nor were they cast off by the Lord as they were saying.
Instead, Isaiah reminded them that they were chosen by God. They had a new identity because of the covenant God made with Abraham, a friend of God. God had not forgotten the covenant or His promises. God was working in the midst of the political turmoil to bring about His purposes and establish His people firmly in their inheritance in His forever family. God was with them and was their “I Am” to drive out fear and dismay. He would uphold them against their enemies. In fact, in this case, Cyrus of Persia would actually be used to restore God’s people (Isaiah 44:28, 45:1) back to their land. Political intrigue and powerful tyrants make for fear and frustration of those who fail to know God and His promises. But for those who know their God and trust that He is with them, they experience God’s right hand of help.
Believers today can come under attack from sickness, disease, or demonic power. They often live in fear and forget God’s promises. But God reminds His people that “I Am with you” and “I Am your God.” He gives us His Holy Spirit to encourage and strengthen us day by day.
Prayer: Father God, thank You for Your amazing presence with us each day. Forgive me when I have let my circumstances, my attitude, and my weaknesses define me and my understanding of You. Fill me with the Holy Spirit and faith to overcome and live as Your child. Amen.
The Everlasting God: Creator
Scripture reading for July 7: Isaiah 40:28-31 “Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; His understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might He increases strength. Even youths grow weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.”
As we continue to explore the God we love and serve, we find this familiar passage in Isaiah the prophet that begins with two questions. These questions were prefaced by God’s people questioning whether or not God was with them. They were saying that their situation was hidden from God and He did not understand what they were going through. But God knew their thoughts and answered their fears with questions that would open their hearts. Did they not know He was the Everlasting God? Did they not remember that He created them and all things?
God is the Everlasting God, the Creator of all. As God Almighty, He is never tired, weak or weary. He specializes in giving strength to the weak and reviving those who are fainting from the struggle to believe. This weariness and weakness is common to all mankind because of sin and sickness that resulted from man’s disobedience. As the Everlasting God, He has knowledge of everything, even beyond what we can think or imagine. God called His people to wait upon Him for renewal and restoration. He promised that all who would wait would renew their strength. They would even mount up like eagles after going through their annual time of waiting as God renewed their feathers and beaks and they could soar again. Our Creator is strong and loves us with an everlasting love.
Prayer: Father God, thank You for Your amazing understanding of our needs, weakness and struggles. Thank You that You are the Everlasting God Who never grows tired of us and our weaknesses. Help me as I wait upon You to find restoration in Jesus Christ, the Everlasting Son of God, my Savior. Amen!
Day 2–Faith’s Perfect Peace
Scripture reading for March 10: Isaiah 26:2-4 “Open the gates, that the righteous nation that keeps faith may enter in. You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting Rock.”
It is our Lord’s desire as ‘Prince of Peace’ that we all enter into the righteous kingdom of heaven under His blessed Kingship. This peace is not just the absence of war or conflict. This peace is between us and God. The barrier of God’s wrath against sin is removed through faith in the One offering it. It comes as we choose to repent of running our own life and invite Jesus Christ to be Lord over our life. (Romans 3:24) This opens the Gate or Door, Who is Jesus Himself. (John 10:7) Trust grows as we develop a relationship with God that He promises will last forever.
The peace offered is called “perfect peace” by Isaiah. It is perfect in that all hostility between man and God ceases because Jesus Christ has satisfied God’s wrath against sin. We are declared ‘righteous’ through our faith in Christ’s sacrifice. Justice is satisfied and perfect peace abides as we fill our minds and hearts with God’s eternal truth. To stay in this peace, we fix our minds on Christ and meditate on His Word. As we do this day by day, God’s peace transforms our thinking, attitudes, and actions. People notice and can ask us how this can be. (1 Peter 3:15)
It is a great blessing when first responders enjoy the perfect peace coming from faith. We don’t earn this peace or work to make it evident. It is a gift from God that marks our lives and helps us daily to stay calm when others are at their worst. No matter what we face, this peace guards our hearts and minds and comforts those we help. (Philippians 4:7)
Prayer: Father God, I want to enter into the peace You offer. I have put my trust in Your Son, Jesus Christ. Help me to daily choose to trust You. Fill me with this perfect peace that I may share that with those caught up in this world’s turmoil and conflict. Amen.