| Day 53 |
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The reading for day 53 was Isaiah 53:1-the end of the book.
There is so much material in these chapters that God has given that there would be no way for me to cover all of it. Chapter 53 is a beautiful picture of Christ and what He did for us even though "he was despised,and we did not esteem him." We would do well to remember what this chapter says that He suffered on our behalf. 53:4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. 53:5 But he [was] wounded for our transgressions, [he was] bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace [was] upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
These last few chapters focus more on the mercy of God than the chapters before them. He tells us what He will do for His people after He has quenched His wrath.
54:8 In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the LORD thy Redeemer.
There is a verse in chapter 55 that I believe is almost always used out of context. Here it is. 55:11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper [in the thing] whereto I sent it.
The context of this verse is God's salvation being offered. It is about Jesus. It is NOT about the reading of God's word, though it may be true about that as well. "My thoughts are not your thoughts" is also about Jesus and the way God chose to bring salvation to His people. Read the whole chapter and if you don't agree...I would like to know why...any thoughts?
Isaiah chapter 58 is one of the most important chapters to me. There are so many things written in this chapter that if we will just do them, God will bless us beyond measure. The chapter starts with God sarcastically saying 58:2 Yet they seek me daily, and delight to know my ways, as a nation that did righteousness, and forsook not the ordinance of their God: they ask of me the ordinances of justice; they take delight in approaching to God.
God is angry with them for their false religion and their hypocricy. In verse 6 He tells them what He wants and what He will do for them if they will do what He wants. What does God want? Here is a list:
1. Loosen the bonds of wickedness.
2. Undo the bands of the yoke.
3. Let the oppressed go free.
4. Break every yoke.
5. Divide your bread with the hungry.
6. Bring the homeless poor into the house.
7. Cover the naked.
8. Remove the yoke from your midst.
9. Don't gossip.
10. Give yourself to the hungry.
11. Satisfy the desire of the afflicted.
What do we get in return? Another list:
1. Your light will break out like the dawn
2. Your recovery will spring speedily forth
3. Righteousness will go before you
4. THE GLORY OF THE LORD WILL BE YOUR REAR GAURD (WOW!!!)
5. You will call, and the Lord will answer
6. Your light will rise in the darkness
7. Your GLOOM will become like MIDDAY
8. THE LORD WILL CONTINUALLY GUIDE YOU
9. Satisfy your desire in scorched places
10. Give strength to your bones
11. You will be like a watered garden
12. Like a spring of water whose waters do not fail
13. You will raise up the age-old foundations
14. You will be called the repairer of the breach
So...why don't we do these things as a church? Anybody? Do we not believe His promises? Are we just selfish? What do you think?
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