Posts Tagged ‘ Isaiah ’

Advent 2022 – Day 4: Isaiah 9:13

The people did not turn to him who struck them, nor inquire of the Lord of hosts.

Isaiah 9:13, ESV

At Advent, we look back at why Jesus had to come, that He came, and then that He will come again.

We do horrible things to each other and against God.

We don’t like to believe that God punishes people, either. However, the Old Testament shows how often Israel disobeyed God, and God allowed and even sent disasters and armies to correct them and draw them back to Himself.

But we like to think we know better, so we refuse to go to Him or even blame Him for everything wrong in this life.

How could He allow such bad things to happen? How could a good God let evil happen to good people?

But He has told us that none of us are truly good, that we don’t seek our Maker.

He sends and allows because He has given us the choice to ignore, hate, and refuse Him.

Yet God came to us, willingly taking our hatred and accusations and refusals to the cross, giving us in return grace and forgiveness and acceptance.

Yes, God sends things that hurt but it to draw us in, and He also sends Himself to hold us.

May we seek the Lord who draws us in.

Advent 2022 – Day 3: Isaiah 9:4

For the yoke of his burden, and the staff for his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian.

Isaiah 9:4, ESV

At Advent, we look back at why Jesus had to come, that He came, and then that He will come again.

There are many times in this world that we burden and oppress each other.

We either attempt to force our own will on others, add our will (rules) to God’s will, or have the will of others forced on us.

We dare to put ourselves in God’s place or blame Him for the sin of others.

We willingly choose our own path, carrying the burden of our sin, thinking we are good in our own right.

The ways of this world drag us down, and we complain and try to fix things ourselves … or accept that we are nothing and hold onto this view.

And many times we lash out at each other, seeking comfort, even if through burdening others.

And if we blame God, we also say His ways must be more burdensome, not wanting to acknowledge that we have burdened ourselves.

Yet God came to us, willingly taking our burden upon His shoulders, removing the oppression of sin by dying on the cross we deserved!

We may still struggle with the problems of this world, but Jesus has promised that we will have troubles. He has given us His yoke of loving others.

May we seek to lead our world to theOne who ends sin’s oppression.

Advent 2022 – Day 1: Isaiah 9:1

But there will be no gloom for her who was in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he has made glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations.

Isaiah 9:1, ESV

At Advent, we look back at why Jesus had to come, that He came, and then that He will come again.

As humans, we have a tendency to let those around us influence us more than God.

Look at Eve with the serpent.

Look at the brothers of Joseph, even though Reuben had tried to save him, still going along with his brothers.

Look at Israel as a nation, constantly turning to the gods of their neighbors.

Zebulun and Naphtali were the same, living way in the north of Israel, what came to be known as Galilee, often overrun with Gentile pagans, and they frequently gave in to their practices rather than worship the one true God.

Yet, God tells them that in the last days they would be blessed.

There is a reminder that we all fall short of God, that we need His help to be good, righteous, holy. We may wander far from Him, yet God comes to us. He makes a way for us. God comes and shares His glory.

If we are willing to see His light in our dark world.

VerseD: Isaiah 25:8

He will swallow up death forever; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces, and the reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth,  for the Lord has spoken.

Isaiah 25:8, ESV

When Christ came, He took away our sin and shame.

When Christ comes, He will remove pain, fear, sadness, and death forever.

VerseD: Isaiah 7:14

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
Isaiah 7:14, ESV

God came to us in a most unexpected way: as a human baby. But the man He grew into brought us hope and salvation from God’s wrath through His death and resurrection!

VerseD: Isaiah 40:29

He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength.
Isaiah 40:29, ESV

God uses the weak in this world to change the world.
Live a weak life. See what God can do through you when you humbly submit to Him.

VerseD: Isaiah 41:13

For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you.”
Isaiah 41:13, ESV

God is nearest the lowly, it is said. Yet, God is omnipresent – everywhere. We are more aware of Him when at our lowest.
That is when we get ourselves out of the way and listen to the One comforting us and guiding us in truth.

VerseD: Isaiah 41:10

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 41:10, ESV

Our Lord is greater than anything we face. We need not fear, for our strong and faithful God is with us.

VerseD: Isaiah 53:6

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
Isaiah 53:6, ESV

None of us is guiltless against God.
Yet He placed all our guilt on Jesus and gave us the gift of grace.

VerseD: Isaiah 25:8

He will swallow up death forever; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces, and the reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth, for the Lord has spoken.
Isaiah 25:8, ESV

Christ defeated death and sin at the Passover weekend 2000 years ago.
We are merely in the small closing battles until His triumphant return!