I have been blogging though Isaiah since February 20, two days before the beginning of Lent, until August 31. It has been an experience like no other. If I had thought to do this, I would not have attempted it, but God brought me to it and through it. I decided to go back and reread my blogs and see what impression I had of the entire book from all the pieces. Here are a few things I gleaned:
God keeps His promises about Jesus whether you are looking at his mission, purpose, places, happenings, etc. They are all true. Many were fulfilled when Jesus came but there are some remaining about His return and reign that we can be assured will be true even though they are future to us. We can trust God to fulfill them just as He promised because He has proven Himself trustworthy 100% on all He has given to us. God also included His promises to save, support, comfort, affirm or always have a remnant of believers present. Isaiah is a book filled with God’s promises. Here are a couple for you to review about Jesus. Isaiah 9:6 “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.” Isaiah 53:3 “He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem. Here are a couple of promises to claim today. Isaiah 40:27-30 “He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.30 Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; 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. Isaiah 49:16 “See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me.”
God’s character is revealed in Isaiah as in no other book. Here is a list of attributes I found and I know I missed some. I was so encouraged by this list! God’s glory is revealed in Jesus. God is Eternal, Powerful, Ruler of Heaven and Earth, Creator, Sovereign, Omniscient, Omnipresent, Omnipotent, Redeemer, Savior, foundation of our faith, the One and Only God, Holy, Faithful, Merciful, Defender, Just, unfailing in His Love, Restorer, Zealous, Righteous, Father, Prince of Peace, Peace loving Wonderful Counselor and He grieves over our sinfulness. God is the one and only unique God who loves and bestows compassion, mercy, justice, peace, care, help, guidance, faith, joy, hope and rest upon us. I was so amazed at how much I learned or had affirmed about God- who He is and what He does. How much He loves and cares for me and desires that I follow Him. May these words remind you of whom we worship. Isaiah 40:22-28
25 “To whom will you compare me? Or who is my equal?” says the Holy One.
26 Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these?
He who brings out the starry host one by one
and calls forth each of them by name.
Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing. 27 Why do you complain, Jacob? Why do you say, Israel, “My way is hidden from the Lord; my cause is disregarded by my God”?
28 Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.
Isaiah is also filled with God’s grief over the sins of His people. He points out their rebellion (and ours too) and beckons them to return to Him. He is longsuffering and desires a relationship with us. Isaiah 1:2- 4 “Listen, O heavens! Pay attention, earth! This is what the Lord says: “The children I raised and cared for have rebelled against me. 3 Even an ox knows its owner,
and a donkey recognizes its master’s care—but Israel doesn’t know its master. My people don’t recognize my care for them.” 4 Oh, what a sinful nation they are— loaded down with a burden of guilt. They are evil people,
corrupt children who have rejected the Lord. They have despised the Holy One of Israel
and turned their backs on him.
What can I take away from this study? God is reliable and keeps His promises. This is a great comfort to me and assures me that my present and future are secure!
God’s is unchanging and I can depend upon His character. His attributes comfort, uplift and guide me. I don’t need to doubt as He is consistent generation to generation. He is unchanging, Hebrews 13:8 “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” and Hebrews 6:18 “So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us.”
God grieves over my sin and desires a relationship with me. Isaiah 1:18-20 “Come now, let’s settle this,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, I will make them as white as wool. 19 If you will only obey me,
you will have plenty to eat. 20 But if you turn away and refuse to listen,
you will be devoured by the sword of your enemies. I, the Lord, have spoken!”
Lastly, the phrase that is repeated over and over in Isaiah is God the Holy One of Israel. God’s holiness is seen in contrast to the rebellion and sinfulness of the kings and their people. The way they treated one another and had no respect or love for God is laid out before them. Isaiah does not hold anything back as God is brutally honest and truthful about their sin. We can learn from this and seek Holy God. Come to Him in humility realizing our sinfulness. Isaiah 66:2 God reminds us:
My hands have made both heaven and earth;
they and everything in them are mine.
I, the Lord, have spoken! “I will bless those who have humble and contrite hearts,
who tremble at my word.”
I pray you were blessed by this study.
Linda
Fearless Living 