Isaiah 66 - Which Way Do You Choose?

LINK: Isaiah 66

BACKGROUND

In this chapter we get a picture of our glorious God on His throne with the earth as His footstool (Acts 7:49). He is the Creator, and what He desires from His created people is humility, contrition, and worship rather than just outward conformity to rules. This is the gist of the whole book of Isaiah!

As the chapter continues, there is a promise of the future when Israel will return to the land. In that time, peace and prosperity will come to Jerusalem, but God will come down in judgment on His and Israel's enemies. 

When the Messiah returns, His judgment will be on all nations (Zechariah 14:3; Revelation 19:17-18), and the world will see His glory. Then, the remnant will go out to "proclaim His glory among the nations" (66:19) and fulfill the Abrahamic Covenant that through Abraham's seed "all the nations" would be blessed (Genesis 12:3)! By the way, Tarshish was in southwestern Spain. Lydia in western Asia Minor, and Tubal in northeastern Asia Minor.

The book concludes with Isaiah's prophecy of the Lord establishing a new heaven and new earth where all mankind (meaning people from all nations) will worship the Lord and bow down before Him (Revelation 21:1). The final verses serve as a sobering reminder that judgment will come for those who rebel against the Lord and that unrepentant people need to turn to Him!

The Scarlet Thread of Redemption

Isaiah is embedded with the message that, someday, God would come to earth and dwell among us. 

Jesus came about 700 years later fulfilling Isaiah's prophecies and announcing that He was Emmanuel, "God in the flesh." He came to pay for the sins of the whole world.

As a review of Isaiah, The Anointed One would be:

• a descendant of Jesse (11:1)
• miraculously born of a virgin (7:14)
• a worker of miracles (35:5)
• pierced and crushed for our sins (53:5)
• the bearer of our sins (53:12)
• buried in a rich man's tomb (53:9)
• a great light (Isaiah 9:2)
• A righteous ruler (Isaiah 9:6)
• A wonderful counselor (Isaiah 9:6)
• A mighty God (Isaiah 9:6)
• Source of eternity (Isaiah 9:6) 

Hallelujah!

REFLECTION

The summation of the whole book of Isaiah is held in these key verses:

But to this one I will look,

To him who is humble and contrite of spirit,

and who trembles at My word.

But he who kills an ox is like one who slays a man;

He who sacrifices a lamb is like the one who breaks a dog’s neck;

He who offers a grain offering is like one who offers swine’s blood;

He who burns incense is like the one who blesses an idol.

As they have chosen their own ways,

And their soul delights in their abominations. 

(Isaiah 66:2b-3)

There have been two roads since Genesis: 

The way of Abel (devotion) or 

The way of Cain (rebellion).

May we choose the way of devotion straight to the heart of our glorious God.

APPLICATION

There have been times over the last week when I have not wanted to post anything about the chapter because I have been completely overwhelmed by God's glorious presence. The ending of Isaiah is a picture of God's glory filling the earth. So, the only application I can suggest is pure and unadulterated worship.

PRAYER

Thank You for the beautiful picture of YOU we have seen in Isaiah. Lord, teach us to be humble and contrite and to tremble at Your Word. We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.

Isaiah 65 - Salvation for All

LINK: Isaiah 65

BACKGROUND 

This is the Lord's response to the remnant's prayer (63:7-64:12). It is a beautiful summation of what God has been saying through Isaiah the entire book:

65:1-7: Israel continually rejected God's outreach of love by disobeying His laws when they worshiped idols (Exodus 20:1-6), consulted spirits (Leviticus 19:31), and ate forbidden food (Leviticus 11). Judgment was necessary. This would come in the form of the Assyrian threat (Isaiah 1-37) and the Babylonian Exile (Isaiah 38-66). 

65:8-12: In judgment, He would preserve a faithful remnant (a few grapes). Jesus made the same point in Matthew 13:36-43.  

65:13-16: God contrasts the Lord's servants (eat, drink, rejoice, sing for joy, and given another name) with those who rejected Him (hunger, thirst, and be shamed, wail in anguish, be cursed, and put to death).  

65:17-25: God will establish His kingdom of righteousness and peace. 

The Scarlet Thread of Redemption

Many themes in Isaiah 63-66 will also be addressed in Revelation:

• New heaven and new earth (65:17; 66:22; Revelation 21:1)
• Judge in bloodstained garments (63:1-3; Revelation 19:11-13)
• No more weeping or crying (65:19; Revelation 7:17; 21:4)
• Peace like a river (66:12; Revelation 22:1-2)

REFLECTION 

You might recall that I have said God's intention has been for ALL peoples to come to know Him, both Jew and Gentile. Isaiah 65:1 gets at this point:

I permitted Myself to be sought by those who did not ask for Me; 

I permitted Myself to be found by those who did not seek Me. 

I said, "Here am I, here am I," 

To a nation which did not call on My name. 

Even though the Gentile nations did not seek the Lord or experience the blessings He gave to Israel, salvation would go to the Gentiles! 

As further confirmation, Paul quotes Isaiah 65:1 in Romans 10:19-20. If Israel was rejecting God's offer, then He would give it to the Gentiles. For further study about this, see Luke 14:16-24 and Acts 28:23-31. 

And believe it or not, most of us on this blog are GENTILES. So, that is truly GOOD NEWS!!

APPLICATION 

The GOOD NEWS is for every person on earth. Hope you can take that to heart today. You would be surprised to know how many people are sincerely searching for God. We just need to pray that God will lead you to those "people of peace" who really want to hear.

Three main responses (characteristics) that can be summarized about a “Person of Peace with the acronym WOOL:

• WELCOMES/HOSTS us – and often feeds us and wants us to stay in their home  

• OPENS their Oikos (Greek word for family/group/community/network) to the Good News 

• LISTENS to us as we share about God/a new spiritual message (does not necessarily receive the message, but willing to listen to it.) 

PRAYER

Lead us to those who are seeking and teach us to be bold to share the Good News! Amen. 

Isaiah 63 & 64 - Judah's Penitent Prayer

LINK: Isaiah 63 & 64  

BACKGROUND

Isaiah 63:1-6 speaks of a day of judgment coming when the blood of the enemies of God's people will stain God's garments as He rides forward to deliver Israel. Edom was a constant enemy of Israel even though they had a common ancestry in Isaac (Genesis 25:23). Bozrah is a city in Edom in southern modern-day Jordan (see Amos 1:11, 12; Obadiah 10, 11; Malachi 1:2-4).

Isaiah 63:7-64:12 is the prayer of the Jewish remnant in Babylon who were hopeless but remembered God's goodness and kindness from times past, especially the Exodus and parting of the Red Sea to save them from the Egyptian pursuers. 

This remnant begged God to remember them in the same way He remembered them in Egypt. They begged for tenderness and compassion and the punishment of their enemies. They implored Him, "make Your name known to your enemies" (64:2). They would acknowledge their sin and lack of prayer (64:5-7). Then, they would wait (64:4) and trust (64:8-12). 

MEDITATION

Here is a more focused meditation on a portion of today's reading from Isaiah 63:7-14. It includes a meditation on God's goodness in your life. It is part of the larger Spiritual Exercises of Ignatius.

REFLECTION (written in 2009)

One of my biggest weaknesses is forgetting to pray and wait. I will often get ahead of God and "make things happen" or get really anxious about things. I have something I am anxious about today. As I read Isaiah 64:7a, "No one calls on your name or strives to lay hold of you," I thought of the words I read by Thomas Aquinas earlier in the morning:

But if we consider the actual petition, then we do offer something to God when we pray. For the very act of petitioning is an act of subjection; it is an acknowledgment of God's power. And the proof of this is that proud men would prefer to submit to want rather than humble themselves by asking anything of others. Further, the petitioner, by the very fact that he petitions, acknowledges that he whom he petitions has the power to assist him, and is merciful, or just, or provident; it is for this reason that he hopes to be heard. Hence petition or prayer is regarded as an act of the virtue of religion, the object of which is to give honour to God. For we honour God by asking things of Him, and this by so much the more as--whether from our manner of asking or from the nature of what we ask for--we acknowledge Him to be above all things, to be our Creator, our Provider, our Redeemer, etc. (On Prayer and the Contemplative Life, p. 35.)

What I see in this section of Scripture is that Israel was not too proud to beg God. They acknowledged His power in the past, and they hoped He would display that power again. 

It is good to remember that we honor God by our asking. 

2014 Update: Huge growth in this area. I am not so sure I struggle with forgetting to wait anymore. It is so fun to read these old entries and see that God is growing me! I do not even remember what I was anxious about that day.

2023 Update: I don't have a lot of anxiety anymore either. I have learned so much about balance and saying, "No" when God tells me to say it. I'm more comfortable with possibly disappointing people. Growth! Three things have helped me to grow in this area:

Immanuel Journaling - I explained it in the Isaiah 41 post.

Walking

St. Augustine once said, "Solivitur Ambulando" (things are solved by walking). Integrating my body into what is swirling in my mind helps me work through things in prayer to God. (There is brain science to back that up too.)

In the walking, I often stop at a labyrinth at the top of the "hospital hill" less than a mile from my house. This labyrinth was an Eagle Scout Service Project. He designed it to have healing plants along the route. I love it because I go there to walk things out with God and receive His healing. 

I walk in and 

Release the negative emotions, sin, burden, etc.

I walk in a circle when I reach the center and

Receive whatever God wants to say to me.

I walk out and 

Return Resolved to walk in what He told me.  

The Healing Labyrinth - I need to get a picture 
in June when it is in full bloom!

APPLICATION 

How can you honor God by your asking today?

Is it time for a walk? As these days get longer, part of your morning time with God can be walking and processing with the Lord.

PRAYER

Lord, I ask You for that special unspoken request I have today. Amen. 

Isaiah 61 & 62 - "Get Ready 'Cause Here He Comes"

LINK: Isaiah 61 & 62

BACKGROUND

The Scarlet Thread of Redemption

Isaiah 61 - The Coming of the Messiah

We know that the "me" at the beginning of the chapter is the Messiah. The Hebrew word for Messiah means "the Anointed One," and Christ is the Greek equivalent of this Hebrew word (christos is from the root word chriō, "to anoint"). Isaiah 61:1-2a was read by Jesus in Luke 4:18-19 about Himself.

The mission of the Messiah is clearly stated in these first three verses. Jesus stopped at the first part of 61:2, but 61:2b-3 will be carried out at the second coming of Jesus Christ when He returns to bring judgment on unbelievers (Micah 5:15; Revelation 19:15-20) but comfort, rebuilding, salvation, righteousness, and blessing to Israel.

Isaiah 62 - Preparing for His Coming

In turn, God will cause Israel's righteousness to be known by other nations (61:11; 62:1-2) which is what He wanted for Israel all along! Jerusalem will be given a new name with a new righteous character. In the ancient Near East, names often signified one's anticipated or present character. This name will go from meaning "forsaken/deserted" and "desolate" to "My delight is in her" and "married one." The new relationship between God and Israel will be like a very happy marriage!

The "watchmen" of the ancient world were stationed on city walls to watch for approaching enemies. Righteous Israelites were to pray unceasingly for God's future peace and blessing for them (62:7; Psalm 122:6)! They were to prepare themselves spiritually for His coming (see Isaiah 40:1-11 and Isaiah 62).

REFLECTION - "Get Ready 'Cause Here I Come"

This song by The Temptations kept going through my mind as I was thinking about the Lord coming again, and my preparation for Him. I know it is a secular song, and I hope it doesn't offend anyone. The secular song sings of human love, but Jesus brings true love, and He is pursuing you!

Imagine Him singing it to you:

And I'm bringing you a love that's true

So get ready, so get ready.

I'm gonna try to make you love me too

So get ready, so get ready 'cause here I come

(Get ready 'cause here I come) I'm on my way

(Get ready 'cause here I come)

If you wanna play hide and seek with love, let me remind you

It's alright

But the lovin' you're gonna miss in the time it takes to find you

It's outta sight

So fiddle-lee-dee, fiddle-lee-dum

Look out baby, 'cause here I come. 

And I'm bringing you a love that's true

So get ready, so get ready

I'm gonna try to make you love me too.

So get ready, so get ready 'cause here I come

(Get ready 'cause here I come) I'm on my way

(Get ready 'cause here I come)

APPLICATION

Get ready because He is going to come! 

Here are two ways we can prepare:

1. Prayer - Are you praying like a "watchman" on the wall and claiming God's promises? Jesus instructed us to pray, "Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven" (Matthew 6:10). We are also instructed to pray for the peace of Jerusalem (Psalm 122:6).
2. Living as a "chosen people" (Exodus 19:5; 1 Peter 2:9) and a bride preparing for the bridegroom (Isaiah 62:5; Revelation 19:7).

God desires that we live lifestyles that are tantalizingly different from the world. It does not mean we have to be weird but different. We should "live lives that demand an explanation" and give a "sweet aroma" to those around us (1 Peter 3:15; 2 Corinthians 2:14). How do you smell lately?

I recently shot photos of a bride preparing for her wedding ceremony. She took great care to be ready for her bridegroom. She smelled nice. She looked beautiful; but most importantly, she presented herself in purity to her bridegroom (which in today's culture is "tantalizingly different"!).

Are you preparing for your bridegroom by letting the Spirit work through you to live a righteous and holy life? See Galatians 5:19-23 as a description of things to avoid as well as fruit to cultivate.

PRAYER

Lord, we are Your bride. We ask Your Holy Spirit to teach us how to prepare the way for You by living righteous and holy lives before You. We ask this because of the holy and righteous life of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Isaiah 60 - Arise, Shine, for Your Light Has Come

LINK: Isaiah 60

BACKGROUND

The last six chapters of Isaiah will deal with the future kingdom. Think LIGHT for Israel, who will turn around and be a light that reveals God's glory for the peoples of the world. People from all over will come to Jerusalem because God was living there, and they would be drawn to His light. One day, people from all over the world will see God as the one true God!

The future reality promised in Isaiah 60:19-20 is also promised in Revelation 21:23, 24, and 22:5.

REFLECTION/APPLICATION

There are no words for this chapter. It is so beautiful. Just soak in it today and praise God!

Jesus is the Light that has come. The words "Behold Your Light Has Come" are in the second verse of this beautiful song, Immanuel, by Michael Card. It always makes me cry. Enjoy this music as you meditate today:

2023 Update: I posted a new video (the old link is broken), and the sun is dawning through the darkness as I listen. It is a God moment. 

PRAYER

We praise You, God, as the everlasting light. Amen.

Isaiah 59 - Sin Separates, But the Lord Saves

LINK: Isaiah 59

BACKGROUND

Sin separates us from God. The actions of those who sin are like deadly poisonous snakes (vipers/adders, 59:5). As a result, they have no peace, walk in darkness and gloom like blind men, growl like bears, moan like doves, etc. You get the picture, and it is not pretty.

The Scarlet Thread of Redemption

Yet God has a plan for salvation. In fact, He is the only one who can save them (and us). Israel was not able to help herself. Neither can we.

God would act to rescue the nation from the Assyrians and Babylonians, and He would rescue His people from their sin. He would do that through the Messiah, Jesus.

Isaiah 59:20, 21 are quoted in Romans:

For I do not want you, brethren, to be uninformed of this mystery—so that you will not be wise in your own estimation—that a partial hardening has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in; and so all Israel will be saved; just as it is written, “The Deliverer will come from Zion, He will remove ungodliness from Jacob.” “This is My covenant with them, When I take away their sins.” (Romans 11:25-27)

REFLECTION and APPLICATION

Sin separates us from God, and that is not a good thing. That is why any vital prayer life needs to involve a thorough searching of our hearts for any unconfessed sin.

Search me, O God, and know my heart;  

Try me and know my anxious thoughts; 

And see if there be any hurtful way in me,  

And lead me in the everlasting way. 

(Psalm 139:23-24)

Do not forget to include confession in your prayer time today!

2023 Update: I find the Prayer of Examen so helpful for this. 

In the Examen, you start out with Thanksgiving. This helps you to have your focus on God and your gratefulness to him. Then, you look at moments of consolation - where you saw the light of God in your day and responded to Him. Then, you look at your desolations - where you have turned away from Him. God searches our hearts, but we have been looking at Him and who He really is: compassionate, loving, a giver of good gifts, and present in your day. Actually, Psalm 139 starts with praise and thanksgiving. Then, it gets into His searching our hearts for hurtful ways. Confession of sin is in the "bubble wrap" of a proper understanding of God's love! Who wouldn't want to be in a right relationship with this God?

PRAYER

Lord, we do not want to walk in darkness but in Your wonderful light. Search us and know our hearts today and lead us in the everlasting way. Thank You that we can stand on the promise that if we confess our sins, You are faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). We can stand on this because of the blood of Jesus, and it is in His name we pray. Amen.

Isaiah 57 & 58 - True Devotion

LINK: Isaiah 57 & 58

Isaiah 57 continues a condemnation of the wicked that started in Isaiah 56:9. He makes the statement that the righteous are better off dead because they can live in peace and be spared the evil of the day! The rest of the Israelites were involved in pagan practices that included idol worship, sorcery, adultery, religious prostitution, and even child sacrifice to the Ammonite god, Molech (2 Kings 23:10; Jeremiah 32:35). Even in the face of dying (57:9) for those practices, they still did not give up their sinful ways but found renewed strength to continue (57:10)!

Israel had forgotten God, but He would not forget them. His anger would not be forever because He is a gracious and forgiving God and would heal the contrite and humble.

Isaiah 58 starts the final section of the book (58-66) which looks to the present and future for God's delivered people. The present is bleak, but the future will bring the Messiah who will shine on Jerusalem, and Jerusalem will shine on all the peoples of the world!

Isaiah 58 is a call for obedience that was not merely external. They were going through the motions of religion without an inward faith. Their religious fasts did not change the poor relationships they had with others and their treatment of the poor, helpless, and oppressed. "True fasting is more than what we don't eat; it is pleasing God by applying his Word to our society" (Life Application Bible, p. 1268).

There is a promise of great blessing for those who practice inner righteousness revealed in outward acts of justice and mercy (58:6-12).

REFLECTION - True Devotion and Social Justice

Isaiah 58 is so timely. My friend, Patty, and I were just talking about our primary goal as believers. She was questioning the value of these one-year Bible training schools that emphasize devotional life and discipleship without an outreach component to them. I pointed out that some of these schools emphasize a deep devotional life for these young people, and that devotion leads to an overflow of service to others. We are involved with several young adults who went to this type of school, and they are deep in devotion and serve the Lord in many ways. In fact, I have a prayer letter for one of them right next to my computer. She is leading a team serving in Southeast Asia this summer!

Let's face it, it would not be true devotion if it did not go beyond personal devotion and growth to acts of kindness, charity, justice, and generosity! But would it be true service for the Lord if a person had no devotion to the Lord behind it? I have seen plenty of very busy believers, but I see no evidence of devotion to the Lord in their lives. They are running on empty. Anyone can "do" service. In fact, there are many people involved in community service who are atheists!

In our discussion, Patty and I concluded that it was all about balance and overflow. We really cannot have devotion without service or service without devotion if we are sincerely walking in obedience to the Lord!

What do you think?

APPLICATION - It is All About Balance Baby! 

Is your service running on empty because your devotional source in the Lord has dried up?

Is your devotional life leading you to look at the world through God's eyes of compassion, kindness, charity, justice, and generosity? Are you acting upon it?

Here is a challenging book that I read lately about service: The Externally-Focused Church

We all struggle with that balance. Thankfully, I live under church leadership that believes in blessing the community and world! So, I am not seen as a "flake" when I do not make it to every church activity and choose to spend time with non-believers instead. Some churches are not like this, and they are constantly demanding our time and attention for internally-focused events.

Our family is purposeful about blessing the community because if we are not, our time gets gobbled up in more internally-focused things. So, we volunteer for our library by delivering books to shut-ins. We also help with the Linn Benton Food Share and its special projects. We try to look for projects throughout the year where we can bless others. We also try to bless our neighborhood by keeping our eyes open for service and by baking bread. God has orchestrated some pretty providential deliveries that have ministered to people.

Another way to bless the community is just by "Random Acts of Kindness." There are little things we can do every day. We just need to keep our eyes open!

Pray for opportunities to bless others this week!

Now, off to do Dial-a-Book deliveries. What a rewarding ministry that we have done since 2002!

2023 Update: COVID killed our Dial-a-Book delivery service because they started delivering to everyone (not just shut-ins) and have continued the service for all patrons who request it. I still bake bread for people in my neighborhood, and here is a story of a more recent delivery that turned out to be such a blessing (when we cast our bread, it comes back to us - Ecclesiastes 11:1).

Also, about outward service flowing out of inward devotion. Here is a video I made regarding that:

Living in the Cycle of Grace

PRAYER

Lord, teach us to walk in devotion to You through time in prayer and Your Word and acts of service. We ask us in the name of the One who came to serve and give His life as a ransom for many. Amen.

Isaiah 55 & 56 - Invitation to Gentile Nations

LINK: Isaiah 55 & 56 

BACKGROUND 

In review:

Isaiah 52-53 was a promise of redemption through the Servant Messiah.
Isaiah 54 was a promise of restoration and fruit for Israel.

In the next five chapters:

Isaiah 55:1-56:8 is an invitation to Gentile nations.
Isaiah 56:9-59:21 is a warning to rebellious sinners that they need to repent.

Isaiah 55:1-56:8

The Servant Messiah of Isaiah 52-53 did not just die for Israel, but He also died for the sins of the whole world (John 1:29; 1 John 4:14). I have been saying since the beginning of Bible Book Club that God's plan was for all nations to be blessed through Israel, and Jesus is the descendant of Israel to bless the nations! This section is an invitation to the Gentile nations to come (55:1), listen to (55:2), and seek and call on (55:6) the God of Israel.  Beginning in Isaiah 56, this is the first time the Lord invited the Gentiles to join the Jews in keeping the Sabbath and His covenant. (Contrast Deuteronomy 23:1-8 with Isaiah 56:6-8. See also the story of the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8:25-40.) Jesus is now the Sabbath rest (Hebrews 4) and New Covenant (Jeremiah 31:31-34; Hebrews 8:7-13) for all peoples of the earth. 

Isaiah 56:9-12

This is an indictment against Israel's "watchmen" (Ezekiel 3:17-21; 33:1-11) and "shepherds" who were the leaders of the nation. Their godless conduct caused Judah to fall to Babylon (Lamentations 4:13-14).

APPLICATION 

God is calling me to pray for the Gentile nations to come to Him. Go to joshuaproject.net to pray for a different unreached people group every day! Update: There is an app and podcast now too! I listen to the 1-minute podcast daily.

PRAYER

Lord, draw all nations to You. I ask this in Jesus' name. Amen. 

Isaiah 54 - Restoration

LINK: Isaiah 54

BACKGROUND 

This is a positive chapter about the restoration of Israel. Israel had been a "barren woman."  In Jewish culture, it was disgraceful to be without children and a sign that God was not blessing the woman (1 Samuel 1:1-2:10). God is the faithful husband who forgives Israel, the unfaithful wife, and restores her to great blessing! The marriage image is used quite a bit in Old Testament prophecy (Isaiah 50:1-2; 62:4; Jeremiah 3:8; Hosea 2, and Ezekiel 16, 23). God's covenant with Israel at Mt. Sinai (Exodus 19) was like a marriage, and they had not kept the covenant!

The deliverance from captivity and restoration was one of joy and singing (Isaiah mentions singing over 30 times in the book) and fruitfulness as the nation would increase and need more room to accommodate its growth. They would be fully forgiven and assured that they would not be destroyed again. 

Paul quoted Isaiah 54:1 in Galatians 4:27 and applied it to the church. As God blessed Sarah and Abraham and the Jewish remnant with children, He would bless the church even though they were small at the time.

Jesus quoted Isaiah 54:13 in John 6:45 claiming that people will come to Him because they are "taught of God." and the Spirit draws them through the Word. (Read John 6:37-45 for the entire context.)

REFLECTION 

I am sitting here with an old Bible looking at notes that I have written in the margin of Isaiah 54 and can break into a shout of joy (54:1)! Let me explain. 

In 1982, I was a nanny in Santiago de Compostela, Spain. I had been there for three months, and it was a horrible time. I was depressed, oppressed, and discouraged. I had been put down and told I had "abandoned the Great Commission" (Matthew 28:18-20).  That was so hard because I had handed my life over to the Lord to use me in His Great Commission. I wanted to "make disciples" for the rest of my life, but I began to wonder if my life would ever amount to anything.  Would I ever see fruit from it?

On Christmas Day 1982, after some traumatic events, God gave me Isaiah 54 as a promise for my life even though I saw no light at the end of the tunnel.

On New Year's Day, not knowing how God had met me with this chapter, the mother of the kids I was caring for, gave me these same verses. I felt like this was such confirmation, and I have clung to these verses ever since.

(First of all, let me say that I know this chapter is about the restoration of Israel, and I am not Israel. Some would not use these verses as promises for themselves, but I believe that God does, at times, through the Holy Spirit, give us promises for our personal lives through the Old Testament, and this was one of those times.)

A few months later, God brought me back to these verses when I was in Seattle, involved in The Navigators at the University of Washington, and feeling pretty depressed and discouraged over "spiritual children."  I was still doubting that I would ever see fruit from my life in this area.

He also gave me a promise in my singleness that I was not really alone, and that He would be my Husband (54:5) and He would bear children through me. It gave me such purpose in my singleness. (I was single until I was 31 years old.)

I think I was trying to do this in the context of my current ministry, The Navigators, when a couple of months later, I was silent before the Lord, and He told me to go to Corvallis, OR, and this would be where He would begin to bear fruit through my life (or continue to as He had done a bit of that when I lived there in college). I moved there, and God immediately gave me women who were hungry to grow and know Him!

Over thirty years later, I can look back and see that God has blessed me and given me many spiritual "daughters" (I know that verse 13 says "sons") who have been taught of Him and allowed me to be part of the process of growth of many through spiritual direction, discipleship, and encouragement. 

In addition, eventually, God gave me an earthly husband and sons, and I have claimed 54:13 for my sons' lives as well. It was so fun last night to go through Discipleship Essentials with them and see the Lord teach them during our "Dinner, Dessert, and Discipleship" time as a family. They are still in process, and they are in the Lord's hands, but the Lord is giving them a good foundation for a lifetime of growth and well-being. 

As a couple, God has given us spiritual descendants who will possess nations (54:3) as we currently train men and women to go out into the unreached harvest fields of the world (Luke 10:2).  

God has truly blessed me since that desperate time in 1982!  

Many (not all) of these women have been women I have met with for discipleship and direction over the years: 

This year's kingdom community:

2023 Update: I returned to Santiago de Compostela 40 years later in October of 2022 to walk the last 71 miles of the Camino de Santiago with some of the people who have been in our training over the years. It was a healing time for me.

Buen Camino! October 2022 with Josh (Training 2013-14),
John (Training 2017-18), and Katherine (Training 2014-15, 17-18)

APPLICATION

God wants to use you in the lives of spiritual sons and daughters (as well as our earthly sons and daughters). Who will you invest in today? How will you invest?

Here are a few books to help you understand the importance of discipleship:

The Master Plan of Evangelism (a classic and a favorite)
Transforming Discipleship (research on what helps people grow)
Discipleship Essentials (a workbook by the author of Transforming Discipleship)

2023 Update: This is a newer book that would be a great discipling tool. I am coaching someone who is using it right now, and she loves it.

The Reservoir

2023 Update: After this picture from 2012, we had four more training groups, and now we are in a community with many who are still in town. One of them just wrote me on Mother's Day: 

"Happy happy Mother's Day Carol!! I hope you feel so celebrated today not only because you're an awesome mom to two boys but a spiritual mom to many. Thank you for your persistence, commitment, and love you share with so many!! Love you!"

I do more spiritual direction now (see my website at Body and Soul Companion), but I told a group of new directors just last Thursday that my direction will always be flavored with my discipleship bent. I think I would add other books to that list that help people change from the inside out rather than just "doing" discipleship. 

PRAYER

Lord, I pray for every person reading this blog to have at least one spiritual descendant. I also pray that the well-being of their sons and daughters would be great. I pray this in Jesus' name. Amen. 

Isaiah 52 & 53 - The Suffering Servant

LINK: Isaiah 52 & 53

BACKGROUND 

Jerusalem is called to "wake up" and put on glorious garments and sit enthroned. Gentiles would no longer thrash the holy city. Jerusalem was sold for free because of their sins (50:1), but they would be redeemed (the Hebrew word, gā’al, means "to purchase out of slavery") and pay nothing (see below for Who will pay). Then, He reviews the history of their slavery. 

After this, the Lord will return to Zion to reign. This will ultimately be fulfilled when the Messiah, Jesus, returns and reigns in peace. All the ends of the earth will see the salvation of our God!

Unlike their exodus from Egypt, the Israelites would not need to leave Babylon in haste because Cyrus, God's anointed (45:1), said they could return safely to Jerusalem (Ezra 1:1-4). God would protect them and point the way. 

The Scarlet Thread of Redemption

Parts of Isaiah 52:13-53:12 are quoted in the New Testament:

52:15   in Romans 15:21
53:1     in John 12:38 and Romans 10:16
53:4     in Matthew 8:17
53:7-8  in Acts 8:32-33
53:9     in 1 Peter 2:22
53:12   in Luke 22:37

It prophesies of a servant Messiah who would suffer and die for our transgressions.  He would be "disfigured, despised, stricken, afflicted, pierced through, crushed, oppressed, cut off, and numbered with the transgressors." This would pay the penalties for our transgressions and purchase our redemption. We would be "bought out of slavery," and the purchase price would cost us nothing but Him everything.  With this, we would have peace and healing. 

His death satisfied God's righteous demands for judgment against sin leading to salvation for everyone who believes!

WOOHOO!

REFLECTION/APPLICATION

It is such a paradox that the sad news of the suffering Servant is GOOD NEWS for sinning sheep!  

Pray through Isaiah 53:5-6 today and let it be your prayer of commitment if you do not already know this suffering Servant as your Savior!

These are also wonderful verses to memorize.

PRAYER through Isaiah 53:5-6

Be He was pierced through for our transgressions,

He was crushed for our iniquities;

The chastening for our well-being (peace) fell upon Him,

And by His scourging, we are healed.

(And in His wounding, we found our healing. The Passion Translation)

All of us like sheep have gone astray,

Each of us has turned to his own way;

But the Lord has caused the iniquity of us all

To fall on Him. 

Isaiah 51 - Bondage to Blessing

LINK: Isaiah 51

BACKGROUND 

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, 

for they shall be satisfied. 

(Matthew 5:6)

The Lord is telling the believing remnant of Israel to take courage because just as the founders of the nation, Abraham and Sarah, were called out and blessed, they would be blessed too.  

We learned in the first year of the Bible Book Club that, through Abraham, Israel would be blessed to be a blessing. Just as Abraham and Sarah had to believe God for a child (Genesis 15:6), this remnant must believe that God will establish His kingdom on earth and the land will be restored and His light of justice and righteousness will extend to all the peoples of the earth. The remnant of the faithful should not be discouraged because their enemies will perish like a garment that is eaten away by moths (51:8; 50:9). 

Isaiah 51:9-11 is the prayer of the remnant in Babylon to awaken God so that He might act on their behalf against its enemies and be delivered and return to Zion (Jerusalem) as they were delivered from "Rahab" (51:9), which is a mythical sea monster that represented Egypt (Exodus 14:21-31). Babylon wanted to make them captives. God wanted to set them free. 

The people suffered because of their sin, but God promised to free them and restore them to Jerusalem, and they need only fear Him.

REFLECTION/APPLICATION 

Do you want to be set free from your bondage? God wants you to be free too!

Several years ago, I led a large Bible Study and could tell that two women in the study were suffering from much bondage. I invited just the two of them to join me in a study called Breaking Free which is based on the book of Isaiah. 

Here is a pretty powerful testimony from the Amazon.com website:

I began this study as a deeply depressed and cynical chain-smoking alcoholic with a marijuana addiction that had been passed down in my family for generations. I completed the study free from drugs, alcohol, and tobacco and even more importantly, free from bitterness and shame. Jesus is completely satisfying, and Beth's passion for God is contagious.

Amazing!

2023 Update: It would be interesting to go back and do this study again. It was helpful at the time, but I have also learned so many things since then that have resulted in freedom. 

PRAYER

Lord, free us so that we might be a blessing to the nations! Amen. 

Isaiah 50 - Walking in the True Light

LINK: Isaiah 50 

BACKGROUND

The Lord was temporarily "divorcing" Zion because she had rejected Him without reason. Mosaic Law states that a husband can give his wife a divorce certificate that stated her faults. Then, she would have to leave the home (Deuteronomy 24:1). Israel was being sent away because she had sinned. God did not reject Israel, but Israel rejected God. Therefore, their exile would be like a son sold into indentured servitude because of the great debt they owed God.

The Servant is speaking in 50:4-9. It is the third "Servant Song"; the first two being in 42:1-7 and 49:1-7, and the fourth being in 52:12-53:12. (Link to all four HERE.) Isaiah 50:6 is a specific "snapshot of the Savior" describing Jesus more than seven centuries before His birth. There are several of these "snapshots" in the book of Isaiah (7:14; 9:2, 6-7; 11:1-2; 35:4-6; 40:10-11; 42:1-4, 6-7; 50:6; 52:13-53:12; 61:1-2).

Isaiah concludes by exhorting the Servant's followers to fear, obey, trust in, and rely on the Lord rather than walk in their own light (i.e. following their own schemes) that will only lead to eternal damnation. It is specifically targeted toward the Jewish remnant, but there are applications for all of God's followers today!

REFLECTION (written in 2009)

How many days do I get up and light my own fire and try to walk by that light rather than the Lord's light? I think it is far more often than I realize. Two days ago, I "freaked out" about something rather than relying on God. The pressure of people's expectations got the best of me. Late in the day, I realized that I needed to "trust in the name of the LORD and rely on [my] God" (50:10) rather than my own protective ways of dealing with the situation. Lo and behold, God worked it all out! I feel stupid about the way I handled it, and I wished I had walked in the Lord's light from the start, but that is the way of my flesh!

I believe we all follow our own devices far more often than we care to realize. I believe we all have a "default light" (coping mechanism[s]) that we constantly fall back on based on our past avoidance of pain. We do not like to walk in darkness (pain). Therefore, we find the path of least resistance to avoid that pain by lighting puny little matches of our own light. In the long run, it is not a good plan because those "matches" are very short and eventually burn our fingers! Also, we spend all our energy lighting those short stubs when God has a never-ending light for us in our dark places. Self-sufficiency is a big snare; but for most of us, it is hard to stop and listen to the Lord in the midst of it.

Yet, this chapter gives us a perfect example of the Servant (Jesus) who woke "morning by morning to listen as a disciple" (50:4). God opened His ears, and He was not disobedient. He was obedient even to the point of death! He did not avoid the pain or the shame.

And we are to follow in His footsteps.

APPLICATION

Do you wake "morning by morning to listen as a disciple" (like one being taught) to get your marching orders for the day or do you walk by the "light of your own fire" day in and day out? Are you tired of your fingers getting burned? Then follow the example of Jesus:

In the early morning, while it was still dark, 
Jesus got up, left the house, and went away to 
a secluded place, and was praying there.
(Mark 1:35)

Praying we all walk in the Lord's light today!

And remember the book, God Guides, is a tremendous encouragement to "listen and obey" God! 

PRAYER

Sovereign LORD, open our ears to listen like one being taught and help us to obey Your marching orders this day. We ask this in the name of the one who is our perfect example, Jesus. Amen.

Watch my video on following the example of Jesus and living in the "Cycle of Grace".

Isaiah 49 - Light, Liberty, and Love to All Nations

LINK: Isaiah 49

BACKGROUND

The next nine chapters (49-57) deal with the restoration that will come about by the suffering Servant. Isaiah 49-50 will deal with this Servant, rejected by His people, who will take salvation to the Gentiles.

The Servant addresses the nations that did not know Israel's God (Gentiles). He explains His threefold ministry of bringing:

1) Light in the Darkness (49:1-7) 

2) Liberty to the Captives (49:8-13) 

3) Love and Hope to the Discouraged (49:14-50:3)

It may be confusing, but the Messiah is called "Israel" in 49:3 because the Jewish nation had failed to be a light to the nations. Jesus accomplished the work that the chosen people had failed to do.

Many commentators believe this large return was not the small band that returned from the Babylonian Captivity and is Israel's return at the beginning of the Millennium.

The result of all of this will be that . . .

All flesh will know that I, the Lord, am your Savior
And your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob. 
(Isaiah 49:26)

And we all know who this is: JESUS!

REFLECTION

Only God's Servant could bring the Gentiles "near" (Ephesians 2:11-13). Christ was the fulfillment of God's promise that His grace, hope, and light would extend to the Gentiles (Romans 15:8-12). Unless you are of Jewish heritage, you are one of those who was "formerly far off" and has been "brought near" by the blood of Christ. Praise God for this!

Today, the church is God's light in the dark world (Acts 13:46-49; Matthew 5:14-16), but here is a fact that might startle you:

95% of all missions giving is going to the 60% of the world that has churches that are capable of reaching their own people. That leaves 5% of all missions resources going to the 40% of the world that is unreached with the Gospel. We're not saying that we need to give less to our churches or places where cross-cultural ministry is not necessary. We just need to be more strategic in our giving and sending more finances to church planting efforts among unreached people groups.

What is an Unreached People Group?

An unreached people group is an identifiable group of people distinguished by a distinct culture, language, or social class who lack a community of Christians able to evangelize the rest of the people group without outside help. The only opportunity for the people group to hear about salvation is through an external witness. (www.globalfrontiermissions.org)

Here is the bottom line: Of the 16,804 people groups in the world, only 5% of all missions funding is going to the 7,290 people groups (43%) who remain unreached.   Isn't that amazing?

APPLICATION

Meditate on Ephesians 2 and the wonderful truth that you have been "brought near" to God through Christ. Let it lead you into praise and thanksgiving to God.

If you want to understand more about the biblical basis behind reaching unreached people groups, see this excellent transcript of a sermon by John Piper at Desiring God (If you don't want to read the whole thing, read his conclusions). It is very thorough!

Do you pray and/or give toward reaching the unreached peoples of the world. Do you need to make some changes in your priorities in these areas?

Ask God if He might have you GO to an unreached people! Maybe a short-term would be a good place to start. Make sure it is an unreached people group though. Most short-term trips go to reached places. If you are interested, I would LOVE to talk to you about that!

PRAYER

Lord, we praise You as a God of light, liberty, and love to all the nations of the world. Show us what part You would have us play in Your plan for the nations. Help us to step into Your story (HIStory) in a way that would bring You glory and honor and praise from ALL peoples. We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.