Reflection on Isaiah 55

Scripture

“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.”

Observation

If you are thirsty, come to the Lord. He has the finest drinks all at no cost. Why waste money on things that do not satisfy?

Come to the Lord with your ears wide open. He has the words of life.

His thoughts are nothing like our thoughts, and His ways are far above our ways.

Rain and snow fall from the heavens watering the ground and making the crops grow. God’s word is the same. He sends it out, and it always bears fruit. It will accomplish all that He wants it to do.

The Lord will give us joy and peace. The mountains and hills will burst into song.

Application

It is folly to think that we can work God out. His ways are much higher than our ways. When we think we have God all figured out, He throws us a curve-ball, and our plans fall apart.

This is not to decry theology. We must endeavour to understand God so that we can be faithful to Him. But we must never think that we can predict what He will do.

The Jewish people had the Messiah worked out. He was going to set Israel as a great nation, kicking out the pagan Romans. They saw the Messiah as a freedom fighter.

God’s plan was different. Jesus fought for our freedom by killing sin on the cross. He made Israel great by providing a new Israel called the church. God’s promises were fulfilled, but not in a way that people expected.

God’s ways are infinitely better than our ways.

Prayer

Lord, I thank you that you have things worked out far better than I ever could. Help me to walk in your ways even when I don’t understand them. Amen.

Reflection on Isaiah 54

Scripture

“In that day, no weapon turned against you will succeed. You will silence every voice raised up to accuse you.”

Observation

Rejoice, childless woman, for the Lord is giving you children beyond number. Jerusalem will have to enlarge her house because she will be bursting at the seams.

You will not live in disgrace or abandonment, for the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will be your husband. Even if the mountains move and the hills disappear, His constant love will remain.

The Lord created the blacksmith who makes the weapons of destruction and the armies that destroy. But in that day, no weapon will succeed against you and every accusing voice will be silenced.

Application

Christians often face many enemies and accusers. The Lord promises that their weapons and accusations will fall short. It I not clear in this chapter whether the promises are for Israel and Jerusalem. But then, in the very last verse, the Lord says, “these benefits are enjoyed by the servants of the Lord.”

Lately some members of my church have faced some frustrations and difficulties caused by witchcraft of various forms, all emanating from one individual. We have had to persevere in prayer, but we know that God’s promise is “no weapon turned against you will succeed.”

People make accusations against christians on social media and in other places. but we can rest assured that God will silence every voice raised up to accuse us.

When we face opposition, we should remember that we are not fighting against flesh and blood, but against forces in the spirit realm. We take it all to the Lord and trust Him to vindicate us and bring victory.

Prayer

Hallelujah! Lord the victory is yours. Please help me to rest in you when the enemies arise. Amen.

Reflection on Isaiah 53

Scripture

He was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed.

Observation

The Lord’s servant grew up like a tender green shoot. There was nothing remarkable about Him. He was despised and rejected by the people he came to save.

He bore our weaknesses and our sins. We thought His suffering was punishment from God. But He was pierced for our sins, and his beatings bring us healing.

He was led like a lamb to the slaughter. His life was an offering for sin, and those whom He has redeemed will be counted as His sons and daughters.

Despite being rejected and despised, He will be honoured in His death.

Application

This is another of the suffering servant songs in which Isaiah looks forward to the life and death of the Messiah, Jesus.

Jesus was crucified,dying a horrible death, for the sake of our sins. He bore the penalty of the whole earth on his body.

Because Jesus died, I can now experience the true freedom of forgiveness. I am a new creation in Christ. Not only does He wipe away the guilt of sin, He removes the bondage of sin, the ability of sin to hold us in captivity.

Christ’s beatings, Isaiah tells us, are the means of physical healing. Salvation is not just about spiritual wholeness. it extends to every part of our being, including the physical. Just as Christ’s death makes us whole in our spirits, He also provides for healing for our bodies.

Prayer

Thank you, Lord, for this wonderful salvation in which you are restoring every part of my life. Amen.

Reflection on Isaiah 52

Scripture

But I will reveal my name to my people, and they will come to know its power. Then at last they will recognise that I am the one who speaks to them.

Observation

It is time for Jerusalem to remove the chains of slavery from her neck. She is to rise from the dust to the place of honour.

The Lord sold the people into exile with with no price, and now He will redeem them at no cost.

The Lord’s people live in foreign lands where His name is blasphemed all day long. But He will reveal his name to His people. Then they will recognise that He is the one who speaks to them.

Now it is time to leave captivity. They will not leave in a hurry, fleeing From disaster. They will have time to purify themselves, because the Lord is going ahead of them.

Application

The Lord wants us to know His name, His power, and His voice.

When we know the name of the Lord, we recognise who He is. There are seven Covenant names in the Old Testament which speak of His nature. In the New Testament we have the greatest name of all – Jesus our saviour.

When we draw near to God through Christ, we start to see a glimpse of His power. He has given all authority to us. We have His power and His authority, exercised in prayer and led by the Holy Spirit. The gifts and fruit of the Spirit give us the grace to be like Jesus in power and in character.

Jesus tells us “My sheep know my voice.” We must dedicate ourselves to listening to the voice of the Lord. This is not easy in a culture that is so noisy and insistent. We need to tune out the distractions so we can tune into the voice of the Lord.

Prayer

Lord, please teach me so that I can know your name, your power, and your voice. Amen.

Reflection on Isaiah 51

Scripture

Those who have been ransomed by the Lord will return. They will enter Jerusalem with singing, crowned with everlasting joy. Sorrow and mourning will disappear, and they will be filled with joy and gladness.

Observation

Those seeking the deliverance of the Lord need to return to the rock from which they were cut. Abraham and Sarah were role models for Israel.

God’s law, mercy, and justice will be a light to all the nations. Even distant lands are waiting in hope for the Lord’s intervention.

People are like flies, and the sky will disappear, but God’s salvation lasts for ever.

The Lord’s redeemed will return to Jerusalem with singing and joy. Sorrow and morning will disappear.

The captives will be released. Those who have drunk the cup of the Lord’s fury will have that cup removed, and it will be handed to their tormentors.

Application

We are the ransomed of the Lord. He has bought our salvation through the death of Jesus on the cross. We are redeemed and set free from the power of sin.

Satan has lost his authority over us. It has been snatched away. Yet he tries to control us with his lies and deception.

Those who know the Lord know joy. The mark of the true believer is joy. Unlike happiness, which depends on external events, joy bubbles up from our hearts because of our peace with God.

We can sing in times of victory and in times of suffering. Jesus is the joy giver.

In this life we still have sorrow and mourning. But they no longer define who we are. In the midst of it all, joy remains dominant. In the end, we will be one with Christ forever. Sorrow and mourning will be no more.

Prayer

Lord, thank you for the knowledge of your presence right now. Thank you for the hope that I have in you that sorrow and mourning will be gone forever. Amen

Reflection on Isaiah 50

Scripture

Because the Sovereign Lord helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore, I have set my face like stone, determined to do his will. And I know that I will not be put to shame.

Observation

The Lord has given his servant words of wisdom. Day by day, He opens his understanding.

The Lord has spoken to him, and he will do the Lord’s will. He sets his face like flint to do the Lord’s will

Who fears the lord and obeys his servant? Anyone who walks in darkness should trust the Lord. Those who walk by their own light will fall down in torment.

Application

Again Isaiah returns to the message about the Suffering Servant, whom we know is Jesus.

Jesus foresaw the suffering and shame that awaited him on the cross. Yet He trusted the Father to bring Him through.

Jesus knew the price had to be paid in order to bring salvation to everybody who trusts in Him.

The reward was worth the suffering.

Sometimes the Lord asks us to go through difficult times. Like Job, we may see no reason or reward for the tough times. We have to trust that God knows what He is doing. We rely on His strength to see us through.

We would not choose the way of suffering, but God uses these times to deepen our trust in Him.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank you for choosing the way of suffering and shame, for dying on the cross for me. Amen.

Reflection on Isaiah 49

Scripture

The Lord, the Redeemer and Holy One of Israel, says to the one who is despised and rejected by the nations, to the one who is servant of rulers: “Kings will stand at attention when you pass by. Princes will also bow low because of the Lord, the faithful one, the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen you.”

Observation

The Lord called the servant before he was born and made his words of judgement as sharp as a sword.

The Lord has commissioned him to bring Israel back to Himself, but more than this, he will be a light to the Gentiles and bring salvation to the ends of the earth. The one who is despised and rejected will be honoured by kings and princes.

The Lord will set free the captives and they will be His sheep.

Although Jerusalem feels forgotten by the Lord, He can no more forget them than a mother can forget her child. He has written its name on the palms of His hands.

All the world will know that the Lord is Saviour and Redeemer, the Mighty One of Israel.

Application

This chapter is at one of the Suffering Servant Songs that are unique to Isaiah, and which we can now see describe the Messiah, Jesus our Lord and Redeemer.

Jesus was rejected by the religious leaders of His day. He was despised and eventually crucified. They thought that death was the end of Him. Then He rose again!

Over the centuries, more and more people have come under the reign of King Jesus. He is the King of kings and the Lord of lords. Kings, princes, presidents, and prime ministers bow before Him. They acknowledge that He is the true ruler of all nations and all people.

In many countries there are various attempts to control and muzzle the church. but no earthly ruler will ever control King Jesus.

Prayer

Jesus, you are the one who was rejected and despised. Now you are the King of all creation. Blessed is the name of is the name of the Lord. Amen.

Reflection on Isaiah 48

Scripture

Now I will tell you new things, secrets you have not yet heard. They are brand new, not things from the past. So you cannot say, “We knew that all the time!”

Observation

The Lord revealed a long time ago what was to happen, and all of His predictions came true. This way they could not claim that their idols had made it happen.

The Lord says he is going to tell his people new things, things they have never seen or heard before. The Lord will rescue His people for the sake of His reputation.

The Lord is raising up Cyrus of Persia to destroy the Babylonians. The Lord’s people are to leave Babylon and return to Israel.

Application

The Lord is always bringing fresh revelations to His people. This is not knowledge that contradicts the Bible nor information that goes against God’s nature.

In both the Old and New Testaments, there is a thread of teaching in which the Spirit of God, the Lord Himself, is our teacher. We don’t need prophets or pastors to teach us the truth about God because we have the Holy Spirit Himself.

After my wife became a christian, she became aware of truths about tithing and the baptism in the Holy Spirit, even though these things were not taught in the church she attended. She knew these things were true, and scripture confirmed what the Spirit had revealed to her.

There have been many times when the Holy Spirit has revealed to me truth about other people, directions for the church, and so on. Revelations often come as a whisper in my head, rather than a booming voice from heaven. They are real nonetheless

Prayer

Holy Spirit, thank you for the revelations you bring to your people. Please help me to listen carefully for your voice. Amen.

Reflection on Isaiah 47

Scripture

Our redeemer, whose name is the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, is the Holy One of Israel.

Observation

The daughter of Babylon, the princess, is a princess no more. She is reduced to manual labour, naked and exposed

Babylon will never again be known as the queen of nations. The Lord is the Redeemer of Israel, and He will set them free.

Babylon’s wisdom and knowledge have led her astray. Now calamity will fall. All of her magical charms and all of the astrologers are worthless to rescue Babylon.

Application

The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is the one who rescues us.

Often we feel overwhelmed by things that have we have no control over, forces that seem too big for us to withstand.

The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is with us. God is greater, more powerful, and more faithful than we can imagine.

It was God who rescued His people Israel from the strongest and most powerful forces in the world – first Egypt and then Babylon.

It was God’s purpose to allow Israel to be taken into captivity. He wanted to teach them to be faithful to Him. When the time that He established was finished, He let them go. Babylon was destroyed, and Israel was released.

Nothing in this world is too strong to stand against God’s power.

Prayer

Lord of Heavens Armies, I am so glad to be your child. Thank you for adopting me into your family. Thank you that you do the fighting for me. Amen.

Reflection on Isaiah 46

Scripture

Bel and Nebo, the gods of Babylon, bow as they are lowered to the ground. They are being hauled away on ox carts. The poor beasts stagger under the weight.

Observation

Idols of the Babylonian gods Bel and Nebo are taken away on ox carts. They cannot save their people and their people cannot save them.

In the other hand, the Lord has cared for the people of Israel since they were born. The Lord is nothing like some idol made from gold that cannot move or answer prayer.

The Lord alone is God. He controls the future because everything He plans comes to pass. He is about to set things right to to restore Jerusalem and save Israel.

Application

Idolatry is a pointless exercise, but many people engage in it. Idols cannot move or pray. They cannot protect themselves from the hands of people, much less protect their worshippers.

The Lord alone is God. He tells us not to make physical representations of Him because He is far greater than that.

The Lord answers prayers. He looks after the people who put their trust in Him.

To bow down and worship other gods is foolish. Anyone can approach the Lord and seek Him. Unlike the idols, He is real and He desires relationship with us.

Prayer

Thank you Lord for your great love. Please keep me free from the temptation to worship idols and to trust in false gods. men.