Isaiah 1 — The Wickedness of Judah
Isaiah 2 — The Mountain and Day of the Lord
Thoughts about serving others
This link includes a list of posts about Serving the Least, the Lost, and the Lonely.
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Let the Word evoke words. May your life encourage lives.
There are many thoughts that come to mind when reading even just the first two chapters of Isaiah. These are just a few thoughts that resonate with me at this time.
There is some comfort here, as an mere mortal dad who is trying to guide his children: “I reared children and brought them up, but they have rebelled against me” (Isaiah 1:2). I’m in no way trying to compare myself to God, but it is encouraging (in a twisted way) to hear that God’s own children would be disobedient, even after seeing his goodness, grace and mercy.
It’s really wonderful to read Isaiah’s encouraging words at the beginning of his prolific writing, “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. If…” (1:18-19). Yes, there are many well deserved words of rebuke, but how refreshing is it to hear that our sins will be cleansed…refreshing as long as we heed the rest of v19, “If you are willing and obedient…” That’s the hard part, isn’t it? We tend to focus on the “white as snow” and less on the “willing and obedient” words.
Instead, we live in our own world, as if we were all “self-made men” as the bookstore labels entice us to believe. As we chase our dreams, our plans, and climb the ladders of success and fortune, we lavish ourselves in great wealth and proclaim somehow that we earned our riches. “…there is no end to their treasures…they bow down to the work of their hands…” (2:7-8). Do we really see the poor? Do we truly understand how wealthy we are?
This is a great warning: “The Lord Almighty has a day in store for all the proud and lofty, for all that is exalted (and they will be humbled)” (2:12) and “The arrogance of man will be brought low and human pride humbled; the Lord alone will be exalted in that day, and the idols will totally disappear” (2:17-18).
Lord help me to be willing and obedient. Help me to hear these words of warning and turn from my selfish desires. Help me to see the poor and fatherless, to reach out and help those in need. At the risk of inviting you to do that which you promise, please make me humble! However, in so doing, mold me into the creation you want for your kingdom here on earth. While I have breath in my nostrils, may I keep “breathing in your grace and breathing out your praise” (Matt Redman’s song, “Your Grace Finds Me”). Google that song and let it bless you this morning!