Isaiah 61 – The Lord’s Favor
Isaiah 62:1–63:6 – Zion’s Restoration And Glory
Isaiah 63:7–64:12 – Prayer For Divine Deliverance
Isaiah 65 – The Lord’s Answer: Mercy And Judgment
Isaiah 66 – Judgment For False Worshipers And Blessing For True Worshipers
Thoughts about serving others
This link includes a list of posts about Serving the Least, the Lost, and the Lonely.
My prayer is for you to join me on this journey. Subscribe to this blog below to get an email when a new post is available.
Let the Word evoke words. May your life encourage lives.
This last section of Isaiah provides much encouragement for those who choose for follow the Lord. Isaiah begins by declaring, “the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor” (Isaiah 61:1). We should reach out to the poor, the brokenhearted, the captives, the rich, the lost, the lonely, even the high and mighty. Once again this morning I saw a Facebook post with the central theme, believe in yourself and all things are possible, along with a compelling video that showed one man’s journey. Lord I declare it is only you who can save, only you who can redeem. It seems we hold out “hands to an obstinate people, who walk in ways not good, pursuing their own imaginations” (65:2) for their temporal pleasures and superficial success. We must be compassionate for they don’t know that they are provoking the Lord, they are ignorant, “offering sacrifices in gardens” (65:3) while listening to the cheers of those around them. Lord help us to reach those and reveal their ways. I really believe if they could see themselves in your light they would change, it’s just hard for them to accept. Your words about hardening of hearts is so true and the toughest challenge we face. Help us Lord. One step at a time, closer to you, let us lead the lost.
Beulah Land. I’ve referred to this song by the Gaither Band before, so I’ll skip the reference this time, but it is so encouraging to know that one day God will restore his people and his city, there will be a day when we hear the words, “you will be a crown of splendor in the Lord’s hand, a royal diadem in the hand of your God…and your land Beulah” (62:3,4). Beulah means married, one day we will be married to you in the holiest of ways, now that’s a wedding to proclaim!
The story goes back and forth, “they rebelled and grieved his Holy Spirit…then his people recalled the days of old…” (63:10,11), we are familiar with this style of preaching, contrasting good and bad, right and wrong. Don’t let familiarity breed complacency, this is a new song of hope, “since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you” (64:4).
Praise the Lord! There will be a day “before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear” (65:24), a day when peace prevails and we worship in harmony.