Read Isaiah 42
Read Isaiah chapter 42- I am excited to do the Know, Be, Do in this chapter. It seems to have some incredible descriptions of God, and also explains His desires for His followers (at that time, the Israelites- but now- us)
KNOW (What does the text say about God?)
BE (What does the text say about us?)
DO (What is the text calling me/us to do?)
Take time today to think through those questions from this passage.
From these verses, what is encouraging to you today?
Read Isaiah 40
This week we are going to start into the second section of Isaiah- chapters 40-66. Chapter 39 ends with the Israelites being carried off to captivity in Babylon. Isaiah then begins a message of hope to the exiles and beyond. Interestingly much of what is written is from a future vantage point.
Listen to the Bible Project summary here:
As the people returned the exile ended, many had lost faith in God, believing that God had neglected them and allowed them to be captured. They still did not see that it was their own disobedience and rebellion that brought punishment from God.
They seem to be accusing God in 40:27 of being disregarded by God.
Again God explains who He is and what He has provided for them.
How does God answer their complaint?
How does God describe Himself throughout this chapter?
Of His characteristics, what are you most in need of today?
Merry Christmas!
Today, read your favorite version of the birth of Jesus story.
All of the promises we’ve read about in Isaiah are fulfilled in this birth.
Sit and reflect a bit in the quiet about what His birth, death, and resurrection has meant in your own life.
Listen again this morning to another rendition of O Come, O Come Emmanuel.
Reflect on all the characteristics you saw in the chapters from this week.
Sit quietly this morning. Try to just sit with the Lord without thought or agenda for several minutes- just enjoy His presence and know that He is enjoying you.
Ask the Holy Spirit to prepare you to hear from His word and His messenger this morning.
Ask the Holy Spirit to give you a soft and teachable heart.
Read Isaiah 28:1-19 and Isaiah 29:13-16
Again today we are going to look at the continued sin and rebellion of the Israelites, and hopefully relate it to our own lives.
On a separate piece of paper:
Stop, pray and ask the Holy Spirit to show you ways that:
Read Isaiah 27.
Today we are going to return to the vineyard. In chapter 5, we saw a beautiful vineyard that God had tended and sung over.
Remember, the Lord has loved, warned, sent the prophets to warn, and offered promises of hope.
On a separate piece of paper:
Read Isaiah 11.
Tradition says that two verses from our hymn spring from this chapter, verses 1-3 and verse 10:
O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free
Thine own from Satan’s tyranny
From depths of hell Thy people save
And give them victory o’er the grave
O come, Thou Wisdom from on high
And order all things, far and nigh
To us the path of knowledge show
And cause us in her ways to go
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to you, O Israel.
All over scripture, God tells us to ask for wisdom. In 11:2, we see that Jesus, the promised Messiah, will have the Spirit of Wisdom.
Spend some time praying right now. Pray on your knees if you are able. I find that posture matters a lot in my mindset as I pray. When I get down on my knees, I know immediately that I am in the humble, asking position. I need wisdom. I need guidance. I need help. And I’m seeking it from the Father, from the Spirit.
Cry out your need.