All throughout Isaiah there are verses about the coming Messiah that have inspired many songs. During the next four weeks together in this devotional, we are going to listen to several renditions of the song
‘O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.’ Many of the lyrics come directly from chapters that we will read.
Despite all the sins of the Israelites that were going to result in captivity, He offered them hope. Their longing for Messiah is reflected poignantly throughout this song.
Take a listen:
Humbly ask for the Spirit’s help to grow through the word.
Look back over the reading from this week.
Why was there mourning in Israel?
Why was God mourning yet also executing judgement?
Where is there mourning in your life right now?
What does it look like to lament and grieve the people or situations that you listed above?
Spend some time crying out to the Lord for the pain that is there in your heart. Allow the Holy Spirit to be your comforter.
Read Isaiah 4:2-6
Stop and pray for wisdom from the Spirit.
In light of chapter 3, what emotions come up in you as you read this short section?
Despite the Lord’s just anger, what does this say about how the Lord really feels about His people?
He promises that His glory will be like a canopy creating a refuge and hiding place for His people. Sit for a while picturing yourself under this shade, experiencing His hiding place, experiencing His refuge.
If you are a visual person- draw the images that have come through your mind as you have sat quietly.
Read Isaiah 3:1-4:1
Ask the Holy Spirit to teach you today. These are challenging words.
Explain the situation facing the people of Judah and Jerusalem.
In verse 12, Isaiah tells them that their guides have led them astray. This is a theme in both Isaiah and Jeremiah.
Who is your “guide”?
How can you ensure that you have a guide who is leading you towards the Lord and not a “blind guide” that Jesus condemns in Matthew chapter 15?
Read Isaiah 2
Ask the Holy Spirit to speak to you through these words.
Two verses really stood out to me- verse 6 and verse 22.
Where have you felt abandoned in your life- perhaps in the past or in this present season?
In what ways can you see that you have abandoned the Lord?
In what areas of your life are you “trusting in humans” instead of trusting in the Lord?
What do you hear the Holy Spirit saying to you today?
Read Isaiah 1
Ask the Holy Spirit to speak to you through His word.
(Remember to check out the commentary listed previously if parts are confusing.)
Why is God angry from what you read in this chapter? (List out His grievances.)
Phrases like “I will turn my hand against you (vs. 25), “you will be ashamed because… (vs. 29), and “woe to the sinful nation…they have forsaken the Lord (vs. 4), show a depth of emotion from God that can make us uncomfortable.
How do you feel reading this chapter? What is it stirring up in you?
Spend some time talking to the Lord about how you are feeling.
Our sermon series this month is entitled “God Who Comes to Us”. We will, in our devotional time, work through excerpts from the book of Isaiah.
Watch this video from the Bible Project:
It covers chapters 1-39 with an awesome overview!
We will watch the overview of the end of Isaiah later, but the first few weeks we will be in this beginning section.
Basically, Isaiah is sent by God to warn the people of impending judgement, first by the nation of Assyria, and then by the Babylonians. The chapters cycle back and forth between warning, explanation of their sins, the coming judgement, and the hope of a promised Messiah.
As we work through Isaiah this month, there may be verses and chapters that are just downright confusing. Bible Gateway has a great commentary to help with those. The link is: