Short Reflection from Isaiah 24-39

[Originally posted in a WhatsApp group (LRAU) as a daily reading update (reflection) from each chapter of the Bible]

𝕀𝕤𝕒𝕚𝕒𝕙 𝟚𝟜:𝟙𝟞

"From the ends of the earth we hear songs, "Glory to the Righteous One," But I say, "Woe to me! Woe to me! Alas for me! The treacherous deal treacherously, And the treacherous deal very treacherously.""

Isaiah lived to glorify God, to rejoice in the Lord. And in this scene, he pictured the faithful glorifying God, but he refused to rejoice because he had a great burden for his people, the wayward stiff neck sinners.

That's a good picture of a godly Christian. He wants Jesus to come soon, at the same time to see sinners getting saved.

Paul wanted to die and be with Christ, at the same time to live for the church.

—Compassion for the lost souls—

 

𝕀𝕤𝕒𝕚𝕒𝕙 𝟚𝟝:𝟡

"And it will be said in that day, 'Behold, this is our God for whom we have 𝕨𝕒𝕚𝕥𝕖𝕕 that He might save us. This is the LORD for whom we have 𝕨𝕒𝕚𝕥𝕖𝕕; Let us rejoice and be glad in His salvation.'"

God shall not disappoint those who have waited on Him! Waiting on God involves holiness and righteousness.

 

𝕀𝕤𝕒𝕚𝕒𝕙 𝟚𝟞:𝟛

"The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, Because he trusts in You."

God's blessing of peace, yea, perfect peace is upon those who hold fast to God (those who trust God).

Over the years, I have been asked by people how I seem to enjoy life and have peace in my life. The answer is "trusting"—trusting God.

More trust more peace. Doubt brings anxiety!

 

𝕀𝕤𝕒𝕚𝕒𝕙 𝟚𝟟:𝟛

"I, the LORD, am its keeper; I water it every moment. So that no one will damage it, I guard it night and day."

What a picture of protection and prosperity! That's what God has for those who would put their hope in Him and not in man's strategies and alliances!

Some people think the Christian life is boring and gloomy. Well, that's totally different from what the Bible says!

 

𝕀𝕤𝕒𝕚𝕒𝕙 𝟚𝟠:𝟙𝟞

"Therefore thus says the Lord GOD, 'Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a tested stone, A costly cornerstone for the foundation, firmly placed. He who believes in it will not be disturbed.'"

Indeed, a prophecy concerning our Lord Jesus Christ. Predicted centuries ago. Jesus and the Apostles have referred to Christ as the cornerstone. He is a stone for some to stumble and be broken to pieces. He is a stone that fell down upon some and crushed them to powder. Also, He is a stone that protects some (those) who put their trust in Him.

 

𝕀𝕤𝕒𝕚𝕒𝕙 𝟚𝟡:𝟙𝟛

"Then the Lord said, ‘Because this people draw near with their words And honor Me with their lip service, But they remove their hearts far from Me, And their reverence for Me consists of tradition learned by rote,’"

May we never be indicted of this!

 

𝕀𝕤𝕒𝕚𝕒𝕙 𝟛𝟘:𝟙𝟝, 𝟙𝟠

"For thus the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel, has said, "In repentance and rest you will be saved, In quietness and trust is your strength." But you were not willing"

"Therefore the LORD longs to be gracious to you, And therefore He waits on high to have compassion on you. For the LORD is a God of justice; How blessed are all those who long for Him."

This is exactly true and exactly applicable to all generations including ours.

 

𝕀𝕤𝕒𝕚𝕒𝕙 𝟛𝟙:𝟙

"Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help And rely on horses, And trust in chariots because they are many And in horsemen because they are very strong, But they do not look to the Holy One of Israel, nor seek the LORD!"

How often does the Scripture remind us of our need to rely on God! The positive promise of prosperity for the obedient ones. And the negative proclamation of punishment for the disobedient ones.

 

𝕀𝕊𝔸𝕀𝔸ℍ 𝟛𝟚:𝟡

"Rise up, you women who are at ease, And hear my voice; Give ear to my word, You complacent daughters."

This chapter has an exhortation for women. Three times it is addressed to daughters (v9-11).

And it is said they are complacent. Complacency is a vice. Diligence is a virtue!

 

[6:28 pm, 02/02/2022] S.R: 𝕀𝕤𝕒𝕚𝕒𝕙 𝟛𝟛:𝟚𝟚

"For the LORD is our judge, The LORD is our lawgiver, The LORD is our king; He will save us--"

Well, the guilty ones don't want the judge. The lawbreakers don't want the law-giver. The rebellious people don't want a king.

Yet, this passage talks of God in a positive and personal way. That God will be for their good. We all are guilty ones, lawbreakers, and rebellious people. How do we make sense of this? Well! Watch the movie Chronicles of Narnia😂

In that movie, when the witch queen asked for the blood (death) of Edmund referring to the ancient Law, Aslan roared her to silence saying, He was there when the Law was written.

Indeed, Jesus, the Law-giver has the way of saving us by laying down His life as Aslan did for Edmund.

 

𝕀𝕤𝕒𝕚𝕒𝕙 𝟛𝟜:𝟙

“Draw near, O nations, to hear; and listen, O peoples! Let the earth and all it contains hear, and the world and all that springs from it.”

The warning of God is for all people of all nations! It must be proclaimed with utmost priority. Everyone is commanded to hear! Actually, everyone must make an effort ("draw near") to hear. Even the plants and animals, rocks, hills, and water, should hear.

Also, the Gospel call is also for everyone. Indeed, our Lord Jesus asked, "What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his own soul?"

C.T. Stud was right, "Only one life 'twill soon be passed; only what's done for Christ will last!"

 

𝕀𝕤𝕒𝕚𝕒𝕙 𝟛𝟝:𝟛-𝟜

"Encourage the exhausted, and strengthen the feeble. Say to those with anxious heart, ‘Take courage, fear not. Behold, your God will come with vengeance; The recompense of God will come, But He will save you.’"

It's easier to mock the weak, abuse the feeble, and threaten the anxious. I have seen every day of my life, in history, fiction, movies, literature, and real life. I have seen even in my tongue! Oh! To heed the word of God!

 

𝕀𝕤𝕒𝕚𝕒𝕙 𝟛𝟞:𝟚𝟙

"But they were silent and answered him not a word; for the king's commandment was, "Do not answer him.""

Indeed, there are times when it's good to keep silent, especially when there's a God in heaven and his servant Isaiah on earth!

 

𝕀𝕤𝕒𝕚𝕒𝕙 𝟛𝟟:𝟟

"Behold, I will put a spirit in him so that he will hear a rumor and return to his own land. And I will make him fall by the sword in his own land."

God can and did and may use rumours for the downfall of some!

 

𝕀𝕤𝕒𝕚𝕒𝕙 𝟛𝟠:𝟝

"Go and say to Hezekiah, 'Thus says the LORD, the God of your father David, 'I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears; behold, I will add fifteen years to your life.'"

The Bible reveals to us that God listens to prayer and God warrants us to pray like crazy. Even Hezekiah's episode confirmed it.

However, it seems better for Hezekiah to die at that time than 15 years later. Because many bad things happened that he wasn't able to handle himself and he wasn't depending on God wholly.

 

𝕀𝕤𝕒𝕚𝕒𝕙 𝟛𝟡:𝟚

"Hezekiah was pleased, and showed them all his treasure house, the silver and the gold and the spices and the precious oil and his whole armory and all that was found in his treasuries. There was nothing in his house nor in all his dominion that Hezekiah did not show them."

A word to those who show off!