Isaiah 54
👉 Bible study tip: sometimes you need to work backwards.
I read the chapter. Didn’t really note or highlight anything. Then I got to the last verse.
“This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord.”
That’s important. So, I began reading backwards to see what I had missed about this heritage that is mine.
THE HERITAGE OF THE SERVANTS OF THE LORD
• the steadfast love of the Lord (v 10)
• his covenant of peace (v 10)
• the compassion of the Lord (v 10)
• a glorious future (v 11-12)
• children taught by the Lord (v 13)
• great peace for God’s children (v 13)
• established in righteousness (v 14)
• far from oppression and fear (v 14)
• no weapon shall succeed against you (v 17)
All of these promises are found in one quotation from the Lord in verses 11-17.
So, if we use today’s tip and work backward – this is what we discover.
- There are good things coming for God’s people (v 17).
- These are all of the good things (v 12-16).
- God’s people are not there yet (v 11).
Do you see who is receiving these promises?
O afflicted one…
Storm-tossed…
Not comforted.
What we currently experience doesn’t compare to what is awaiting us, friends.
So, what are we to do if we find ourselves afflicted, storm-tossed, and not comforted?
Let’s keep working backwards all the way to verse 1-3.
Speaking to the “barren” and “desolate” one, the Lord said to live with:
• expectation (v 1) – sing because though they are currently barren, good things are coming
• preparation (v 2) – enlarge the place, make room for the blessings that are coming
Whatever your today looks like – even if it’s storm-tossed and afflicted or barren and desolate – live with EXPECTATION and PREPARATION because the Lord has promised a beautiful heritage to those who belong to Him.
