Isaiah 10:5-34
The faithful would be few:
• the remnant (v 20)
• a remnant (v 21)
• only a remnant (v 22)
The faithful would be free:
• waters parted (v 26)
• burdens lifted (v 27)
• yokes broken (v 27)
Lord, give me the strength of spirit and devotion so that I may be one of the faithful few.
And you, fellow faithful one, freedom is coming.
You are loved.
Lord, sometimes we need a reminder of who you are – of all that you are.
When our words and works seem to fall short. When our efforts don’t have the effects we anticipated. When nothing we offer seems like enough. Remind us – that it was never about us in the first place. It was always about you.
🌸 Psalm 146 🌸
Lord, you are…
• powerful (v 6)
• faithful (v 6)
• just (v 7)
• provider (v 7)
• deliverer (v 8 )
• healer of body (v 8 )
• healer of spirit (v 8 )
• protector (v 9)
• sustainer (v 9)
• eternal ruler (v 10)
Isaiah 9:8-10:4
There were a lot of wrong things going on among God’s people.
THE PROBLEM
• pride and arrogance (v 9)
• did not turn to the Lord (v 13)
• the leaders were leading the people astray (v 16)
• everyone was godless, doing evil, and speaking disgraceful things (v 17)
• the needy were denied justice and orphans/widows were taken advantage of (v 10:2)
What we see is that arrogance and oppression was everywhere.
The Lord was angry and judgement came in a mighty way.
THE RESULT
• the Lord stirs up enemies (v 11)
• the Lord’s hand is against them (v 12, 17, 21, 10:4)
• sudden judgement (v 14)
• the land is destroyed (v 19)
• the people turn on each other (v 19)
• the people are hungry and unsatisfied (v 20)
• punishment and ruin (v 10:3)
• no refuge (v 10:3)
• imprisonment and death (v 10:4)
Lord, give us eyes that see arrogance and oppression in ourselves and the world around us. May we be quick to repent and turn to you.
Isaiah 9:1-7
Our previous section ended with:
• distress
• darkness
• gloom
• anguish
Today’s reading, however, begins with one of my favorite words in Scripture…
👉 But
And, as I like to say, there are no small buts in Scripture. {Do not try to hashtag that, by the way, or things will go horribly astray.}
Just look what is going to happen when Jesus enters the scene.
gloom ➡️ glory (v 1)
darkness ➡️ light (v 2)
anguish ➡️ joy (v 3)
oppression ➡️ freedom (v 4)
They couldn’t see it right then – with the darkness and the gloom and the anguish. But it was a whispered promise of the glory to come.
If you find yourself in a time of distress, darkness, gloom, and anguish – listen to the Lord’s whisper of promise.
Glory is coming.
Light is coming.
Joy is coming.
Freedom is coming.
Your Savior is:
• ruler
• wise
• wonderful
• mighty
• father
• peace
• eternal
• just
• righteous
You are so loved.
Isaiah 8:11-22
I love the warning God gave to Isaiah concerning the faithless people around him.
• do not walk in their ways
• do not call conspiracy what they call conspiracy
• do not fear what they fear
In other words, live differently. Think differently. Believe differently.
We can’t be set apart and look the same.
What is the world calling you to fear today? The Lord says, “Don’t fear that.”
How would that change how you lived on this Monday morning?
