Well do I know how treacherous you are; you were called a rebel from birth. For my own name’s sake I delay my wrath; for the sake of my praise I hold it back from you, so as not to destroy you completely. See, I have refined you, though not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction. For my own sake, for my own sake, I do this. How can I let myself be defamed? I will not yield my glory to another. Isaiah 48:8-11
Day 195 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith)
continues with my study of Isaiah. Today the focus of Isaiah's message from God includes how the Egyptians, idolaters, and Babylon will know God and the futility of idols compared to the omnipotence and omniscience of God. God also prophecies through Isaiah how Babylon will fall through God's chosen ally (King Cyrus of Persia).
In today's scripture, we also have this nugget of God's love and grace for us - Isaiah 48:8-11. While Isaiah's message is intended for Israel, God preserves it in the Bible for all believers to understand God and His love for us. John Piper breaks it down for us that (1) God is SO committed and full of zeal for His name and glory, that (2) He cannot deny Himself praise and glory, and that (3) He remains committed to those who trust in Him as He vindicates Himself and His Name by sending His Son Jesus Christ to the cross so that we could be forgiven and saved from sin and death through salvation - Piper urges to look ahead to Isaiah's message on the coming Messiah in chapters 53-54 - God's anger is held back for a time and poured out on Jesus FOR US!
Piper also points us to Romans 3:
God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to
be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness,
because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand
unpunished—he
did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to
be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus. Romans 3:25-26
My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who sent His own Son Jesus Christ to die...for me! The greatest gift of all time! Thank You Jesus! I am not deserving of such love. I worry, am harsh with my words, etc. Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind. Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength. Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior. Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.
