“It is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to bring back the preserved of Israel; I will make you as a light for the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.”

Isaiah 47-50

“It is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to bring back the preserved of Israel; I will make you as a light for the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.” Isaiah 49:6

I continued my deep dive of Isaiah, based on the Precept Upon Precept study series - today moving on to Lesson 18 day 3, which focuses on Isaiah 49. My commentary offers the following divisions for this chapter:

1. Christ unveiled as God's Salvation to the ends of the earth (v1-7)
2. God's day of salvation for the exiles (v8-13)
3. Despite all appearances, the exiles will return (v14-21)
4. The Gentiles will aid the redemption of Israel or be destroyed (v22-26)

For today, my focus is on the first two divisions.  It is difficult to not see how this chapter is not about Jesus because in v6 God says that He will "make you as a light for the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth."  Only Jesus does this.  The commentary describes the verses here - in their broader context - as "an immeasurably deep conversation between the Father and the Son concerning Jesus’s glorious mission on earth. Here God the Father tells the Son that it is insufficient glory for him to be merely the Savior of the Jews." God will not only free the exiles in Babylonia, but all those who are imprisoned in sin - the whole of humanity.  V9-10 states that God will give Jesus to the world, 

"...saying to the prisoners, ‘Come out,’ to those who are in darkness, ‘Appear.’ They shall feed along the ways; on all bare heights shall be their pasture; they shall not hunger or thirst, neither scorching wind nor sun shall strike them, for he who has pity on them will lead them, and by springs of water will guide them." Isaiah 49:9-10

We must take time to acknowledge how - with God - we will never hunger or thirst, we will have Him as our refuge, and He will guide us.  We must live boldly considering how God will lead us.

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who will never leave or forsake me, You provide for all of my needs, You are my refuge, and You guide me - thank You Jesus for these blessings and for my faith and salvation.  I am not deserving of such blessings.  My sin is great and it is daily.  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 and love others as You love me.  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. 

I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.

Isaiah 48

I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go. v17

As God continues to admonish Israel for its wicked ways, He continues to provide hope and encouragement - this is how perfect God - His love is present in all that He does for His children.   Today's verse serves as a great reminder for how we need not look elsewhere for our guidance and direction.

The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand. Psalm 37:23-24

 

Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. Psalm 119:105

 

Just as God led the Israelites out of Egypt by fire and by cloud, He continues to direct our ways - as long as we submit to Him (Romans 12:2).

 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who gives me all I need to know my way.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love and blessing.  I worry.  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 and love others as You do.  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.

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

Psalm 73

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. v26

Indeed!  God is our all in all.

Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory.  Whom have I in heaven but you?  And earth has nothing I desire besides you. v23-25

We know that apart from God we can do no good thing (Psalm 16).  This morning God appears to me as someone who cares deeply for me.  He holds me by my right hand.  He guides me and takes me to special places...what a God we have!  God is my all in all.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, indeed You are my all in all and I know that I can do no good thing apart from You.  I need You in my life and I love it when You lead me into special places.  You have led me into time with You this morning and someday You will take me home and that will be a glorious day.  Until then I must live in my earthly broken body and I need You desperately to stay near me so I can feel Your strength.  Thank You for all that You are and all that You have done.  I am not worth the love of such a God....I am broken and I worry.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome such sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Give me strength. Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure Lisa of her cancer and the side effects from chemo.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin...and serve You.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message today and every day.

For this God is our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide even to the end.

Psalm 48

For this God is our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide even to the end. v14

As I posted Friday, being still allows us to more fully be aware of God's greatness and all of His wonderful attributes. When we are still we are also able to step back and have some perspective...while we may be under attack in our day-to-day life, we can find refuge and stillness in Him and our cares and concerns can be laid at His feet.

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. Matthew 11:29-30

When we are able to take refuge with God daily He promises blessing.

Blessed are those who listen to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway. Proverbs 8:34

His blessings are innumerable...including that He is our guide..."even to the end".

My Prayer: Jesus, what an awesome God You are that we can come to You with our burdens, concerns and worries...that You will help us carry them or carry them entirely.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such blessings because my worry persists.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me turn from such sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure Lisa of her cancer and the side effects from chemo and radiation.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach, and Dustin...and serve You.  Help us make progress with Dustin's potty training!  You are able!  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand.

Psalm 37

The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand. v23-4

While not explicit, my read of these verses is that with God is our guide, our direction is true and sure that He will always place us on firm ground and He will always be there to coach us as we try and walk with Him.


Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. Psalm 119:105

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul.  He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Psalm 23:1-3

I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go." Isaiah 48:17

As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. Luke 6:47-48

My Prayer: Lord You are a great God and You are my God, my teacher, my guide, my counselor, my protector, my healer, my provider and You are with me always.  What a great God You are!  I am not worth such a God - You bless me beyond what I deserve.  I continue to worry.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me turn from my sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength. Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure her of her cancer and the side effects from chemo and radiation. Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin...and serve You.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.