Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.

Isaiah 51-53

Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. Isaiah 53:4-5

I continued my deep dive of Isaiah, based on the Precept Upon Precept study series - and on Day 4 of Lesson 19, my focus is on Isaiah 52:13-15 through chapter 53. Clearly, this text focuses on Isaiah's prophecy of Jesus - the coming Messiah.  My commentary shares the following divisions for this text:

1. Christ repulsive but redemptive then exalted (52:13-15)
2. Christ the "Arm of the Lord" but human and despised (53:1-3)
3. Christ rejected but our atoning substitute (53:4-6)
4. Christ innocent but willing to be slaughtered (53:7-9)
5. Christ crushed so we could be justified (53:10-12)

The commentary then describes and debunks alternative views how "Israel is the suffering servant" using both Isaiah 53:8 where the text states that He was "stricken for the transgression of my people" - Israel was the transgressor not the suffering servant who was struck and pierced - Jesus was.  The commentary then uses Acts 8, where Philip meets the Ethiopian eunuch who is reading Isaiah 53:7-8 and asks for help understanding the text - who is this prophet that is the subject of the text? Philip then unequivocally shares (Acts 8:35) the Good News of Jesus Christ. The commentary then proceeds to states that "the central message of Isaiah 53 is substitutionary atonement. This was the central message of the whole animal sacrificial system, that the blood of a substitute can remove the death penalty for sin." Just as Israel needed animal sacrifice to approach God (Leviticus 16:21 per the commentary), all of us needed Jesus to die on the cross for us to be reconciled to God.  The commentary then bluntly states: "[t]hough this transfer of guilt is mysterious, God claims the right to do it, and without it we have no hope."  Believers must reflect on this and let it sink in - our only hope is Jesus and because of what He did for us on the cross.  Reflect on this and be grateful because we are NOT deserving as all of us sin and the wages of sin are death (Romans 3:23, 1 John 1:8, Romans 6:23).

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Heavenly Father, Jesus, You are an awesome God - I was hostile and an enemy to You but You loved me first and died for me so that I could have life both abundantly now and forever with You in Heaven - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving!  My sin continues...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.

Behold my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my Spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations.

Isaiah 42-44

Behold my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my Spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations. Isaiah 42:1

I continue my deep dive of Isaiah, based on the Precept Upon Precept study series. Today, I move on to Lesson 16, Day 2, where the focus is Isaiah 42.  Here, my commentary outlines the following divisions:

1. The Gentle King and His Irresistibly Advancing Kingdom (v1-7)
2. The Message of the Kingdom Resulting in Joyful Praise (v8-12)
3. The Zeal of the Warrior God Rescuing His Captive People (v13-17)
4. The Shameful Condition of God's Sinful People
   

In v1-7 we see a prophecy of the coming Messiah - Jesus Christ. He is referred to as God's servant (v1).  He has chosen Him (v1).  He delights in Him (v1).  He put His Spirit upon Him (v1). He is "giving" us Christ "as a covenant for the people, a light for the nations, to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon from the prison those who sit in darkness."  Behold indeed!

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You ARE the Promised Messiah, the One told about and anticipated about long ago in the book of Isaiah.  You came to save me and all of humanity throughout redemptive history - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You came to save me and how You did save me.  My sin is great and it continues.  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.   

After the death of Jehoiada, the officials of Judah came and paid homage to the king, and he listened to them. They abandoned the temple of the Lord, the God of their ancestors, and worshiped Asherah poles and idols. Because of their guilt, God’s anger came on Judah and Jerusalem. Although the Lord sent prophets to the people to bring them back to him, and though they testified against them, they would not listen.

2 Chronicles 24 and 2 Kings 10, 12-13  

After the death of Jehoiada, the officials of Judah came and paid homage to the king, and he listened  to them. They abandoned the temple of the Lord, the God of their ancestors, and worshiped Asherah poles and idols. Because of their guilt, God’s anger came on Judah and Jerusalem. Although the Lord sent prophets to the people to bring them back to him, and though they testified against them, they would not listen. 2 Chronicles 24:17-19

  

Day 164 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 a return to my study of the divided kingdoms of Israel and Judah as we see the prophecies of Joel unfold.  Israel is attacked just as foretold by Joel.  King Jehu of Israel dies and his son Jehoahaz assumes the throne - Jehoahaz "did evil in the eyes of the Lord" (2 Kings 13) with only brief respite. Other kings in Israel that follow (Jehoash) also do evil in the eyes of the Lord. In Judah, Joash repairs the temple (2 Kings 12 and 2 Chronicles 24), but as hinted in my post from a couple of days ago, Joash allows paganism and God's anger burned - despite the warnings from Joel and other prophets. Jehoida the priest dies, and his son Zechariah takes his place, warning Judah to not forsake the Lord. Joash orders Zechariah to be stoned.  Soon after Syria invades Israel, Syria also invades Judah but Joash uses sacred objects of value to buy off Syria, and Syria withdraws from Judah.  Elisha dies and his final instructions to Israel are not fully carried out.  Although Syria withdraws, Joash is mortally wounded.

Once again we see God's anger burn in the Old Testament - see also my post here.

We MUST recognize that we are no different from Israel or Judah in our sin - we all sin, need a savior, and Jesus is that Savior.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is SO full of compassion and mercy for me - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such love.  My worry, anxiety and sin continues.  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.

For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

Isaiah 53

For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors. v12

The "arm of the Lord" (v1) is portrayed as our savior and we know Jesus as this Savior.  Here is chapter 53, we get a rich description of His identity and His death an act of sacrifice for the sins of all mankind.

V2: He came as human flesh with no bearing as a savior to those who did not see Him as fulfillment of prophecy.  

V3-4: Mankind rejected Him.

V4-6: He who knew no sin became sin for us (2 Corinthians 5:21).

V7-9: He died a gruesome death despite living a sinless life.

V10-12: It was the Lord's will and He will rise and reign.

It is important that we recognize that we all sin and are in need of a Savior (Romans 3:23, 1 John 1:8) - Jesus is that Savior.  We must also recognize who our Savior is and what He did for us.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and You suffered and died so that I could have life - thank You Jesus.  What an incredible gift of grace - I am completely unworthy.  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.

In that day the Branch of the Lord will be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the land will be the pride and glory of the survivors in Israel.

Isaiah 4

In that day the Branch of the Lord will be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the land will be the pride and glory of the survivors in Israel. v2

Isaiah 3 and 5 speak of how God brings judgement on Israel and Judah and how many will suffer. Yet in chapter 4 we see a glimpse of hope for those who have remained faithful.  The reference to
the vine and the branch calls to mind John 15.


Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. John 15:4

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who has cleansed me, tended to me, encouraged me, healed me, disciplined me, molded me, and so much more - You are a great God and apart from You I can do no good things.  Thank You Jesus for being a lamp unto my feet.  I am not worth such love.  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.   Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  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.

“The rest of the people—priests, Levites, gatekeepers, musicians, temple servants and all who separated themselves from the neighboring peoples for the sake of the Law of God, together with their wives and all their sons and daughters who are able to understand— all these now join their fellow Israelites the nobles, and bind themselves with a curse and an oath to follow the Law of God given through Moses the servant of God and to obey carefully all the commands, regulations and decrees of the Lord our Lord.

Nehemiah 10

“The rest of the people—priests, Levites, gatekeepers, musicians, temple servants and all who separated themselves from the neighboring peoples for the sake of the Law of God, together with their wives and all their sons and daughters who are able to understand— all these now join their fellow Israelites the nobles, and bind themselves with a curse and an oath to follow the Law of God given through Moses the servant of God and to obey carefully all the commands, regulations and decrees of the Lord our Lord. v28-29

In Nehemiah 9, we have a great summary of God's grace and mercy - in face of Israel's sin - over the course of Israel's history from the time of Abraham through to Moses and the kings that followed.

In Nehemiah 10 we see Israel make a covenant to re-dedicate themselves to the Lord.  Yet as believers in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we should recognize that there our efforts are insufficient to save us - we need Jesus Christ.

My church did a series on the "solas" from the reformation - including one entitled Sola Gratia.

John Piper also writes about how it is the grace of Jesus Christ that we are saved and have faith.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what an amazing God You are that You would send Your one and only Son so that I could be saved and have eternity in Heaven with You.  Thank You!  What an amazing gift - without a doubt the greatest gift of all time.  I am not worth such a gift.  I worry...and I am often harsh with my words and actions.  Please forgive me.  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.  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.

Who am I, Lord God, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far?

1 Chronicles 17

Who am I, Lord God, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far? v16

Following a dream where God appears to Nathan who relays God's message to David, and how David's son Solomon will build The Temple, David appropriately goes to the Lord in prayer, expressing great humility.

We all need a savior, for we all have sin (Romans 3:23, 1 John 1:18).  While I have yet to meet anyone who does not claim to be without sin, I have met many, including those in my own family, who do not see the need for a savior.  We need a savior not only because of our sin, but also because of the consequences of our sin.  The wages of sin are death (Romans 6:23), which manifests itself in the cycle of sin, shame, guilt, more sin, etc. and ultimately the price of sin is eternal damnation.

James explains this process:

Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. James 1:15


Shame, guilt, and more sin is inevitable and only God can break this cycle by giving us freedom over both sin and death.  God does this by giving us His Son Jesus who is nailed on the cross - along with all of our sin - so that we have victory over sin and death. 

This is why we need Jesus and it starts with humility - which is why Jesus started the Sermon on the Mount with the following:

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:3

Lord Jesus, please give me humility.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has come to save me - thank You Jesus!  I am in desperate need of a Savior.  My sins are many - including 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.

But that is not what God desires; rather, he devises ways so that a banished person does not remain banished from him.

2 Samuel 14

But that is not what God desires; rather, he devises ways so that a banished person does not remain banished from him. v14

After killing his brother Amnon, Absalom flees.  Joab, David's commander of his army, devises a plot to bring Absalom back to Jerusalem.  He conspires with a woman from Tekoa to deliver a message to King David.  The woman convinces David to allow Absalom to return to Jerusalem.  

Part of her message includes a statement on God's mercy God, and that while God does get disappointed (and angry at times) when we sin, He does desire for us to return to Him.  That is well documented with the Israelites, and ultimately, Jesus Christ paves the way for us to have freedom from the sting of sin and death, inviting all to accept an invitation for Jesus to become our Lord and Savior.

See also the Parable of the Lost Sheep, Lost (Prodigal) Son, and the Lost Coin in Luke 15.


God is great!

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God, full of love and compassion for me...for You have always welcomed me back to Your arms when I sin and ask for Your forgiveness.  You have always forgiven me.  Thank You Jesus.  I am not worth such love and compassion and mercy.  I continue to worry.  Please forgive me and help me overcome my sin and turn 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 give them Godly friends and spouses.  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.

All your words are true; all your righteous laws are eternal.

Psalm 119

All your words are true; all your righteous laws are eternal. v160

In world where standards - moral, ethical, educational, etc. - keep shifting or eroding,  God stands alone as the source of truth that never changes.  He is eternal and everything about Him is eternal, including His character and His attributes.

Luke 1:37 says: "For no word from God will ever fail".

Earlier in this Psalm it says: 
 

Your faithfulness continues through all generations; you established the earth, and it endures. v90

 

James 1:17 says God "does not change like shifting shadows."

 

While our circumstances constantly change, a strong faith and trust in God will prevent us from being shaken.

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. James 1:5-6

 

Of course, when we better understand God and become more like Him (Romans 12:2), our ability to stand firm in our faith SHOULD grow.  

 

See also biblical references to "not shaken". 

 

My Prayer: Lord, You are truth and light in world of darkness...without You I would be lost.  Thank You for being my light, my God, my Lord and Savior.  I am not worth Your love because I continue to worry far too much.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome 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 her 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 for me today and every day.

In God, whose word I praise, in the Lord, whose word I praise—in God I trust and am not afraid. What can man do to me?

Psalm 56

In God, whose word I praise, in the Lord, whose word I praise—in God I trust and am not afraid.  What can man do to me? v10-11

First of all, the Word of God, the Bible - is God.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1

The Word of God, which we know as God Himself is alive, active, and critical to our development as children of God...which should go without saying once you know that the Word of God IS God.
 

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness...2 Timothy 3:16

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Hebrews 4:12

My Prayer: Lord, You are an awesome God and I love spending time with You through Your Word and in prayer.  You appear to me and provide a rest and peace that I am unable to find anywhere else.  Thank You Jesus.  Yet there are many times when I feel anxious and stressed.  Please forgive me for my worry and help me overcome and turn from such sin.  Help me turn towards You instead.  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 her from 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.