We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Isaiah 53

We all, like sheep, have gone astray,

each of us has turned to our own way;

and the Lord has laid on him

the iniquity of us all. v6

We HAVE all gone astray and God HAS laid on Jesus the iniquity of us all. 

Verse 4-5 are also true and prophecies of the coming Jesus.

Surely he took up our pain

and bore our suffering,

yet we considered him punished by God,

stricken by him, and afflicted.

But he was pierced for our transgressions,

he was crushed for our iniquities;

the punishment that brought us peace was on him,

and by his wounds we are healed.

The greatest gift of all...

My Prayer: Lord, among all the blessings with which you have blessed me, your death on the cross is the greatest gift as it nailed my sin to the cross.  I am no longer slave to sin and I am forgiven.  Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God!  I know You want me to come to You and sometimes I don't out of my own laziness.  I know You love me but please forgive me and help grow my desire for You and help me so that Your desires are my desires.

“Hear me, you who know what is right,you people who have taken my instruction to heart

Isaiah 51

“Hear me, you who know what is right,

you people who have taken my instruction to heart:

Do not fear the reproach of mere mortals

or be terrified by their insults.

For the moth will eat them up like a garment;

the worm will devour them like wool.

But my righteousness will last forever,

my salvation through all generations.” v7-8

Focus on God's words and do not worry about words of humans.

We are of course to focus on God and glorifying and delighting Him.  This is of course the purpose of our existence.  However, we live on earth and must fulfill His purpose for us while we are mortal beings.  We are to avoid focus too much on ourselves, our own desires, and to stand guard against influence of non believers.

My Prayer: Lord, Your words are eternal, they are perfect, and they are for me! Amazing.  Yet I don't always seek out Your word and I don't always follow or obey Your words.  I know You love me anyway so I thank You but I pray that You will forgive me.  I also wish that Your desires are my desires. Help me be more like You.



The Sovereign Lord has given me a well-instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being instructed.

Isaiah 50

The Sovereign Lord has given me a well-instructed tongue,

to know the word that sustains the weary.

He wakens me morning by morning,

wakens my ear to listen like one being instructed.  v4

Elsewhere:

[M]an does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.  Deuteronomy 8:3

But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. Psalm 1:2

My Prayer: Lord, Your word is perfect - nothing else is needed.  Just the same, all i need is you...however, i often seek other gods...this is not right!!  I know you love me anyway but please forgive me lord jesus.  Help me.  purify me and help me lean solely on you.  Help me so that your desires are my desires.  Help me be more like you.

Before I was born the Lord called me; from my mother’s womb he has spoken my name.

Isaiah 49

Before I was born the Lord called me;

from my mother’s womb he has spoken my name. v1

...

He made my mouth like a sharpened sword,

in the shadow of his hand he hid me;

he made me into a polished arrow

and concealed me in his quiver.

He said to me, “You are my servant,

Israel, in whom I will display my splendor.” v2-3

I am challenged to act in the name of the Lord Jesus...just as I am with James:

¹⁴ What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds?  James 2:14

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, I desperately desire to be more like You as You are pure, holy, and perfect and You are everything...I also desire to please You.  Yet I fall short.  I know You love me but please forgive me.  Help me....strengthen me and make it such that Your desires are my desires.



“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

Lord, You are Truth, and You are wisdom - through You all things are known.  Without You I would not have any direction nor would I have received the blessings I have received.

My Prayer: Lord, Your Truth is the only source of wisdom and knowledge I hope seek.  Yet from time to time, I consult my own reasoning or other sources and this is sinful.  I know You love me anyway but please forgive me for looking elsewhere.  Help me focus solely on You and on Your guiding hand and light.  Help me so that Your desires are my desires.



"I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist. Return to me, for I have redeemed you.”

Isaiah 44

"I have swept away your offenses like a cloud,

your sins like the morning mist.

Return to me,

for I have redeemed you.” v22

As Christmas Day nears, I think of gifts and family- what is typically the focus.  Yet as I continue to reflect and read this passage, the gift of course is God himself - Jesus Christ.  This gift is permanent and is amazing.  As the scripture says, God redeems.  And He is the only one who can do so...and there is so much more.  

Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life (John 3:36).

My Prayer: Lord Jesus...what an amazing gift You are.  That You gave Your life so I can have life (abundantly and eternally) is really the most amazing part.  I am weak - I know You love me anyway but please forgive me for my weakness and lack of strength and boldness.  Please help me be more like You.  Help me so that Your desires are my desires.  Help me focus on You - the greatest gift of all.

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?

Isaiah 43

“Forget the former things;

do not dwell on the past.

See, I am doing a new thing!

Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? v18-19

As I have read here, God is always doing something...and He is always doing something specifically for me.  He is alive and active as I have posted here:

Faith is in Him and faith is that what He has in store for us is great - regardless of what the circumstances are (1 Thes 5:18)

My Prayer: Lord, You have always done great things - and great things specifically for me.  And You continue to do so.  I am not worthy of such blessings.  I fail to lead in my house as You command me.  I know You love me anyway but please forgive me Lord Jesus.  Help me be the man You intend for me.  Encourage me, give me strength, work through me Lord Jesus.