SCRIPTURE: Isaiah 49 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: Can plunder be taken from warriors, or captives rescued from the fierce ? But this is what the Lord says: “Yes, captives will be taken from warriors, and plunder retrieved from the fierce; I will contend with those who contend with you, and your children I will save. [Isaiah 49:24-25] This chapter describes…
Author: Norm
peace like a river
SCRIPTURE: Isaiah 48 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: Therefore I told you these things long ago; before they happened I announced them to you so that you could not say, ‘My idols did them; my wooden image and metal god ordained them.’ [Isaiah 48:5] God uses Isaiah to prepare His people for what is about to come; He predicts both the…
God’s choice and ours
SCRIPTURE: Isaiah 47 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: I was angry with my people and desecrated my inheritance; I gave them into your hand, and you showed them no mercy. Even on the aged you laid a very heavy yoke. [Isaiah 47:6] This passage describes how God uses a foreign power to punish His people for their sin, but that power…
eternal and unchanging
SCRIPTURE: Isaiah 46 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: To whom will you compare me or count me equal? To whom will you liken me that we may be compared? [Isaiah 46:5] In this chapter Isaiah is exposing the folly of comparing God to idols, or to anyone else. Whether a hand-carved idol or a mighty king or warrior, neither can compare…
His good purpose
SCRIPTURE: Isaiah 45 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: Turn to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other. [Isaiah 45:22] Isaiah makes the amazing claim that God is directing King Cyrus (of Babylon) to overcome the Assyrians and eventually restore Israel as a nation [read Cyrus’ decree in Ezra 1:1-4]. He…
power and authority
SCRIPTURE: Isaiah 44 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: I am the Lord, who has made all things, who alone stretched out the heavens, who spread out the earth by myself, … who overthrows the learning of the wise and turns it into nonsense, who carries out the words of his servants and fulfills the predictions of his messengers, who says…
a silent witness?
SCRIPTURE: Isaiah 43 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: The wild animals honor me, the jackals and the owls, because I provide water in the desert and streams in the wasteland, to give drink to my people, my chosen, the people I formed for myself that they may proclaim my praise. Yet you have not called upon me, O Jacob, you…
update from Nathan
Our son Nathan is on a one year internship with Urban Promise, a ministry “that exists to proclaim the love of Jesus, and to express it through the spiritual, social and educational development of children, youth and families living in government housing.” November 17, 2010 Hello Everyone, I just have to say that I have…
patient or tough love
SCRIPTURE: Isaiah 42 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out. In faithfulness he will bring forth justice; he will not falter or be discouraged till he establishes justice on earth. [Isaiah 42:3-4] Isaiah describes God’s messiah as a loving, gentle leader who will tirelessly work for justice…
no fear, He will help me!
SCRIPTURE: Isaiah 41 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. [Isaiah 41:13] Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and,…