Isaiah – Page 7 – Be Still…

Isaiah 60:1-22 – The Light is Coming

What a proclamation of light breaking through the darkness! It’s like hope raining down on God’s people at last! “Arise, Jerusalem! Let your light shine for all to see. For the glory of the Lord rises to shine on you. Darkness as black as night covers all the nations of the earth, but the glory of the Lord rises and appears over you.”

These first 6 verses are often text used on Epiphany Sunday in our tradition. Epiphany is traditionally January 6, and we will be celebrating that this coming week. To Isaiah’s audience, they had been stuck in a pattern of darkness. These words would bring hope. They are being given a glimpse into the fullness of life that will happen during the restoration. Would they actually allow themselves to believe?

Isaiah 59:1-21 – Victory Over Sin

Read Isaiah 59:1-21

stick figures with arms raised overhead in victory

Do you ever feel like God isn’t listening? It seems the Israelites had a similar experience. They were questioning God. You can almost hear the “whining,” can’t you? Isaiah needed to set the record straight. “Listen! The Lord’s arm is not too weak to save you, nor is his ear too deaf to hear you call. It’s your sins that have cut you off from God. Because of your sins, he has turned away and will not listen anymore.” Our sinfulness does separate us from God.

As followers of Christ, we know what Christ did on our behalf. He endured so much so he could forgive our sins. Does that mean we won’t sin now? Unfortunately, no. Though we still sin, our relationship with God is restored by God’s gracious, undeserved love. We are forgiven sinners, justified by God’s grace alone through faith in Jesus the Messiah.

Isaiah 58:1-14 – Be a Light

Read Isaiah 58:1-14

Have you ever gotten in trouble when you thought you were doing the right thing? God can see our hearts. We can’t hide from God. This was an interesting passage of rebuke. “Shout with the voice of a trumpet blast. Shout aloud! Don’t be timid. Tell my people Israel of their sins! Yet they act so pious!”

The Israelites truly didn’t understand what was wrong. They were fasting, praying, and showing up at the temple every day. It seemed they were doing everything they were “supposed to do” by going through the “holy motions.” But it was their hearts. They loved making a “show” of the behaviors, as it that would allow them to live the lives they wanted the rest of the time.

Isaiah 57:15-21 – Be Humble

Read Isaiah 57:15-21

What does it mean to be humble? A dictionary definition is: not proud or haughty, not arrogant or assertive. According to an article I read in Forbes, here are some habits or traits of someone who is humble or acts in humility. (1) They’re Situationally Aware; (2) They Retain Relationships; (3)They Make Difficult Decisions With Ease; (4) They Put Others First; (5) They Listen; (6) They’re Curious; (7) They Speak Their Minds; (8) They Take Time To Say “Thank You”; (9) They Have An Abundance Mentality; (10) They Start Sentences With “You” Rather Than “I”; (11) They Accept Feedback; (12) They Assume Responsibility; and (13) They Ask For Help.

And, they live with God and are restored by him. “I live in the high and holy place with those whose spirits are contrite and humble. I restore the crushed spirit of the humble and revive the courage of those with repentant hearts.” I had underlined this verse in my Bible. Being humble is good. We should strive to be better at being humble. We all know people who are on the other end of the spectrum who are proud, like to hear themselves talk, and always clamor for attention. They can be a bit annoying.

Isaiah 57:3-14 – What Motivates You?

Read Isaiah 57:3-14

Am I the only one that feels like I’ve been slapped upside the head? We’re not used to hearing this kind of tone from God. Yet there can be no doubt how he feels about how his people are acting. One might think, “God must be over-reacting” or “It must be a huge misunderstanding.” Remember, this is God. He is all knowing and all powerful. If he is feeling slighted, even in the least, than his people must surely be disappointing him greatly.

Who was this rant meant for? Was it the Israelites in captivity or those who had been returned to their homeland? Does it matter? It could well be us, today, caught up with our own idolatry. Are we any less guilty of putting our faith in other “gods” or giving our attention elsewhere? What are our motivations?