Isaiah – Page 8 – Be Still…

Isaiah 56:1-8 – Commit to the Lord!

“Be just and fair to all.” Words from the Lord can speak to us across the ages. I think of a parent’s instruction to their children to “play nicely.” We see so much hatred and misunderstanding in our society today. It’s always been there. Why is it that people tend to look down upon people who are different? Why do bullies revel in taking advantage of others?

Instead, we should take head to this simple advice from on high. “Blessed are those who honor my Sabbath days of rest and keep themselves from doing wrong.” When is the last time you took a day of rest to honor God? Unfortunately, we are living in a time where keeping busy seems to be the norm. We tend to cram our days full to overflowing with tasks, errands, work, and play. What’s left for God?

Isaiah 55:10-13 – Joy-Full!

Read Isaiah 55:10-13

Have you ever read a familiar Bible passage only to feel like it was the first time you read it? God’s word is full of life and ready to fill us with joy. I’m focusing on two beautiful images from our reading today. The first being how the richness of God’s Word is intentional and life-giving. And the other being the thrill of all creation when God’s people were returning from captivity.

I believe God intends for us to live joy-filled, Spirit-filled, servant-hearted lives. His word is designed perfectly for us no matter what we are going through. Just like rain and snow bring nourishment to living plants, God’s word fulfills our needs. “I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it.” God’s messages are available to all.

Isaiah 55:6-9 – Seek God Now

Read Isaiah 55:6-9

What are you waiting for? “Seek the Lord while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near.” When I first read this verse, I thought to myself, “God isn’t going anywhere, is he?” No! God isn’t going anywhere, but we can often drift away from him. If you are reading this, you are probably looking to grow closer to God in your journey of faith. It’s so much easier to connect when we’re burning bright for God rather than to wait until a rainy day.

The other phenomenon that happens is that when we are not seeking the Lord and something bad happens, we don’t necessarily see God as the solution. We try to fix things on our own using our own power. I don’t know about you, but I am confident that the Holy Spirit’s power is much greater than my own personal power. When we can stay plugged in to that, we are so much better off, during the good times and the challenging times.

Isaiah 55:1-5 – All Who Are Thirsty

Read Isaiah 55:1-5

Money can’t buy happiness. You’ve probably heard that before. Many of us will scurry about upgrading our cars, houses, jobs, etc., all in the elusive search for happiness. Wasn’t it Plato who said we humans were like leaky jars? No matter how much water (wealth) we put in, we are never fulfilled.

What do these words mean to you? “Why spend your money on food that does not give you strength? Why pay for food that does you no good?” There are plenty of wealthy people who have spent obscene amounts of money on what they thought would make them happy, only to be left miserable. Even the Israelites in captivity would have set up some sort of barter exchange for their survival. You’ll notice how this text is speaking right to them. This whole chapter is such a beautiful invitation for us to return to God. “Come to me with your ears wide open. Listen, and you will find life.” In other words, we don’t need to be chasing around looking for answers. Our security is with God.

Isaiah 54:1-17 – What a Blessing!

Read Isaiah 54:1-17

This was an interesting passage, wasn’t it? Sometimes I feel like God is speaking right at me from the pages of the Bible. Today was not one of those days, but it could be that for you. What I did sense was that no matter where we come from, what we’ve experienced in the past, what skeletons may be lurking in our closets, God can make us new. He will bless his children.

We also are witness to a great promise. “Just as I swore in the time of Noah that I would never again let a flood cover the earth, so now I swear that I will never again be angry and punish you.” God may get angry with us, but we’ll not be punished. We have a shield of protection around us. We have Jesus.