Isaiah – Page 9 – Be Still…

Isaiah 51:1-8 – From Where We Came

Do you see yourself included in the opening words of today’s passage? In other words, are you seeking the Lord? “Listen to me, all who hope for deliverance— all who seek the Lord!” Maybe you missed that when you read this through the first time. Let me ask you this, too. Are you feeling a bit overwhelmed right now, perhaps going through your own walk in the valley?

We know that life as a follower of Christ won’t consist entirely of those mountain top, Spirit-filled, dance around the room type experiences. The one truth there is that we are Spirit-filled no matter where we are. We are never alone; it just may feel that way.

Isaiah 50:1-11 – Blame or Boast?

Read Isaiah 50:1-11

Relationships can be destroyed when we play the “blame game.” That is when we look at where we are and take no responsibility for it because we find it easier to blame someone else. For instance, I could say that I’m afraid of spiders because my mother was afraid of spiders. Now that’s a simplistic example, but you get the idea. If we’re not blaming another person, we may be blaming a situation. Why is it we never want to admit our faults but cover them up with some sort of deception?

Our text today opens with the Lord trying to uncover the reasons or excuses people were using to drift away from him into sinful behaviors. Why were they blaming him for something he didn’t do? God is quick to remind us that he is all powerful and all knowing.

Isaiah 49:8-26 – Never Forgotten

Read Isaiah 49:8-26

God’s timing is always perfect. We need to keep that in mind when we are feeling unsure and lost. Imagine God is saying this to you right now, “At just the right time, I will…” (you fill in the blank for what you are asking God to provide. God knows what timing is perfect, we don’t. We can’t see the big picture, but God can.

God knew what he was going to do long before he did it. He was waiting for “just the right time.” We tend to get impatient. Sometimes no action is the answer. God knows it’s not in our best interest to have that thing we asked for. We have to be okay with that and thank him for taking good care of us. It comes back again to not taking God for granted. He never forgets about us, we shouldn’t forget to include him in our lives and plans.

Isaiah 49:1-7 – Commissioned!

Read Isaiah 49:1-7

Picture your life in your mother’s womb. Cozy. Warm. Safe. Do you find it hard to remember? Most people have no conscious memory of that time of their life. I certainly don’t. But during those formative months, God had his hand on you. Let that sink in just a bit.

It’s pretty clear this passage is speaking about the commissioning of Jesus, the Lord’s Servant. Yet, doesn’t it open up for us the realization of how God actively planned our purpose as well? Long before we could walk or talk we were destined to be servants of God. We’re all wired to serve God in the way he has gifted us.

Isaiah 48:1-22 – Freedom

Read Isaiah 48:1-22

What does freedom mean to you? There are many people around the world who have never experienced freedom. Unfortunately, we often take it for granted. And as we’re seeing in the world right now, people are so focused on how their freedoms or rights are being violated they are forgetting the importance of their own responsibility. They go hand in hand. We need to take responsibility for our actions and be grateful for the blessing of freedom.

In God’s rant here, he is calling out the people of Israel as being stubborn. They are taking God for granted, and that is not pleasing to God. He warned them ahead of time what was going to happen so they wouldn’t be shocked or taken by surprise. I’m sure many chose not to believe because it sounded absurd. God is trying to get their attention in both instances where he uses this phrase, “Listen to me, O family of Jacob.” If you’re a parent, you know how frustrating it is when your children don’t listen!