At Easter time we often think of Isaiah’s prophecy regarding the One who was despised and rejected of men, oppressed and afflicted without opening His mouth and attribute it, rightly so, to Jesus the Messiah. However, it is important to read chapter 52 as an introduction to the message of chapter 53.
Writing to encourage the remnant after pages of dire prophecy pronounced for both their immediate and the distant future, Isaiah is given a salvation message of hope, beginning in chapter 49. “The Lord comforts His people and will have compassion….I will not forget you [says God]….see I have engraved you on the palms of My hands!…..those who hope in Me will not be disappointed.” (49:13,16,23)
Pursuit of the Lord’s righteousness is taught throughout chapter 50 “My righteousness draws near speedily, My salvation is on the way….My righteousness will last forever, My salvation will never fail!” Happy thoughts! (50:1, 5, 6,8)
Then the lyrics change. “Awake! Awake!” (51:9) As the arm of the Lord takes action on behalf of His people, the nation itself must also awake! (:17) Even those who have been under the wrath of God are being called to awake, to clothe themselves with strength. At this time “The redeemed of the Lord will return”(11-12) What joy and celebration as the Lord comforts His people!
In the midst of hopeless circumstances we cannot see the way out of our distress, but clearly here the Lord lays out His eternal plan. Throughout Chapter 52 we see the joy of renewal. “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news! who bring glad tidings, and proclaim peace”….because once again they will know their God reigns! (:7)
Reflection:
How much we need this message today – a message of great joy and amazing hope that will draw us to the feet of our God where, despite the politics of our world, we will worship the One who still reigns! Awake!
Many jobs seem to be glamorous to the human mind. Flight attendants, for example, get to travel the world. No one sees the sleeplessness caused by perpetual time zone changes. Nor do the passengers care if the person serving them has needs as simple as eating or washroom breaks…after all the passenger comes first….. and so health issues evolve from job-related limitations.
In years gone by a prophet was someone of status. After all they were connected with God. Even today people want to be known for their ability to prophesy, but I wonder if they are willing to pay the price?
It would take a book to comprehensively study the lives of more than one prophet, so let’s just glimpse into Isaiah’s life for the moment. My morning devotions came from Isaiah 21 where he records a vision that staggered and bewildered him (21:3). God’s judgment was about to fall on Babylon and against their neighbour Edom. Reaction set in – even his body was racked with pain. His heart faltered and fear made him tremble (:4).
Isaiah had just come through three years of going barefoot, stripped of warm garments in order to play out the coming judgment against Egypt, in the dress of a prisoner of war. His entire life, committed to serving God, required that he even name his children according to the word of the Lord. Isaiah 7:3 – Shear-Jashub means “a remnant shall return”. His second son was Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz, meaning “quick to plunder, swift to the spoil” (8:3).
Now God was giving Isaiah words of prophecy against Babylon, Edom and Arabia. “The Lord God of Israel has spoken” (:17). However, God’s judgement doesn’t end there. Jerusalem also falls under God’s condemnation. Why? They had ignored God (22:11). This is an unforgivable sin, then and now. Those that joy in revelry, eating and drinking and making merry without thought for tomorrow (22:12-13) will be judged (22:14).
Imagine the response to such a prophecy, from the people of God. The Israelites were not impressed. Prophets did not hold an enviable position. They were ridiculed, ignored and persecuted for giving unfavourable messages from God. Then as now, people chose to hear what they wanted to hear. Prophets today remind us that Jesus is coming again, but how many want to get ready for that great event?
Sadly, the church is even lukewarm to the message that instructs us to be vigilant. Resting on wealth and comfort as our “right” we fail to realize that we may be among those who are “wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.” Those are the words of Jesus as He prophesied about end times (Revelation 3:17).
Reflection:
What is it you want to hear from God, if you are honest?
What words of prophecy are most often taught by the church today?
Are we listening to the words of our Prophet, Priest and King?
Where did evil begin? When Adam and Eve disobeyed God, His reaction was kindly. He provided a covering, clothes for their nakedness. However, by the time their sons were old enough to make responsible sacrifices to their God, the first act of human depravity was recorded. Cain killed Abel in a fit of jealous rage because Abel’s sacrifice was more pleasing to God.
Recently our Bible Study group was looking at the subject of evil. It is interesting to note that Cain’s reaction was not against the object of his anger, God, but rather he took it out on someone he could actually handle. Mankind has been doing this ever since. How often do women and children pay the penalty for the anger of man? Whether it is personal or national, abuse creates a scandal against humanity.
It is terribly sad that in venting anger there seems to be so little relief. Strangely it seems to grow, rather than diminish. Where did it all begin? It might be oversimplifying the answer, but let us suggest cruelty began the moment the taste of apple was on Eve’s tongue. Why? At that moment her mind was poisoned with thoughts of evil. The tree gave her something she had never tasted before, an understanding of evil.
Our question is one which philosophers have studied for years. Whether they attribute evil to a neurochemical cause or find the source in philosophy, some have even gone so far as to attribute evil to God. Did God create evil? Of course not. He created Satan as an angel of light, but Jesus witnessed Satan’s fall “I saw Satan fall like lightening from heaven” (Luke 10:18). That fall is described more fully by Isaiah, who reads the mind of evil very clearly. “I will” is at the centre of it all (Isaiah 14:12-14).
Lucifer means “light-bearer”; Ezekiel describes him as the model of perfection, full of wisdom. He was created, ordained by God and anointed as a guardian cherub (Ezekiel 28:12-14). Until wickedness was found in him, until he sinned, Lucifer was blameless (:15, 16).
Perhaps we need to check out the source of evil still in our midst today. Is it not in the self-determination of man to be in control? Just as Satan rebelled, so did Cain. Why did he have to bring a blood sacrifice to God? Why weren’t the best fruits of his labours enough? Surely he could justify his intentions on the grounds it was his best turnip or pumpkin! And so, we see the tragedy of pitting one’s mind against the mind of God, a mind so far-reaching in its outlook that we cannot possibly see today what will happen tonight, but we still want it our way!
Where does evil originate? David Hume the 18th century neo-sceptic, had no answer. He just asked the same old questions perhaps in a new way, and his thoughts make God into something evil. If God could prevent evil, but is not willing, He is malevolent. If He is not able but willing, then He is not omnipotent, but rather impotent. However, there is one question that remains. Why did God give man the ability to make choices?
If man chooses to operate outside of the clear will of God, resorting to his own devices because of an exaggerated concept of who he is and what his own capabilities are, evil will result. The evil will be very personal. Like Satan, that man will be cast down, brought down to the very depths of the pit (Isaiah 14:12 & 15). But the God, whose kindness saved Adam and Eve from embarrassment, provides for us today. He is willing to cover us with the blood of Christ, which will not just cover, but will take away our sin. Clothed in Jesus Christ we have all the promises of God’s loving favour, to keep us from evil.
Reflection: “Since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus….Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience.” (Hebrews 10:19, 22)
As we have noted before, people who came to Jesus were not defined by their mistakes, but rather by the love of a Saviour who gave everything He had to bring us life and light and love. His love is something we have the privilege of sharing with others, but it can only be given in the measure with which we have experienced it.
Think of the Pharisees. They tried to be what they thought God wanted them to be. They were so very religious, legalistically obeying the law to the letter. They came from generations of well-intended people who were proponents of that law, given by a loving God to protect them as they wandered in the wilderness, as they fought with their enemies, as they raised their children to become God’s children. Israel became a force to be reckoned with among the nations because their God was with them, but alas! they missed the spirit of the law.
From the beginning God demonstrated His love for everyone. He provided sinners with clothes to cover their nakedness; He still provides sinners with all that they need today. The rain falls on the unjust as well as the just (Matthew 5:45). God met with an Egyptian slave-girl in the desert and cared for her and her teen-aged son; today that son’s descendants are scattered across the middle east, a powerful group of Arabs bearing the heritage of Ishmael, whose very name means “God listens”. As we go on through scripture we recognize that God’s love saved folks from other tribes, beyond His particular “chosen” people…Ruth and Rehab who are among the genealogies of Jesus, because God’s love defined their later choices.
What it is that defines your life and mine? Have you been given eternal life because you received salvation purchased by the Lord Jesus Christ? Jesus came to give us an abundant life (John 10:10). What might that look like? His desire was to walk with us day by day, impacting our thinking and our feelings, giving us a new perspective and creating a new spirit (attitude) within each child of God. Through our new lifestyle God uses us to share the light of His truth with everyone we meet….family, friends, colleagues at work and even strangers.
The Apostle Paul had something to say about the way we live out our Christian lives. He taught that God “will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts” (:5). We, as God’s servants must prove ourselves faithful to the trust we have been given (:2). Paul was practical. “Who makes you different from anyone else?” “What do you have that you did not receive?” (:7).
It seems the church at Corinth was fighting against pride and arrogance. Paul draws their attention to the humility required in a servant of God by telling them we might look like fools for Christ’s sake (:10). Then he lists many things we may have to endure, preferably with a loving and gentle spirit (:21). We need to remember we are in a battle for truth and righteousness. We need the Holy Spirit to empower us with kindly thoughts towards everyone, so that we can be true representatives of the love of Jesus. “The kingdom of God is not a matter of talk, but of power!” (:20)….power to reach out to those who are unlovely, just as God reached out to you and to me!
Reflection:
What a challenge it is to live for Jesus! First of all He knows our motives. Are they pleasing to Him? Do we behave as He would? Do we walk in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake? Are we motivated by a powerful compelling desire to please Him? Are our lives defined by the love He poured out at Calvary?
Sometimes I like to reflect on the richness of the old English language which to me sets God apart as very special. The King James version reminds us of Thy salvation, a gift the Psalmist frequently dwells on. In one sense it is my personal salvation, but the gift is from our heavenly Father, since He is the author and finisher/perfector of our faith (Hebrews 12:2).
In today’s world we hear a lot about depression, people who are overwhelmed perhaps by circumstance, such as pandemics. What is it that causes so many young people in developed countries to commit suicide? I often try to imagine what life in a refuge camp would be like, in the twenty-first century; so many people have left the comforts of home to escape from their enemies. What psychological traumas do they endure? What distractions from the terrible realities of each day might they enjoy? Do they have the advantage of a faith that lifts their spirits?
These are broad general conditions that we could very well imagine leading to depression, but what of those secret sins and sorrows of the individual heart? David knew something of those feelings and prayed that God would restore “the joy of Thy salvation” (Psalm 51:12). He knew the source of all healing is God. Some folks have deep regrets about their evil thoughts, expressing innermost feelings of anger and hate. For these we desperately need supernatural help! Those thoughts separate us from God as does any and every sin, and our sorrow is compounded by regret.
Isn’t it remarkable that our loving God has provided for this condition by giving us the Holy Spirit. He produces fruit in us – the fruit of righteousness (Philippians 1:12). That fruit includes self-control. Most of us know that learning often takes place with three steps forward, then two steps back. But let us not lose heart – one step forward is progress! This forward movement becomes the joy of God’s salvation. As long as we are looking at the goal, pressing forward towards the prize, the past will fade away.
However, for many who have been abused, for example, that past never quite disappears. From its reflection we are reminded of hours of pain and suffering, but once again the Holy Spirit steps in to remind us of Jesus’ innocent pain and suffering, on your behalf and mine! WOW! Would I do what He did for my abuser? He has left us an example that we might follow in His steps (1 Peter 2:21). Can we? Might we? Will we?
David’s prayer enlightens us. He needs God to reprogram his spirit. “Grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me” (Psalm 51:13). Are we able to sincerely pray that God, who searches every heart, will change mine, since I don’t seem to be very good at that?
Reflection:
God’s intention is for His children to be people of joy and love. Without His help these things do not come naturally to most of us. The fruit of the indwelling Spirit of God produces goodness and kindness and gentleness, so desperately needed in a world torn by worry and fear. Those of us who know Him have the unspeakable joy of sharing the source of our peace is the One who saves us with His perfect salvation!
Michael W. Smith has written many songs for the modern era of hymnology. It is interesting to compare these with the songs David wrote thousands of years ago. Has anything really changed? What is it that forms the heart of worship? King David, in humility, recognized the sovereignty of God as he bowed down before the Lord his Maker (Psalm 95:6). Michael Smith calls God the “King of endless worth”!
David recommends that we worship the Lord in a spirit of gladness, coming before Him with songs of praise and joy (Psalm 100:2). Michael Smith writes that God deserves even more than a song, because that might be an external expression without the internal reality God is looking for.
When the music fades, All is stripped away, And I simply come, Longing just to bring Something that’s of worth That will bless Your heart, I’ll bring You more than a song; For a song in itself Is not what You have required. You search much deeper within Through the way things appear – You’re looking into my heart
I’m coming back to the heart of worship And it’s all about You, It’s all about You, Jesus. I’m sorry, Lord, for the thing I’ve made it When it’s all about You, It’s all about You, Jesus
King of endless worth, No one could express How much You deserve. Though I’m weak and poor All I have is Yours, Every single breath! I’ll bring You more than a song For a song in itself Is not what You have required. You search much deeper within Through the way things appear- You’re looking into my heart.
Reflection: As we bow in worship do we mean what we think about God, what we say, what we sing? Is it all about Him? Just what do we know about God that draws real praise from our spirits? Are we passionately in love with the Lover of our souls?
“The time is coming” Jesus said, “and has now come, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit and His worshipers must worship Him in spirit and in truth” (Matthew 4:23-24). How seriously do we take these words of Jesus?
“In those days”….Joel writes. Joel whose name means “Yahweh is God” was a compatriot of King Joash. This young boy was under the regency of priests, having ascended the throne at the early age of seven (2 Kings 11:21).
At that time a severe drought devastated Israel, and an invasion of locusts was seen by the prophet Joel as punishment from God for the sins of His people. Locust swarms commonly number in the millions, if not the billions. In this instance they came in waves, first the great locusts, followed by the young locusts. He directs his first prophecy to the “elders” of the people. “Hear this, you elders, listen!!” (1:2)
The Word of the Lord continued as recorded by Joel. “The day of the Lord is near”. He saw this as a day of judgment: “Alas for that day” (1:13). He calls “Wake up you drunkards and weep” (1:5). The trumpet should have warned the people that “the day of the Lord is coming” (2:1). He envisioned God returning in a day of darkness and gloom: “The Lord thunders at the head of His army, His forces are without number” (2:2, 11).
Yet how precious it is to read that God is also speaking hope through His prophet. He calls “Return to Me with all your heart….rend your heart and not your garments” (2:12-13). Don’t go through the rituals but be sincere in your commitment to Me! His invitation is warm and loving. “Return to the Lord your God for He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love” (2:13).
However, there is coming a day – “In those days and at that time…I will gather all nations and bring them down to the valley of Jehoshaphat” (3:2)….”Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision” (3:14). What is so important about this? It is where God will decide about men, not men deciding about God!
Have you ever heard people judging God? “Why” this and “Why” that? “How could a loving God…?” Often this comes from folks who never ask God to show them the way. But – there is coming a day when we may meet Him in the Valley of Jehoshaphat, the Valley of Decision. Thankfully, if we are believers (John 1:12) when the Lord returns, we have nothing to fear. Our sins have been forgiven, covered over by the blood of Christ.
For those gathered in the Valley of Decision – “Then you will know that I the Lord your God dwell in Zion; My holy hill, Jerusalem will be holy” (3:17). God has given Joel, His prophet, a vision of that day when Messiah will reign in His earthly millennial kingdom.
Reflection:
We live in an era when, by the grace of God we can make a decision to follow His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Joel was writing many centuries before Jesus came to earth. Today we celebrate the Babe, that holy One born of a virgin, fulfilling prophecy. Today are we ready to join multitudes who have bowed down to worship the Christ child? Using the language of Joel, let us prepare our hearts for the day when we will meet our God; we have time to make that choice – to follow Him with all our hearts. We live in the day Joel prophesied about when God would pour out His Spirit on men and women. The moment is near when God will judge the nations, but His love is overwhelming. “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (3:32) What choice have you made in your valley of decision?
NB. A Valley is a place where water flows and grass grows, a place of richness and peace.
Have you ever watched a bubbling brook? How picturesque the tiny rainbows glistening in the spray! What causes the water to bounce and froth? The water is hitting some obstacle. When your life has hit against some rocks does the reaction causes a thousand little rainbows to impact your world with beauty. The hymnist wrote “Then sings my soul, my Saviour God to Thee – How great Thou art!”
When life is hard, and disappointment turns into pain, does the joy of Jesus fill your soul with song? The Bible tells us that the author and finisher [completer] of our faith endured the greatest public shame with joy, because what He went through offered hope to everyone on the planet, then as well as two thousand years later (Hebrews 12:2).
It’s interesting the words the author of Hebrews uses. Not many of us would consider taking up our cross and scorning its shame as joyous, but that is just what Jesus did for you and me. We are called to be like Him in our response to those difficulties which life so often throws at us. Most of us have not resisted trouble to the point of shedding our blood (12:4). We are called to look at hardship as a discipline, not punishment, but rather training in righteous living.
The rainbows resulting make our world a better place. We all know those whose attitude destroys the small graces often found in the midst of trouble. How much sweeter does the love of Jesus make our choices in such moments? And it is a choice. Jesus made the will of His father the goal of His life. He found joy in pleasing His Father. There is no greater thing than that, as we know, who have experienced His peace in the center of our earthly storms.
Joy comes from looking outward; how sad it is to see people who function happily, only in the moment of self-indulgence. That sort of feeling is so very fleeting. It is never enough, but basking in the opportunities to please God by helping others brings a song to our lips! This is when we really “taste and see that the Lord is good!” (Psalm 34:8)
And that song brings glory to our Creator, Redeemer and friend! Immediately our hearts unite because it is the will of God, our Father, to provide for the needs of others through the riches we have experienced of grace, mercy and forgiveness. Then our souls are free to worship in the spirit of holiness, clothed in the righteousness of Christ’s abiding love! Then sings my soul!
Reflection:
How often do we look for externals to create a spirit of happiness? If I only had….? If I were just a bit older? Younger? If I had health and strength think what service I could offer to God. Many years ago I learned that God Himself equips us to do His will. Therefore, circumstances don’t need to alter in order for me to have a joyful song, to celebrate love, peace and hope. I worship God by grasping the opportunities of this moment, today. How sad and actually wasteful it is to live life expecting changes that we think will equip us for acts of mercy, in a spirit of encouragement.
“Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts” (Psalm 95:7b, 8a). Then sings my soul!
The nation of Israel was divided by the sons of Solomon and became known as Israel, in the north, and Judah comprised of two tribes, Benjamin and Judah, in the south. The northern tribes quickly became apostate, renouncing their beliefs in favor of the gods of nations around them. They sought military help from Assyria and Egypt when attacked (Hosea 7:11, 12:1), instead of seeking God’s wisdom and knowledge, which had led them out of Egypt in the first place.
Judah, on the other hand, was led for centuries by priests and kings who were true to their faith. Sadly the priests in the north, ignored the God the patriarchs had worshiped: Noah, setting up an altar to worship God who had saved him and his family from a world-wide flood, Abraham with whom the covenant was made, Moses who led the Israelites out of slavery, David whose poems/psalms became historical forms of worship down through millennia of time, Solomon – the wisest man on earth.
Solomon spoke a lot about knowledge. However, in later years the Lord sounded exasperated when He had Hosea record “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge”. The consequence was God’s judgement on the religious leadership of the day: “Because you have rejected knowledge, I also reject you as My priests”. Discipline would be felt by their children also: “because you have ignored the law of your God, I also will ignore your children” (Hosea 4:6).
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge” (Proverbs 1:7). What did Solomon mean? Were the Jews to be terrified of their God just as surrounding nations feared their gods? Google suggests: Fear of god is defined as a deep reverence, awe, and submission to a deity. For those who do not believe, it can mean the fear of divine judgment and eternal separation, while for believers, it signifies a respectful awe that motivates obedience and worship.
The purpose of the book of Proverbs was to teach the young knowledge and discretion (Proverbs 1:4). Throughout, Solomon links knowledge with understanding and wisdom (9:10), discretion and even discipline (12:1). One’s goal might include finding the knowledge of God (2:5) if you are looking to understand human relationships, for example (2:3). “Choose My instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold” (8:10). Then something happens to our innermost being: “Knowledge will be pleasant to your soul” (2:10).
How many today would like peace of mind? How sad it is then that God seemed to be writing the northern tribes off. “I will pour out My wrath upon you”. Why? “They have deserted the Lord” (4:10) “They [the priests] feed on the sins of My people and relish their wickedness” (4:8). “They are unfaithful to their God” (4:12).
Is this angry God unkind? Unfair? Look at His heart: ”I desire mercy not sacrifice, and acknowledgement of God rather than burnt offerings” (6:6). “I long to redeem them” (7:13). “How can I give you up?…My heart is changed within Me; all My compassion is aroused. I will not carry out My fierce anger” (11:8-9a).
These people in their weakness have abused the gift God gave to them – the gift of choice. God, however, must be true to His character, to His love.
We can look at this scripture personally. As we go into a new year, will we tempt the Lord God to bring judgment upon us or will we bring joy to His heart by our obedience to His Holy Word?
Reflection:
God’s compassion and mercy overrule His anger, then and now. God wants to give His people hope. Without the knowledge of the Lord, people have suffered, but God is bringing that season to an end “For I am God – not man. The Holy One among you” (11:9). “I will heal their waywardness and love them freely” (14:4). Surely the written history of God’s faithfulness will bring us the assurance of His love accomplished through Jesus the Christ, our Lord and Saviour. Praise God! Great is Thy faithfulness!
In a perfect world, God would be in control, man would be happy in relationships, there would never be war, just peace and tranquility contributing to the well-being of all. Prejudice and manipulation would not exist. Hatred wouldn’t be in our vocabulary and next to that, fear would be eradicated. Children would be safe, adults would be free and the air would be filled with laughter and music. There would be no famine or poverty or abuse or disease. What a world! Dream on!
Why is this not possible today? The world was created for the benefit of mankind. With an abundance of food, beauty surrounded man in the garden of Eden, and God established relationships to enrich their experience. What God made, He pronounced “good”! What went wrong? Did God fail to maintain His creation?
NO! God gave man a mind with which to think and make choices. It would seem that in the heart of man was a yearning for something they didn’t have, for something mysteriously better. They weren’t even sure what it was – they just knew they were willing to risk everything they had to get it. God had forbidden them a certain fruit tree. Why? It looked good. The serpent told them it would make them wise – even like God Himself!
The best way to resemble someone is to spend time with them, getting to know how they think and feel, what determines their motivation, their vision, their work ethic, the success of their other relationships. Adam and Eve had the closest relationship possible with God, but when Satan came to tempt them even that was not enough. We may never know what they thought was lacking, but we do know that the same tendency exists today.
Ungrateful for what God had provided, and determined to be like Him, they persuaded themselves to disbelieve what God had told them. They didn’t have the advantage of psychology 101. All that God had built – the earth in all its glory, their garden home with its principle delights, even their relationship would suffer the challenges of change. The decision had been made. Suddenly they took over the constructs of their future!
How sad that over eons of time mankind still wants to be like God, on their terms. Our world is coloured by ingratitude, resentment and disobedience, in spite of all that God continues to build into our world – scientific advances that brighten the prospects of good health, which make exploration in space possible, knowledge about industry and technology that raises the standard of living, on every side we are surrounded by advantages in a world controlled by God.
Yet there is fear on every side, too. Fear of our fellowman. By relinquishing God’s control, we are now overwhelmed by the possibility of choices which might be made by the arrogance of mankind. Think about nuclear war. Back to the beginning. “Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain.” Do we understand what that means? Do we believe it?
Reflection:
Are you ever tempted to want more than God has given to you? How do you respond?
Do you grieve over the tendency of mankind today to relate to God on their terms?
How do we counteract this tendency, or can we?
Are you involved in building God’s house? What does that entail, for you?
Inspiring Joy 