Since my last blog post, I am continuing my study through Isaiah and have ventured into 2 Corinthians. I will share some of the verses that affected me spiritually and really caused me to stop and think during my study through Isaiah. It says in Isaiah 34:18, "Search from the book of the LORD, and read: Not one of these shall fail; Not one shall lack her mate. For my mouth has commanded it, and His Spirit has gathered them." If you're not searching God's Word, you should. It will not fail you and it will not lack in fulfilling, but rather fulfill over and above.
In Isaiah 35, God gives Isaiah a glimpse into the coming Kingdom. The 1000 year reign of Christ. I love how in verses 8-10 the Highway of Holiness is described. Nothing "unclean shall pass over it", "whoever walks the road, although a fool, Shall not go astray", "But the redeemed shall walk there", "and the ransomed of the LORD shall return".
In Isaiah 37:16 I believe we are given a great example of how to start a prayer to God. Jesus gives us an outline of how to pray in Matthew chapter 6, and in that outline the beginning is praise to God. Matthew 6:9, "...Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name." Isaiah 37:16, is the start of a prayer from King Hezekiah to God. It says, "O LORD of hosts, God of Israel, the One who dwells between the cherubim, You are God, You alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth."
Isaiah 40:6-8 - "6The voice said, 'Cry out!' And he said, 'What shall I cry?' All flesh is grass, And all its loveliness is like the flower of the field. 7The grass withers, the flower fades, Because the breath of the LORD blows upon it; Surely the people are grass. 8The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever." People wither and fade away. Our eternity rests in the promises made in God's Word. The promise that if we have Jesus as our Savior then we will spend eternity with God. We can rest in that, and have peace in that. People don't stand the test of time, but God's Word does, it stands forever.
The latest thing to get me thinking and being truly thankful for is in chapter 43:1 and chapter 44:23. The two, in my opinion, go hand in hand. Let me give a little background story first. In Genesis 25:26, Jacob is born and he is named Jacob because he came out of the womb holding onto his brother's heel. For those that don't know, Jacob means supplanter or deceitful, and deceitful his was throughout his life. If you don't know the story I suggest you read it. Anyways, in Genesis 32 after Jacob wrestles with God, God renames him Israel which literally means Prince with God. Okay, now we can proceed. Isaiah 43:1, "But now, thus says the LORD, who created you, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel; 'Fear not, for I have redeemed you, I have call you by your name; You are Mine." Isaiah 44:23, "...For the LORD has redeemed Jacob, And glorified Himself in Israel." God creates life in our birth. Then we are born, but we are not born pure we are born sinners. Look at the story of Jacob if you don't believe we are sinners when we are born. He came out of the womb grabbing onto his brother's heel as if to say "I want to come out first". Pride in the heart of a newborn already. However, God does not stop at the creation process. He takes that life he created and forms it when we allow Him to do His perfect work in us which is triggered by our true and whole hearted acceptance of Jesus as our Lord and Savior. Read these verses from Romans.
Romans 8:1, and 12-17 - "1There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. 12Therefore, brethren, we are debtors-not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 13For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14For as many as are led by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. 15For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, 'Abba, Father'. 16The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17and if children, then heirs-heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together."
WOW! There is so much goodness in Romans 8. I encourage you to read it. In any event, I shared these verses because when we have Jesus as our Lord and Savior and living according to the Spirit, we are considered co-heirs with Christ. We are Princes with God. We go from being created sinners (Jacob) to being formed into Princes with God (Israel). How awesome is that!? I am so thankful for that! Words can't even express the joy! Why does God do it? If you look at Isaiah 44:23 again, our redemption is for His glory. Simple as that.
Thank you for reading. I know these a multitude of things going on here, but it just goes to show the dynamics of God's Word.
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