Day 52: Isaiah 41:19-Isaiah 52:12 - 90 Day Challenge

God Continues to Save His People


Do any of us truly deserve God's grace? No, but that's why it's called grace. It's a gift! We can talk, day after day, about what idiots the Israelites were. They had everything going for them and yet they still turned their backs on God! However, everyday, we all do little things that bring us further away from God as well. And He forgives us as He forgave them. He blesses us with His grace and His mercy the same way it was extended to the Israelites. That should bring us all some comfort. 

The caption of Isaiah 43 is "Israel's Only Savior." How fitting is that? Through all those kings, all those judges, the only true savior, the only one who actually saves was there for all of it. He was there all along. And they turned their backs on Him! But Isaiah 43:2 shows what a merciful savior God is: 

"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze." 

Why did He do this?! Because He loves us. (Please note, the waters, rivers, and flames are representative of difficulties. If you walk through a fire, you will catch on fire. Make smart decisions.) 

Furthermore, in Isaiah 43:25 the Lord says that He will blot out Israel's transgressions, and forget their sins! They did some crazy stuff, but God cares for them, and wants to continue caring for them. That is grace if I've ever heard it. 

How else do we know that God cares? Not only for Israel, but for us too? Three verses, Isaiah 49:13, 49:16, and 51:6. 

Isaiah 49:13 says that we are to "Shout for joy, O heavens; rejoice, O earth; burst into song, O mountains! For the Lord comforts His people and will have compassion on His afflicted ones." 

The Lord is there to comfort us, all of us! 

Isaiah 49:16 I believe, is best expressed like this: 

And boy, are we engraved in the palms of His hands alright. I know we're still in the Old Testament, and this might be a leap, but we are most certainly engraved in the palms of our savior. He took a nail in each palm for us and was hung on a cross by his palms for our sins. We are engraved in the palms of our God and our Savior. 

Lastly, Isaiah 51:6 says that the Earth will come to an end. That the Earth will wear out like a garment. But the Lord's salvation will last forever, and His righteousness will never fail. 

Though everything around us will end, the Lord's mercy is unending, His grace in infinite. And it's a gift, freely given to all who call upon Him. Our God is with us. Always. 

Tomorrow's reading: Isaiah 52:13-Isaiah 66:18
Have a wonderful Wednesday!
Jill Jafarace
Director of Student Ministries
New Leaf UMC


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