Day 51: Isaiah 29:1-Isaiah 41:18 - 90 Day Challenge

Finding Rest in the Lord


Today's reading begins with the Lord mourning the sins of the nations we've spent the most time with in the Old Testament so far. He compares their view of Him to a vase looking at a potter and saying, "You know nothing." (Isaiah 29:16). It talks about how the Lord came to save the nations time and time again, but they nations responded with just words, not actions. But God continued to save them, because He is a gracious and compassionate God. It's also pointed out that the people so frequently relied on horses, on other nations, on worldly things--rather than relying on God, and seeking help from the Lord. 

Then, we see a little bit of a turnaround, in Isaiah 33:2, there is a cry for help. "O Lord, be gracious to us; we long for you. Be our strength every morning, our salvation in time of distress." The Lord should be our strength every morning. Waking up is hard enough, without thinking about the crazy world we have to face. We need the Lord's strength, and His salvation as we continue throughout our day. This verse may serve as a short reminder of how to guide our prayers. 

Actually, a lot of Isaiah is all about strength. In Isaiah 35:3-4, we get a whole paragraph on God strengthening His people. "Say to those with fearful hearts, 'Be strong, and do not fear." It also says that the feeble hands will be strengthened, and the knees that give way will be steadied. 

In Isaiah 36-39, we get a little blast from the past! Remember Hezekiah? It retells his story of leadership, and then leads into Isaiah 40: Comfort for God's People. 

Isaiah 40:11--He tends His flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart; He gently leads those who have young. 

Why would He do that? Because He cares for us and for our well-being. Remember Psalms 23? The Lord wants to provide us rest. He wants to keep us save. He loves us. 

We also get this awesome verses just a few lines later in Isaiah 40:31

I'd like to end on Isaiah 41:9-10. Remember, Isaiah is just a person, he's being God's mouth to the people. That certainly doesn't seem like an easy task. But in Isaiah 41:9 God tell's Isaiah that he was chosen from the ends of the earth, and has not been rejected by God. And in Isaiah 41:10 He provides Isaiah with comfort. "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

Tomorrow's reading: Isaiah 41:19-Isaiah 52:12
Have a wonderful day! 
Jill Jafarace
Director of Student Ministry
New Leaf UMC


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