Day By Day - Isaiah 42
By Paul Rich
Opening Thoughts:
Isaiah 42:9 - “Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare; before they spring forth I tell you of them.”
The accuracy of Scripture is truly amazing! Hundreds of years before this event, God lays out His plan in detail. If it was left to me to prophesy, I'd be a little more general, like, "It will rain in the near future", and I'd be as accurate as modern-day weather bureaus. But God wanted people to know His plan for mankind.
1. The Christ
In the opening verse of this chapter we read, "The one in whom I delight" and "the Spirit will be on Him." This was re-emphasised when Jesus was baptised. In Matthew 3:16-17 we read, 'As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him, I am well pleased."'
2. Saving Grace
Isaiah 42:3 - “A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out. In faithfulness he will bring forth justice.”
I don't know about you, but, at times, I question my own faithfulness. Like the apostle Paul, I seem to do the things I don't want to and don't do the things I should. It is just as Paul said, "Oh wretched man that I am!" But then there's grace and the justification that comes through belonging to Christ. He won't give up on any of us.
3. True Freedom
Isaiah 42:7 - “to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness.”
Although the imagery here is physical, it can't possibly be taken that way, after all, people are put in prison for good reason.
I like to use this verse when I'm praying for the lost. "Lord, open their eyes so they can see where they are heading. Let them see your saving grace."
Sin is like an addictive drug. It can ensnare you, and before you know it you’re trapped. There are all sorts of excuses that can keep us sinning; eg "Those road signs are ridiculous, so I can ignore them." Or, "I can't help it when I lash out in anger, it's my nature!"
These prisons we find ourselves in don't have locks on the doors any more. Jesus has paid the price and we are free to escape. The big question is - Do we want to?
Final Thoughts:
Isaiah 42:10(a) - "Sing to the LORD a new song, his praise from the ends of the earth..."
Long before Jesus walked this earth, Isaiah foretold His goodness. Here we are in 2020 still receiving His benefits on a daily basis.
I think that's reason enough to praise His name.
Opening Thoughts:
Isaiah 42:9 - “Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare; before they spring forth I tell you of them.”
The accuracy of Scripture is truly amazing! Hundreds of years before this event, God lays out His plan in detail. If it was left to me to prophesy, I'd be a little more general, like, "It will rain in the near future", and I'd be as accurate as modern-day weather bureaus. But God wanted people to know His plan for mankind.
1. The Christ
In the opening verse of this chapter we read, "The one in whom I delight" and "the Spirit will be on Him." This was re-emphasised when Jesus was baptised. In Matthew 3:16-17 we read, 'As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him, I am well pleased."'
2. Saving Grace
Isaiah 42:3 - “A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out. In faithfulness he will bring forth justice.”
I don't know about you, but, at times, I question my own faithfulness. Like the apostle Paul, I seem to do the things I don't want to and don't do the things I should. It is just as Paul said, "Oh wretched man that I am!" But then there's grace and the justification that comes through belonging to Christ. He won't give up on any of us.
3. True Freedom
Isaiah 42:7 - “to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness.”
Although the imagery here is physical, it can't possibly be taken that way, after all, people are put in prison for good reason.
I like to use this verse when I'm praying for the lost. "Lord, open their eyes so they can see where they are heading. Let them see your saving grace."
Sin is like an addictive drug. It can ensnare you, and before you know it you’re trapped. There are all sorts of excuses that can keep us sinning; eg "Those road signs are ridiculous, so I can ignore them." Or, "I can't help it when I lash out in anger, it's my nature!"
These prisons we find ourselves in don't have locks on the doors any more. Jesus has paid the price and we are free to escape. The big question is - Do we want to?
Final Thoughts:
Isaiah 42:10(a) - "Sing to the LORD a new song, his praise from the ends of the earth..."
Long before Jesus walked this earth, Isaiah foretold His goodness. Here we are in 2020 still receiving His benefits on a daily basis.
I think that's reason enough to praise His name.
Posted in Isaiah