There is nothing I need more in my life
than more of the love of Jesus.
– Phil Ryken in Loving the Way Jesus Loves
Author: Brian
Follower of Jesus, Husband, Dad, Grandpa, and Pastor
Reflections on Isaiah 28-31
Judgment is coming upon Jerusalem, but restoration will follow.
- Look to the Lord – In their calamity, Jerusalem looked to Egypt rather than God for help. God made clear that Egypt could not help them. Are you looking to the Lord for help, or are you looking everywhere but God?
- Heart – Israel’s hearts were far from God (29:13), so God says he will do wonder upon wonder (v14), that they might be in awe of God (v23). In what ways has your heart drifted from God? Cry out to God that he might do wonder upon wonder, that your hearts might be drawn to him in awe.
Classic Quote
If I have no love I am not just useless
but a positive nuisance.
– John Chrysostom
Isaiah 28-35: Look to the Lord
(28) Where did Ephraim look for a crown of glory and beauty (v1)? Where should they have looked (v5)? Where do we tend to look?
God offered rest to Judah, but they refused (v12). They looked elsewhere for refuge (v14-15). Where else do people look for rest and refuge today?
God lays the foundation of true rest and refuge (v16). How does Peter apply this point for us today (I Peter 2:4-6)?
(29) God is gathering an enemy to surround Jerusalem, but then he will scatter their enemy. To whom should they look for help?
What was wrong with the way the people looked to God (v13)? How might we do this today (see also Mark 7:1-7)?
Instead of looking to God, Judah tried to hide so God wouldn’t see them (v15-16). When do we try to hide from God?
(30-31) Judah looks to Egypt to save them, but Egypt can’t help them. Where should they have looked, and what does he offer to them (30:15)?
Why weren’t they willing (30:16-17)? Why might we be unwilling?
(32) We get a picture of an ideal king in v1-2. How is he described? Explore each word picture.
Who is the ultimate fulfillment of this ideal king? How do you need him to be things for you today?
What will the Spirit bring (v15-17)?
(33) Isaiah looks to Lord for help (v2). How is the Lord described in v5-6? Give an example of when he has been these things for you.
(34-35) God will judge the nations (34), but redeem his people (35). What is the mood of chapter 35? How can this be your mood?
Passion Points
Here are some good posts for your weekend reading:
Holiness Will Make You Unbelievably Happy – Jon Bloom (DG)
God’s call to move “further up and further in” in holiness is an invitation to joy!
Gentleness – All About Communication – James Faris (GR)
Are you gentle? How would you know?
6 Very Good Reasons to Consider Your Short Little Life – Tim Challies
Our lives are short. They are, in the words of the author of Ecclesiastes, little more than vapor, dust blow by the wind. Yet the very thought that could dismay or depress you, can also motivate you. Here are some blessings that will be yours when you pause to consider your short little life.
I Won’t Let Cancer Take Away My Sundays – Jordan Standridge (cripplegate)
The profundity of her mumbled explanation for why she hadn’t stayed home this Sunday or any in the last year for that matter hit me hard. I’ve always said that there’s no place I’d rather be than with God’s people on Sunday morning and Sunday night but I’ve never had cancer in my lungs. Perhaps the bed would be a greater desire for me if I had cancer. And yet for this sweet saint, church was better despite the pain she incurred in coming.
Hope you have a great Lord’s Day with your local church!
Sermon Songs: Revelation 13:11-14:5
The Beast demands all to worship, His statue – a stupid scam
Hear the voice of heaven’s worship, Full of beauty to the Lamb
Come and worship, Come and worship
Come let us worship the Lamb
Behold the Beast his people brands, Striving to rule over men
See the Lamb on Mt. Zion stands, Writes his name on his children
Choose your master, whom you will serve
Come let us follow the Lamb
See God’s people on Mt. Zion, One day we will be set free
From deception, persecution; Our Savior’s face we will see
Cling to your hope, Never waver
Come let us follow the Lamb
To the tune of “Lo, He Comes With Clouds Descending”
Reflections on Isaiah 24-27
God will bring judgment upon the earth, but a glorious day will follow.
- Worship – This passage is filled with worship – praising and giving glory to God (24:14-16, 25:1). We can praise him because he is our stronghold, a shelter from the storm (25:3-4). We can praise him because death and mourning will end (25:8), and the dead will rise (26:19). Ponder these truths and praise the Lord!
- Peace – We can find peace in the midst of trials when we keep our gaze set on the Lord and trust in him (26:3-4). What trials are you facing in your life? Look to the Lord. Trust him. Find his peace.
Reflections on Isaiah 21-23
Oracles of judgment continue: now against Babylon, Jerusalem, Tyre, and Sidon.
- The Lord Has Spoken – God has spoken judgment on Babylon and because God has spoken, it will certainly happen (21:17). Do you believe God’s Word? Are you trusting in his promises? What he says, he will do.
- Repentance – God called Jerusalem to repent of their sins, to return to the Lord. Instead, Jerusalem threw a final party before the enemy attacked. Is God calling you to repent of some sin? Are you listening?
Isaiah 21-27: Our Lord Acts
(21-25) Repeatedly in these chapters, God is referred to as the Lord of Hosts. He has all of the hosts of heaven at his command. The imagery speaks of his power and rule. How do we see his strength and sovereignty play out in these chapters?
(21-25) Four times we read that certain things will happen – for the Lord has spoken (21:17, 22:25, 24:3, 25:8). When God speaks things happen. Where else in the Bible do we see this?
God’s words define reality. What significance does this have for our identity? How we define right and wrong? Salvation? The future? The relevance of the Bible today?
(23-27) Our Lord humbles the proud in 23:9, 25:11. Why do you think God keeps repeating this theme?
Our Lord helps the poor in 25:4. How does each picture word: stronghold, shelter, shade – illustrate this truth? How has he been these things for you?
Our Lord will host people for a great feast (25:6). What does this tell you about God?
Our Lord will swallow up death forever (25:7-8, 26:19). How should this truth change our lives? How was it accomplished?
Our Lord will slay the serpent dragon (27:1, see also Revelation 12:9). How does this give you hope?
(25-26) How should we respond to our Lord’s actions according to the following verses? Based on what we have learned about God, why is each response a good response?
25:9a – Why do we struggle to do this?
26:3-4 – What will be the result?
26:8b-9a – What might this look like?
25:1 – How might you grow in this response?
Sermon Songs: Revelation 13:11-14:6
See the second beast now arise, False prophet for the Dragon
See the Lamb raised above the skies, True Prophet – God’s only Son
Choose which prophet, You will follow
Come let us follow the Lamb
The Beast fills the world with his lies, Christian – be not led astray
His false ways in pleasant disguise, Christian – walk in the Lord’s way
Read the Bible, Be discerning
Come let us follow the Lamb
To the tune of “Lo, He Comes With Clouds Descending”
Brian J. Mikul 