Do you know the story of sleeping beauty? A princess has been held captive by a sorceress who has used magic to end her into a deep sleep. Only her prince can wake her with a kiss. Sometimes it can seem that God’s people have been enchanted into slumber. It certainly seemed that way in… Continue reading Wake up and look up
Tag: Lent
Not forgotten
We may be tempted at times to think that God has forgotten us. There are two pieces of strong evidence here that he has not. First, that God did not forget or turn his back on his people. Secondly, that God did not forget or forsake Jesus. Read Isaiah 49 -50 Israel sings as God’s… Continue reading Not forgotten
Refined
A refiner’s fire removes all of the dross and waste material so that only the precious materials are left. Israel and Judah experienced God’s refining work through their suffering and captivity so that all of their false worship and shallow claims were removed leaving behind only true worship. That’s what God does with us too,… Continue reading Refined
Idolatry is foolish
The things we fear and the things we trust are the things that become our idols. Because idolatry holds that captive power over us, the Bible treats it as not just something morally wrong but as something foolish, something to ridicule. The aim is that as we learn to laugh at our idols and at… Continue reading Idolatry is foolish
Rescuer
A dominant theme throughout Isaiah is the Exodus, just as Israel had been slaves in Egypt, so too, they would be exiles in Assyria, Babylon and Persia. Just as God had brought them up out of Egypt, so too, he would come to their aid, deliver them and lead them home. Read Isaiah 43-45 In… Continue reading Rescuer
Servant
At times, the way Christians speak about issues, and sadly the experience some have had of pastoral care suggest at best a carelessness to the most fragile and hurting amongst us. It’s not mant to be like that. Read Isaiah 42 God points to one coming and encourages the people to “behold”, see or watch… Continue reading Servant
comforter
Can we really depend upon God and trust him. Is it really true that we do not have to be worried and anxious about our circumstances? Isaiah 40 looks forward beyond the judgement coming upon Judah to a day when sin will be forgiven and the fortunes of God’s people restored bringing peace and comfort.… Continue reading comforter
Deliverer
Could things have turned out different for Judah? Well, a major turning point seems to hinge on the life of one king, Hezekiah. He was in the main, godly, seeking the Lord, wise and successful. However, the events in chapters 36-39 sum up his life, what he got right and where pride and complacency became… Continue reading Deliverer
When the desert blooms
We are now coming to the end of the first part of the book. Isaiah 35 is like the big song at the end of the first half. There will be a kind of interlude, an interruption to tell some of the story of what is going on in Isaiah’s day through the next few… Continue reading When the desert blooms
Judgement Day
How do we react to what Scripture has to say about judgement, not just the historic judgement of Israel or even the discipline we go through but also what Scripture has to say about God’s judgement on sin and evil, what it has to say about eternal judgement and hell. Read Isaiah 34 It’s judgement… Continue reading Judgement Day
Faithroots 