He redeems. He is with us. We are His. He is our Savior. He paid the price. He loves us. We are chosen. He is Lord. He is the creator. He makes things new. He provides. He helps us. He is king. He is the one true God. He is our rock. He formed us. He forgives. He completes. He is life.
19 Behold, I am doing a new thing;
now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?
I will make a way in the wilderness
and rivers in the desert. – Isaiah 43:19
There are often many who ask “who is God?” As though it is impossible to answer. But by His grace He has revealed himself in His Word. In detail and in glory. In ch 43-44 of Isaiah he tells us he is our Redeemer, our Savior, our Maker, our Lord, our God, our King, LORD of hosts, first and last, the only god. He is God who made all things and helps us and blots out our transgressions.
20I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. 21For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.
43:21 The people I formed for Myself will declare My praise. 22 “BUT Jacob, you have not called on Me, because, Israel, you have become weary of Me…”
As so much here in this chapter is positive and God coming through for his people, we can’t ignore the big “BUT…” here: God wants to be exclusive in our lives. We can’t just claim that he’ll be with us in the flood & fire and use Him as a go-to or good luck charm for the hard times, quoting all the happy verses to make us feel good. He wants to be our ONLY source of salvation–for OT Israel, for US today–this involves calling out to Him, wearying ourselves for Him, making offerings, and giving our lives as a living SACRIFICE (Romans 12). Instead, the people burdened the Lord with their sins and wearied Him with their offenses (Is 43:24).
Oh let us be a people that cries out to our One True God as He deserves and demands, holding nothing back from Him, growing daily closer to Him in an attitude of humility and reverent awe, not seeking His blessings without seeking His holiness & character.
Yes! Yes! This is on my heart so much lately! And I couldn’t say it so clearly! I have missed your notes and voice here Sarah! I have also been praying for you and your family!
19 for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, 20 as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. 24 But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.
This stood out the most to me in todays reading: 22-24 “But you didn’t pay a bit of attention to me, Jacob.
You so quickly tired of me, Israel.
You wouldn’t even bring sheep for offerings in worship.
You couldn’t be bothered with sacrifices.
It wasn’t that I asked that much from you.
I didn’t expect expensive presents.
But you didn’t even do the minimum —
so stingy with me, so closefisted.
Yet you haven’t been stingy with your sins.
You’ve been plenty generous with them — and I’m fed up.”
Sometimes we don’t even bother to give God the minimum… It really spoke to me because I think it’s true in my life. If I think about it what I strive for is the minimum, but I want that to change. I don’t want to just checking off my list (of minimums) of ways to please God today, most just to my own benefit. —- And the big question on my mind is how does it look like to bring him more, gifts… Maybe not “expensive” but whole hearted gifts. That’s what I want to do. Help me Lord, help me find a way to do that.
Angie, I’m right there with you! When I started this plan yesterday it took about 10 mins before I started telling myself I don’t have time for this plan or the dedication. Fighting off those thoughts and giving the Lord the time He deserves in my life.
I had similar thoughts as I read Philippians- Paul saw his primary purpose for remaining on earth as being for the benefit of others…..v23 But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better; 24 yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake.” I guess God’s purpose for each of us works itself out in different ways and through our different personalities (we are not all like Paul), but Paul’s single mindedness and focus on the purposes of God make me question and think about what gets my attention each day.
I am starting a study of Isaiah with my husband and learned that Isaiah has three themes that are repeated and developed throughout the book: 1) judgement, 2) comfort and 3) hope. All three elements are present in nearly every chapter, however the themes can be divided by chapter as well: 1) messages of Judgement chapters 1-39, 2) messages of Comfort chapters 40-55, and 3) messages of Hope chapters 56-66.
Leah – I learned about the themes from my Zondervan NIV/Message Parallel Bible. The book I ordered for the Isaiah study with my husband is Crossway’s Knowing the Bible Isaiah by Drew Hunter.
3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
9 remember the former things of old;
for I am God, and there is no other;
I am God, and there is none like me,
This is one of those days where I wanted to underline almost every word in our reading! So good…and struggling through Isaiah made today even more rewarding. And Philippians? What a great parallel to read..promises in the past to Paul living it out? So good. My reflection today is: Phil 1:27 Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel
Years ago, we heard a song in church that was based on those verses, but I haven’t been able to find it in a long time. It’s comforting to know that God is with us in all circumstances.
Suzanne, I don’t know if it’s translated from English or written originally in French, but we sing a song with those exact lyrics! It’s called “Ne Crains Rien” (Fear Not).
Have to say that Isaiah has been hard for me, but the past few days…WOW! So beautiful is the love our God has for us as his chosen people! I love how today’s reading began…1 But now, this is what the Lord says— he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
He redeems. He is with us. We are His. He is our Savior. He paid the price. He loves us. We are chosen. He is Lord. He is the creator. He makes things new. He provides. He helps us. He is king. He is the one true God. He is our rock. He formed us. He forgives. He completes. He is life.
❤️
❤️
❤️
19 Behold, I am doing a new thing;
now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?
I will make a way in the wilderness
and rivers in the desert. – Isaiah 43:19
❤️
✝️
11I, I am the Lord,
and besides me there is no savior.
✅
As a small group leader, I pray that being with my girls their “joy in Christ will overflow on account of me” like Paul!
11I, I am the Lord,
and besides me there is no savior.
There are often many who ask “who is God?” As though it is impossible to answer. But by His grace He has revealed himself in His Word. In detail and in glory. In ch 43-44 of Isaiah he tells us he is our Redeemer, our Savior, our Maker, our Lord, our God, our King, LORD of hosts, first and last, the only god. He is God who made all things and helps us and blots out our transgressions.
20I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. 21For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.
6“This is what the Lord says— Israel’s King and Redeemer, the Lord Almighty: I am the first and I am the last; apart from me there is no God.
43:21 The people I formed for Myself will declare My praise. 22 “BUT Jacob, you have not called on Me, because, Israel, you have become weary of Me…”
As so much here in this chapter is positive and God coming through for his people, we can’t ignore the big “BUT…” here: God wants to be exclusive in our lives. We can’t just claim that he’ll be with us in the flood & fire and use Him as a go-to or good luck charm for the hard times, quoting all the happy verses to make us feel good. He wants to be our ONLY source of salvation–for OT Israel, for US today–this involves calling out to Him, wearying ourselves for Him, making offerings, and giving our lives as a living SACRIFICE (Romans 12). Instead, the people burdened the Lord with their sins and wearied Him with their offenses (Is 43:24).
Oh let us be a people that cries out to our One True God as He deserves and demands, holding nothing back from Him, growing daily closer to Him in an attitude of humility and reverent awe, not seeking His blessings without seeking His holiness & character.
Yes! Yes! This is on my heart so much lately! And I couldn’t say it so clearly! I have missed your notes and voice here Sarah! I have also been praying for you and your family!
Thank you, AnnieB. I am doing fine–just working a LOT, & my sister’s family is well also. :)
Good news!! Thanking Jesus!
Thank you SarahMay, that is so true. I am copying and pasting your comment into my notes. I definitely need to reflect more on that.
19 for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, 20 as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. 24 But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.
I just feel so much better reading this
This was such an encouragement to me today at 11:59pm. Knowing that He is the Lord our God and he sees us and knows exactly what we are going through.
This stood out the most to me in todays reading: 22-24 “But you didn’t pay a bit of attention to me, Jacob.
You so quickly tired of me, Israel.
You wouldn’t even bring sheep for offerings in worship.
You couldn’t be bothered with sacrifices.
It wasn’t that I asked that much from you.
I didn’t expect expensive presents.
But you didn’t even do the minimum —
so stingy with me, so closefisted.
Yet you haven’t been stingy with your sins.
You’ve been plenty generous with them — and I’m fed up.”
Sometimes we don’t even bother to give God the minimum… It really spoke to me because I think it’s true in my life. If I think about it what I strive for is the minimum, but I want that to change. I don’t want to just checking off my list (of minimums) of ways to please God today, most just to my own benefit. —- And the big question on my mind is how does it look like to bring him more, gifts… Maybe not “expensive” but whole hearted gifts. That’s what I want to do. Help me Lord, help me find a way to do that.
Yes Angie!! I’m with you!
Angie, I’m right there with you! When I started this plan yesterday it took about 10 mins before I started telling myself I don’t have time for this plan or the dedication. Fighting off those thoughts and giving the Lord the time He deserves in my life.
I had similar thoughts as I read Philippians- Paul saw his primary purpose for remaining on earth as being for the benefit of others…..v23 But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better; 24 yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake.” I guess God’s purpose for each of us works itself out in different ways and through our different personalities (we are not all like Paul), but Paul’s single mindedness and focus on the purposes of God make me question and think about what gets my attention each day.
I love that God calls us by name and claims us as His own! Is 43:1
Philippians*
Phillipians was wonderful today
18 “Remember not the former things,
nor consider the things of old.
Such beauty and power and truth in today’s reading!
I am starting a study of Isaiah with my husband and learned that Isaiah has three themes that are repeated and developed throughout the book: 1) judgement, 2) comfort and 3) hope. All three elements are present in nearly every chapter, however the themes can be divided by chapter as well: 1) messages of Judgement chapters 1-39, 2) messages of Comfort chapters 40-55, and 3) messages of Hope chapters 56-66.
That’s awesome Kendall! What resource are you using for the study?
Leah – I learned about the themes from my Zondervan NIV/Message Parallel Bible. The book I ordered for the Isaiah study with my husband is Crossway’s Knowing the Bible Isaiah by Drew Hunter.
13 Also henceforth I am he;
there is none who can deliver from my hand;
I work, and who can turn it back?”
Man, hows that for a promise!
3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
9 remember the former things of old;
for I am God, and there is no other;
I am God, and there is none like me,
Some of my favorite passages!
This is one of those days where I wanted to underline almost every word in our reading! So good…and struggling through Isaiah made today even more rewarding. And Philippians? What a great parallel to read..promises in the past to Paul living it out? So good. My reflection today is: Phil 1:27 Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel
Happy Saturday!
Wow Philippians is so instructive and encouraging!! “I am in chains for Christ”
So good! I love seeing God’s tender heart and steadfast love!
Years ago, we heard a song in church that was based on those verses, but I haven’t been able to find it in a long time. It’s comforting to know that God is with us in all circumstances.
Suzanne, we sing a song called “Be Not Afraid” based on this passage – so renewing!
Suzanne, I don’t know if it’s translated from English or written originally in French, but we sing a song with those exact lyrics! It’s called “Ne Crains Rien” (Fear Not).
Have to say that Isaiah has been hard for me, but the past few days…WOW! So beautiful is the love our God has for us as his chosen people! I love how today’s reading began…1 But now, this is what the Lord says— he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
Totally!! And I have read this before but not in the context of reading Isaiah straight through. It feels so much more rich and meaningful!