Scripture Reading: Isaiah 63:1-19, Isaiah 64:1-12, Micah 7:18-20, Philippians 3:18-21
A. W. Tozer is famous for saying, “What comes into our minds when we think of God is the most important thing about us.” Over the course of my life, I have come back to this statement many times. One of the things I love about Isaiah’s prophecy is that no matter how far Israel had fallen, when the prophet looked to God, he could not help but see the Lord’s steadfast love.
It reminds me of a picture hanging in my kitchen. The photo was taken on my wedding day, and it features me and my wife in a loving embrace. I’ve always loved the photo. However, a few months after our wedding, I was marveling at the picture one day when I noticed a tuft of my hair sticking straight up into the air like an antennae. Now, whenever I look at this picture, I can’t not see that silly tuft of hair.
It’s a humorous example, but that is not all unlike what was going on when Isaiah looked at God. He couldn’t not see God’s grace and mercy. Oh, that I would share that same vision, holding fast to the truth that no matter how far I have failed to live up to my end of the bargain, God’s love would never be obscured from my view.
In our text, things had gone badly for Israel. Even though God had repeatedly led them like the good shepherd He is—like a father, even—they were incapable of remaining faithful to Him. Each person has rebelled against the Lord (Isaiah 64:6–7), and it got so bad that God had become Israel’s enemy, actively fighting against them (Isaiah 63:10).
And yet, what came into Isaiah’s mind when he thought about God? Even though Israel was mired in sin and rebellion, Isaiah knew that God’s love is steadfast. His is not the kind of love that ebbs and flows. His love is not dependent on you living up to your end of the bargain and supplying something of benefit to the relationship—even though that is so true of our human relationships.
No, the steadfast love of God is binding, committed, pursuing, and unwavering. We celebrate and bear witness to this kind of love with the ideal of marriage—we stand before our family and friends and most important of all, our God, and exchange vows to commit ourselves to our partner. We bind ourselves in the love that says nothing done or said can shift it. This love—His love—is not based on performance but on that promise. That is the kind of love that Isaiah couldn’t help but see when he looked upon the Lord.
If God truly loves us with that kind of love, then there is nothing that can separate us from His love. We can be confident that He will hear us, forgive us, and redeem us.
Written by Collin Ross
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67 thoughts on "Israel’s Prayer"
Amen ❤✝️
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So good!
I love that even when God was disciplining Israel, he was doing it to show them how much he loved them. He was trying to woo them back to him.
So many good things today … the steadfast, unending love of God … He is the potter, I am the clay … God’s mercy to me … He hears and answers prayer … I am not alone
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“Yet Lord, You are our father;
we are the clay, and You are our potter;
we are all the work of Your hands.”(64:v 8).
Bend me. Mold me. Shape me.
Whatever You do, it is well.
Lord I will never be able to fully understand your love for me and others. It is beyond my comprehension and thank you for that. Lord I lift up Seth to you and pray for healing of his body. I pray that you are with every person that is on his team that you give them wisdom and your working hands. Please be with his family and give them a sense of peace that you are in control and moving.
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I’m not the best at responding to comments, but I wanted to say thank you to everyone who has lifted Seth up in prayer! He was put on the ECMO machine yesterday which is a form of life support that does the work for his heart & lungs. His oxygen dipped dangerously low & it took over an hour for it to rise again. He’s also contracted Influenza H which is highly contagious, so his family are having to wear masks to protect themselves while visiting him. Please pray for good CT scan results, wisdom for doctors/nurses, and that oxygen to his brain would increase! God bless!
Praying for Seth. Thank you for the update. ♥️
Thank you Lord for loving me even when I feel unworthy of it! I’m reminded of the song “The Blood” by Bethel Worship which says “It’s never been about performance, perfection, or striving for acceptance. Let me tell you, it’s only by the blood”. Thank you Jesus for shedding your blood for my fellow brothers and sisters!
My first time posting, however I have been encouraged by each faithful sisters ‘ response!
Not to mention the Word becoming Alive in me thru this season of Lent.
Looking forward to meeting and praising our Faithful, Loving, Merciful Saviour together in Eternity.
Shalom.
So sweet of you, SRT sister.
Shalom.
I love that in Isaiah 64:4-6 we see a God like no other.. No other God saves like YHWH. No one can stoop down and forgive like Him. Then in Micah 7:18-20 we see it again… NO GOD CAN SAVE LIKE YOU CAN YHWH! I think as I go about my day today that that phrase will stir in my spirit! May it cause repentance and turning. May it cause reconnection again with God who made me! Whew! What a good day is His word today!
Funny thing…
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Almost everything I’ve been reading over the last few days has told me of God’s love for me.
How great His love for me is!
That no matter what, He never stops loving me.
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I don’t know why I needed such a reminder?
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Maybe I have been too focused on His power, His provision…all the things I think I need from Him…
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And what I really need is His amazing Love!!
And it’s been here the whole time!
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What a blessing!
Hugs and prayers for all of you precious sisters! ❤️
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How comforting is the thought that nothing can separate us from the love of God!
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Israel sinned, greatly. We sin greatly. All our righteous acts are like filthy rags.
But God.
He acts on the behalf of all those who wait for him. We are His people, the work of His hands. He comes to help those who do right.
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Where would I be if not for the lovingkindness (hesed) of God?
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All throughout the book of Isaiah we are reminded of the sinfulness of God’s people. They needed someone to atone for their sin. They were stubborn, stiff-necked, idolaters.
..and yet, are we any different? Sin is sin and it was all our sin that sent Jesus to the cross.
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But God. He is gracious and merciful. Compassionate. He does not punish us beyond measure nor stay angry for ever. He has made a way to take down the wall that separated us from Him. He sent His Son. His perfect, sinless, Son to die on the cross – to take our place.
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Praise God for His glorious act of redemption, and for the reason that we celebrate Resurrection Sunday! Jesus died for us, He rose again – He lives!! Hallelujah, I serve a risen Savior! And because He lives, we all will one day be resurrected!
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“There is nothing that can separate us from His love. We can be confident that He will hear us, forgive us, and redeem us.” Yes and Amen!
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Thank you for all the prayers for Jonathan’s situation. He did speak with the landlord, who was “somewhat” understanding. The best case scenario, is for Jonathan to list the apartment on a particular website (that they suggested) and find someone to rent the apartment so that he can move out. Please pray he is able to find someone that can move in by the end of June.
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@R – praying God’s peace and strength as you take a break from ministry to be a care giver.
@Sam D – prayers that the numbers will come up, that you have not and will not miscarry and that you will be able to carry to full term.
@Cheryl Blow – you are seen, you are loved, and you are somebody. AND you are a princess – a child of the King!
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Blessings to each one of you today! ❤️
Thank you for the update on Jonathan. Praying all works out and he sees God’s loving hand.
I’ve been praying for Jonathan situation with his apartment, and will continue to pray that he finds someone to rent it by June.
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How beautiful that He does love us with that kind of love!
“binding, committed, pursuing, and unwavering”
Yes, Annie!
This is no ordinary love.
Despite who I am, what I’ve done there is just nothing that can separate me from the love, forgivenes, grace and mercy of our Father. And nothing I can to do earn it. It never ceases. And His faithfulness and all He has done in my life to draw me to His side is worthy of my praise. Thank you, Jesus.
‘I will make known the Lord’s faithful love and the Lord’s praiseworthy acts, because of all the Lord has done for us—even the many good things…’ Isa 63:7
I think of the song, Worthy of it All by David Brymer
You are worthy of it all
For from You are all things
And to You are all things
You deserve the glory.
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I love that song!
Yes, Wendy.
I hear Cece Winans singing it now!
Thank you God for your steadfast love. Praise be to Thee!
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His love is NOT based on performance! Thank you JESUS! Lately I’ve had this song by the late Rich Mullins on mind and have been playing it on repeat. “If I Stand” The part of the song that stands out reads: “So if I stand let me stand on the promise that you will pull me through. And if I can’t let me fall on the grace that first brought me to You.”
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These verses immediately came to mind ad U read today:
Revelation 19:13 NJJV
He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God.
14 And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses.
15 Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.
16 And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written:
KING OF KINGS AND
LORD OF LORDS.
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Are You Washed in the Blood (old hymn) comes to mind.
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Love, hugs, and prayers! ❤
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His steadfast love endures forever!
My prayer, inspired by Isaiah 63:15-19
Father,
Look down and see me. You know the places where I’m hurting, questioning, waiting. I feel Your distance, but I also remember Your nearness. You are my Father. My Redeemer. You’ve never abandoned me.
Still, my heart wanders. Sometimes I don’t even know why. I feel spiritually numb, tired, even angry at times. But I don’t want to stay like this. I want to return. I want my heart to beat in rhythm with Yours again.
Restore me—not just my circumstances, but my soul. Let me remember who I am in You. Even if I feel like a stranger to You, I know You have not forgotten me.
Come close, God. Stir Your zeal. Show compassion. Rescue me again—not because I’ve earned it, but because You are good.
In the name of Jesus, my Redeemer. Amen.
Amen, Kimberly!
Amen. Thank you Kimberly ❤️
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Thank you, Kimberly for your powerful prayer. It put words to reflect where I’m at right now. Our God is SO good! I’m grateful for His faithfulness, and yours to write.
Oh my, Kimberly!
You spoke into many a heart this morning.
Amen!
I’m so thankful for His always constant, never ending love and kindness towards us!
Father help me to always cling to Your Grace and Mercy
Amen
Amen❤️
Seems like everything I read this morning stood out to me – heartbreaking to think of my past & how I rejected God, how He loved me even then, how He forgave and saved me from myself and eternal torment. A teary morning for sure.
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A few thoughts and fragments of His word –
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God’s steadfast love! Steadfast defined as firmly fixed in place, not subject to change. No matter how I’m feeling, what I’m going through or what anyone is saying to or about me – God’s love = same as it’s always been, so don’t believe the lies. Oh, How He Loves you and me …
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– I/we need Jesus, our Savior! Isaiah 63:19 … we have become like those of old …those who were never called by Your name. Isaiah 64:5 … for we have sinned. In these ways we continue; And we need to be saved. Micah 7:18 … He does not retain His anger forever, Because He delights in mercy. Isaiah 63:1 … “I who speak in righteousness, mighty to save.”
Again, don’t believe the lies the world is telling – there are too many to list. Praying for us in our walk with the Lord.
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MICHELLE P – you’re on my mind this morning, praying for you
R – praying as you continue caregiving for your husband and for his full recovery. Thankful our sisters testimonies have been helpful and encouraging.
KRIS – good to see you, powerful comment yesterday.
SAM D – sister, praying for you in the waiting ❤️
CHERYL BLOW ❤️
WENDY B – thank you for reminding that we can live and walk in the freedom we have because of our hope in Jesus
SHARON JERSEY GIRL- praying for Jonathan’s meeting today, and that through these hard times he will turn to the Lord. Love the song, Who I Am – reading the first line brought to mind another song of a vastly different tempo, He Set Me Free.
LYNNE FROM AL – so good to see you ❤️
CEE GEE – Draw me nearer, thanks for the reminder!
DANIELLE B – praying as you return to work, all praise to the Lord for His mighty work in your life ❤️❤️❤️
SUSAN BURLEY – praying for Seth and medical team
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Prayer requests update – please keep praying for the medical teams as they continue to run tests and seek answers for both requests. The rehab transfer I mentioned yesterday has been postponed.
“God’s love = same as it’s always been, so don’t believe the lies. Oh, How He Loves you and me …” ❤️
Searching, thank you for praying for me. It is funny I saw this today, bc I havent been doing this study for Lent or keeping up with posts at all. They became too much for my current season. I hope to jump in on the study after Lent, though, and keep a good routine again.
I def needed your prayers, today. I have felt myself in a vulnerable place emotionally for a few weeks and the cafe/work has def been changing day to day… always something new to navigate and pray through.
God bless you and thank you so much for the shout out. That makes me feel seen by the Lord. <3 hope you are well.
Isaiah 63:7
“I will make known the Lord’s faithful love
and the Lord’s praiseworthy acts,
because of all the Lord has done for us—
even the many good things
he has done for the house of Israel,
which he did for them based on his compassion
and the abundance of his faithful love.”
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“God’s love is steadfast. His is not the kind of love that ebbs and flows. His love is not dependent on you living up to your end of the bargain and supplying something of benefit to the relationship” Amen, Collin Ross. Thank you.
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SAM D. – praying you have peace as you wait for further tests and the results. The Lord is with you.
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R – Praying for you and your husband as you navigate this season of reordered priorities. May the Lord fill you both with His wisdom and patience.
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SEARCHING – praying for YOU during this tax season that you get sound sleep and productive days.
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SHARON, JERSEY GIRL – prayers the Jonathan sees God at work with his meeting today.
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Love your shares! ❤❤❤
Praying for both patients and families as well as the medical personnel!
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Thank you for your prayers Kelly!
Amen✝️
“He does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in His steadfast love.” Thank You Father, for Your love. Please help me to love others as You love me. Amen ❤️
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As we continue to soak in the amazing grace and mercy of God through Isaiah’s book, what came to mind this morning Ladies, is oh how we will see it in its most full expression when we gaze on the cross of Jesus next week.
Amazing love, how can it be!?!
Hallelujah what a Savior!
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Yes, Sally.
The Cross = The Full Expression.
I love this Collin Ross, Thank you!
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That bit of hair… Really.:) I bet the photo is still a picture of pure joy and happiness, love and hope in a life together with your beloved..
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I felt a freeing reading the devotional this morning..
I do know of Gods love for me, and I know He is never far away, but I’ll tell you something, today my heart felt peace in a way I have not felt before.. Or in a long time!
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The journey to this point, this day, this moment has been a rollercoaster, shall I say ‘of discovery’ . I mean, if you had known me before, I was not a terrible person, but Let’s just say, I broke some rules, I ventured into places I shouldn’t have, though I did not truly know the LORD as I do now, I knew it was wrong, sinful and just not right! I still did, anyways!
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BUT GOD..
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As I sit here with my eyes welling, I know now, without a shadow of doubt that through the stupidity, and sinful actions He still loved me. He even blessed me, and often too! He just did not like my sin!
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Why?
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Because I am His Beloved, and He only sees me as me, Christiana, fearfully and wonderfully made in His image. His commitment to me is binding, and His pursuit of me is unwavering, because of His love for me.
He has always wanted the best for me.
My sins, however, are the cause of His heartbreak and angst! His despair, and maybe even disappointment. I don’t and wouldn’t blame Him, as I have not been the best person.
Thankfully, knowing now, that I am loved beyond words and perhaps in an as close to the truth of this love, the word may be Agape..(Greek). I can not describe this love, but I can tell you, that tears roll at the thought of how much I am loved.
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BUT GOD..
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Each and every day shows His unfailing love, in ways that often have me on my knees, have me praising, have me in awe..
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ME.. LOVED.. THIS
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Father God, thank you. Thank you. Thank you..
I cannot fathom, believe, or understand the depth, breadth, height of your love, BUT, I am so very thankful, so very thankful for it!
LORD, I pray that as you love me, I may change my ways to be more I in line with you and your desire for me to be closer to you in all I do, say and am..
Forever thankful for YOU, and YOUR gift of Jesus, who made a way for me to recognise and hope in your love.. Thank you Father God, thank you..
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AMEN..
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Praying today is as much blessed as each of you are a blessing to me..
MUCH love covered in prayers and wrapped in hugs..❤❤❤
Same here, sister, a past of stupidity and sinful actions. Forgiven, saved and forever thankful for our Lord!
O, so true, Tina, of all of us. BUT GOD is greater, greater than all our sin.
Oh Tina…..I too have those thoughts of things from my past, lots! Sigh…BUT GOD. OUR GOD. And relate when you said that if we had known you (me) before, you (I) were not a terrible person, but I too broke some rules that caused some heartbreak and down right feeling so bad, BUT OUR GOD… Our sweet Jesus has already forgiven us! I’m so THANKFUL for you Tina and others here who are so “real” and tell it like it is! We were all sinful in need of a Savior! So thankful God made a way for all of us to gather here to learn from each other, grow, cry, vent…. and some day we will all meet and no longer need to send hugs across the pond.
Yes! Thank you for sharing. Amen ❤️
Yes and Amen to all you said Tina! And you are a blessing to us all! ❤️
Your words are a blessing to me today, Tina ❤️