A scripture I have leaned upon my entire life of ministry has been Isaiah 26:3. “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.”

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve quoted that verse to my situation. Through the years I’ve been the director of MANY church programs, events, and services. When my mind would begin spinning with so many details and pressures to reconcile, I would lean on that quote from the prophet, and I would instantly find the peace God offers because I would simply, yet profoundly trust Him. Here I am, nearly 70 years old, and I don’t even have one worry … thanks to the Lord Who gives me His perfect peace.

READ: Is. 25-27

Through Isaiah’s prophecies, God revealed His plans for nations, cities,and leaders. It’s as if God is playing this massive chess game with the motive of revealing His power and love to mankind … that their lives and destinies will go well if they follow His ways and destructive if they insist on their own way.

The entire Old Testament points to Christ and the eternal life and salvation that is available through Him. Scripture refers to God’s plan … that Christ, planned before the foundations of the earth, was to be the Lamb slain for the sins of men.

As scripture points to God’s plan for redemption, so should our lives. We are living witnesses to the saving power of Christ Jesus.

READ: Is. 20-24

Scripture addresses people groups as if they were one person. Their characteristic social orders, geographic differences, and moral records are all considered as God responds to their spiritual well-being.

People groups assume (inherit) the attitudes and traditions of their forefathers. God then deals with them accordingly. Missionaries are wise to learn these cultures to effetively witness to them.

It must be recognized that God is not willing “That any perish.” The Gospel must be preached to them all. Wise Christians carry a burden to see this mission accomplished. God calls and sends missionaries, and we have the privilege of supporting them with our finances.

READ: Is. 15-19

Satan’s status is described in Isaiah 14. A glaring characteristic is his ambition … “I will ascend … I will raise my throne … I will sit enthroned … I will make myself like the Most High.” [Is. 14:13,14]

Conversely, David, whose heart was after the Lord’s, said, “Promotion doesn’t come from the east, south, or west … it comes from the Lord.”

The healthiest posture is to do everything heartily as unto the Lord and allow Him to promote you. If you take it to yourself, any man can take it away. If God gives it to you, no man can take it away.

READ: Is. 13,14

Isaiah refers to events of a revival nature as being “That Day.” He describes a sovereign move of God whereby the wicked schemes of men are exposed and a true awakening of Godly values prevails.  The Righteous Branch from the roots of Jesse (Jesus) will be exalted.

Our nation seems to be experiencing a social and political upheaval similar to the late 60s. Demonstrations, unrest, and the unsettled moral climate of our nation may be followed by a national spiritual awakening similar to the Jesus movement of the early 70s.

“The earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.” [Is. 11:9b]

READ: Is. 10-12

To Isaiah was given the clearest and most profound prophecies of the coming Messiah. God’s ability to inspire him and write the future through his pen is awe inspiring.

David said, “My tongue is the pen of a ready writer.” His songs carried the same divine inspiration. He, too, spoke of the Great Shepherd of Israel Who was to come. [Ps. 22]

Today, Christians can continue to let God’s voice be heard in the land by remaining faithful to consistently hearing God’s Word through daily devotions and its preaching in the local church. Our lives are the only Bible some people read.

READ: Is. 7-9

Isaiah spoke of God’s vineyard which was the nation of Israel. However, His people yielded bad fruit and He pronounced judgement upon them.

During my trip to Israel, it became apparent that the Muslims are more open to the Gospel than the Jews are. Nevertheless, God’s love through Christ continues to extend to them.

We continue to pray as we are instructed … “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.” (It is a city of unrest and REALLY NEEDS PRAYER.) And, we share the Gospel to those whose hearts are open.

READ: Isaiah 4-6

There is a prevailing sense of God’s great power and judgement when reading the prophet Isaiah. He shared a forward-looking perspective that incited fear in the sinner and hope in the saint. His message brings the reader’s focus back to God’s just nature and omnipotence … protect the fatherless and widow, don’t trust in idols to save you, earthly armies are powerless before His might.

Through Christ, we enter into a rest and trust which keeps us secure against any fear of the future. Jesus is our Prince of Peace.

READ: Isaiah 1-3

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Even after His resurrection, Jesus appeared to His disciples many times to prove that death has no power over those who believe in Him. He gave them power to heal and forgive … and it was all made available through His name.

The New Testament Christian is thereby challenged to effectively and liberally use the name of Jesus to promote resurrection life and power even though He ascended to the Father nearly 2000 years ago.

There’s Life in Jesus’ name.

READ:  John 20

Isaiah 53:5 is one of the key scriptures of our faith: “But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.”

On my recent trip to Israel, our group visited the dungeons where Christ was probably held and beaten before His crucifixion, and the olive garden where He sweat drops of blood. He was a real man and fully felt every excruciating pain inflicted upon Him. Such suffering … and yet we now rejoice that He suffered to purchase our redemption. We have peace with the Father. We have healing for our sins and our bodies.

To such a Savior, how can we give less than EVERYTHING WE HAVE.

PRAYER: Father, forgive us for taking so lightly what Christ has done to save us from our sin. By Your grace, we want to give You all we have.