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Isaiah 52:13-57:21<\/strong><\/span> Isaiah chapter 53 is one of the most powerful chapters of the Bible \u2013 and one of the saddest to really meditate upon.\u00a0 Isaiah chapter 53 is all about Jesus!\u00a0 This is a powerful chapter to read\u2026\u00a0 I\u2019m sure you likely caught that this chapter was about Jesus when you first read it, but if not, please re-read the chapter again and do you see how Isaiah is prophesying Jesus\u2019 passion and death?\u00a0 It is astounding to realize these words of Isaiah\u2019s were written in 8th century B.C.\u00a0 Verse 5 tells us: \u201cBut he was wounded and crushed for our sins. He was beaten that we might have peace. He was whipped, and we were healed!\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 Do you believe that the words of Isaiah\u2019s in chapter 53 today are about Jesus?\u00a0 Do you believe that Jesus was wounded and crushed for your sins?\u00a0 Was he beaten that you might have peace?\u00a0 Are you healed because Jesus was whipped and then murdered on a cross?<\/span> Verse 7: \u201cHe was oppressed and treated harshly, yet he never said a word. He was led as a lamb to the slaughter. And as a sheep is silent before the shearers, he did not open his mouth.\u201d<\/em><\/span> Verse 8: \u201cFrom prison and trial they led him away to his death. But who among the people realized that he was dying for their sins\u2013that he was suffering their punishment?\u201d<\/em><\/span> Bible.org\u2019s commentary on today\u2019s readings in Isaiah chapter 53 titled \u201cThe Triumph of the Suffering Servant\u201d <\/strong>is <\/span>at this link<\/span>.\u00a0 Below is a great image for Isaiah 53:6 from today\u2019s readings:<\/span> Today we read Isaiah chapter 55, which is one of my favorite chapters in the Bible! I went to a wedding several years ago in Napa, California and God led me to a church in that town on a Sunday morning where the pastor preached an incredible sermon from Isaiah 55.\u00a0 It is a beautiful chapter for all of us who are Thirsty. Let us drink deeply of God\u2019s Word today!\u00a0 Verse 1 tells us \u2013 \u201cIs anyone thirsty? Come and drink\u2013even if you have no money!\u201d\u00a0 <\/em>Are you drinking freely of the Bible this year?\u00a0 Even if you have no money, do you believe that God is inviting you to drink deeply of his True and Holy Water, His Word?\u00a0 Are you thirsty?<\/span><\/p>\n Verse 6 is fantastic\u2026 Will you seek? Will you call?<\/span><\/p>\n In verses 10-12 we read:<\/span><\/p>\n \u201c10 As the rain and the snow How do these above verses resonate with you, based on our One Year Bible readings? Particularly verse 11 above \u2013 is God\u2019s Word accomplishing something in you this year through reading the Bible each day? Is the Bible \u201cwatering\u201d you? Are you Thirsty? Do you feel that you are going out in joy and being led forth in peace? Have the mountains and hills burst into song before you?\u00a0 Are the trees of the field clapping their hands in your life today?<\/span><\/p>\n Bible.org\u2019s commentary on today\u2019s readings in Isaiah chapter 55 titled \u201cGod\u2019s Exhortation to Receive His Grace\u201d<\/strong> is <\/span>at this link<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n Today in Isaiah chapter 57 verses 20 & 21 we have a chance to think about that sometimes elusive word \u201cpeace\u201d: \u201c\u201dBut those who still reject me are like the restless sea. It is never still but continually churns up mire and dirt. There is no peace for the wicked,\u201d says my God.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 I don\u2019t know about you, but I know I have gone through many days of my life without true peace \u2013 and many days with true peace.\u00a0 And I do honestly believe that there is no peace in our lives apart from God.\u00a0 When we live our lives solely for our own selfish motives, we live a very chaotic un-restful un-peaceful life I believe.\u00a0 But, when we turn our lives over to God, when we embrace God, when we love God, and when we are obedient to God\u2019s will for our lives, we come to know true peace!\u00a0 And it is indeed a peace that surpasses all understanding.\u00a0 I pray that each of us is walking in the light of God\u2019s peace this very day.\u00a0 And tomorrow.\u00a0 And the next day.\u00a0 Please, don\u2019t ever step out of the peace of God and back into the chaos of living for yourself.\u00a0 I know this can seem to be a glib saying at first glance, but there\u2019s a whole lot of truth to this one:<\/span><\/p>\n Bible.org\u2019s commentary on today\u2019s readings in Isaiah chapter 57 titled \u201cGod\u2019s Condemnation or God\u2019s Comfort\u201d<\/strong> is <\/span>at this link<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n Worship Video:\u00a0 <\/strong>I\u2019m sure many of you have heard on K-LOVE \u201cBy His Wounds\u201d by Mac Powell, Mark Hall, Steven Curtis Chapman and Brian Littrell. This song is based on Isaiah 53 verse 5 from today\u2019s readings. It is a beautiful song about our beautiful Savior Jesus. Here\u2019s a live version of the song:<\/span><\/p>\n \n
~ Click here to read today\u2019s Scripture on Bible Gateway ~<\/span><\/em>
~ Listen to today\u2019s Scripture with <\/em>The ESV Bible<\/em><\/span> ~<\/p>\n
come down from heaven,
and do not return to it
without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,
so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
11 so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
12 You will go out in joy
and be led forth in peace;
the mountains and hills
will burst into song before you,
and all the trees of the field
will clap their hands.\u201d<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n