Remember, Remember!
Opening Prayer
Heavenly Father, I know that Your purposes are right and good. I will seek to walk in step with the Spirit today.
Read Isaiah 51:1-16
[1] “Listen to me, you who pursue righteousness and who seek the LORD: Look to the rock from which you were cut and to the quarry from which you were hewn; [2] look to Abraham, your father, and to Sarah, who gave you birth. When I called him he was only one man, and I blessed him and made him many. [3] The LORD will surely comfort Zion and will look with compassion on all her ruins; he will make her deserts like Eden, her wastelands like the garden of the LORD. Joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and the sound of singing. [4] “Listen to me, my people; hear me, my nation: Instruction will go out from me; my justice will become a light to the nations. [5] My righteousness draws near speedily, my salvation is on the way, and my arm will bring justice to the nations. The islands will look to me and wait in hope for my arm. [6] Lift up your eyes to the heavens, look at the earth beneath; the heavens will vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment and its inhabitants die like flies. But my salvation will last forever, my righteousness will never fail. [7] “Hear me, you who know what is right, you people who have taken my instruction to heart: Do not fear the reproach of mere mortals or be terrified by their insults. [8] For the moth will eat them up like a garment; the worm will devour them like wool. But my righteousness will last forever, my salvation through all generations.” [9] Awake, awake, arm of the LORD, clothe yourself with strength! Awake, as in days gone by, as in generations of old. Was it not you who cut Rahab to pieces, who pierced that monster through? [10] Was it not you who dried up the sea, the waters of the great deep, who made a road in the depths of the sea so that the redeemed might cross over? [11] Those the LORD has rescued will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away. [12] “I, even I, am he who comforts you. Who are you that you fear mere mortals, human beings who are but grass, [13] that you forget the LORD your Maker, who stretches out the heavens and who lays the foundations of the earth, that you live in constant terror every day because of the wrath of the oppressor, who is bent on destruction? For where is the wrath of the oppressor? [14] The cowering prisoners will soon be set free; they will not die in their dungeon, nor will they lack bread. [15] For I am the LORD your God, who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar- the LORD Almighty is his name. [16] I have put my words in your mouth and covered you with the shadow of my hand- I who set the heavens in place, who laid the foundations of the earth, and who say to Zion, ‘You are my people.'” Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
Rejoice in the joy of the "ransomed of the Lord" (11).God, through Isaiah, now calls to the remnant of his people who have stayed focused on him, who seek him and have not abandoned him. They are to listen and look back and remember (1,2). God has been faithful to his people in the past and they must not lose hope now. There is joy ahead (3)! Yet again the reach of salvation is described as being universal; God’s actions are a light to all the nations (4,5). The effect of salvation is for eternity (6). Because of this, God’s people are to be encouraged and courageous, not fearing the mockery of others. The eager and excited response of God’s people to his promises is “Do it now!” (9-11). Look again at verses 12-16 to see God’s response to their urgent prayer. In all of life’s uncertainties it is vital to have something firm and sure to hold on to. When our trust in God wobbles, it is good to remember all he has done as recorded in the Bible and as we experience in our own lives. Hope can be rekindled as we remember.
Apply
Think about God’s involvement in your life and all the ways he expresses his faithfulness to you. Express your gratitude to him.
Closing prayer
Lord Jesus, I desire to have a faith that rejoices in You when I suffer for You.
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