The LORD has Comforted His People 1.[v.8-12] His Covenant People: “I will keep you and give you as a covenant to the people” A.[v.8-9a] Comfort through Freedom: “saying to the prisoners, ‘Come out,’ to those who are in darkness, ‘Appear’ B.[v.9b-12] Comfort through Provision and Providence: “they shall not hunger or thirst… for he who has pity on them will lead them, and by springs of water will guide them. And I will make all my mountains a road, and my highways shall be raised up” 2.[v.13-14] His Doubting People: “The LORD has forsaken me; my Lord has forgotten me” 3.[v.15-18] His Beloved People: “Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands” The LORD has Comforted His People (ISAIAH 49:8-18) Pause & Reflect
8 Thus says the Lord: “In a time of favor I have answered you; in a day of salvation I have helped you; I will keep you and give you as a covenant to the people, to establish the land, to apportion the desolate heritages, 9 saying to the prisoners, ‘Come out,’ to those who are in darkness, ‘Appear.’ They shall feed along the ways; on all bare heights shall be their pasture; 10 they shall not hunger or thirst, neither scorching wind nor sun shall strike them, for he who has pity on them will lead them, and by springs of water will guide them. 11 And I will make all my mountains a road, and my highways shall be raised up. 12 Behold, these shall come from afar, and behold, these from the north and from the west, and these from the land of Syene.”
13 Sing for joy, O heavens, and exult, O earth; break forth, O mountains, into singing! For the Lord has comforted his people and will have compassion on his afflicted. 14 But Zion said, “The Lord has forsaken me; my Lord has forgotten me.”
15 “Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you. 16 Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are continually before me. 17 Your builders make haste; your destroyers and those who laid you waste go out from you. 18 Lift up your eyes around and see; they all gather, they come to you. As I live, declares the Lord, you shall put them all on as an ornament; you shall bind them on as a bride does.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. (Psalm 23:4) This is my comfort in my affliction, that your promise gives me life. (Psalm 119:50) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer. Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort. (2 Corinthians 1:3-7) Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me. I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world. (John 16:32-33) Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. (1 Peter 4:12-13) Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10) The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all. (Psalm 34:18-19) The central truth of this word was – We are a people of the LORD’s covenant – not of our changing circumstances. When we look to God’s unbreakable unchanging covenant promise of Jesus Christ and what He did to achieve our comfort, we too can be comforted as Jesus was to finish the will of the LORD as servants of the LORD. Although we are prone to doubt, God rescues us from our confusion by showing us the palms of His engraved hands with our name – the nail-scared hands of Jesus as a reminder that our names are forever in the Lamb’s book of life (Revelation 3:5; 21:27; Luke 10:20) and He is forever with us. His compassion and comfort cannot compare with the attention of a mother nursing her child. Son/daughter of God, the LORD has comforted you! Wear the ornament of His comfort daily. Lift up your eyes, sing for joy, because your mountain is becoming a highway into His comfort! He has not forsaken you, nor forgotten you! – *How has the LORD spoken to you today through this? Holy Spirit Moment Take a moment to invite the Holy Spirit to fill you, and pray. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (1 THESSALONIANS 5:16-18) …do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (PHILIPPIANS 4:6-7)
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You are My Servant 1. [v.1-5] Servant to Master: “The LORD called me…” A.[v.1-3] Equipped for the Master: “He made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of his hand he hid me” B.[v.4-5] Strengthened by the Master to Overcome Discouragement: “ ‘I have labored in vain… yet surely my right is with the LORD… my God has become my strength” 2. [v.6-7] Master to Servant: “It is too light a thing that you should be my servant…” A.[v.6] The Mission to His Divine Servant: “I will make you as a light for the nations… may reach to the end of the earth” B.[v.7] The Worship of His Chosen Servant: “they shall prostrate themselves… the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen you” You are My Servant (ISAIAH 49:1-7) Pause & Reflect
1 Listen to me, O coastlands, and give attention, you peoples from afar. The Lord called me from the womb, from the body of my mother he named my name. 2 He made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of his hand he hid me; he made me a polished arrow; in his quiver he hid me away. 3 And he said to me, “You are my servant, Israel, in whom I will be glorified.”
4 But I said, “I have labored in vain; I have spent my strength for nothing and vanity; yet surely my right is with the Lord, and my recompense with my God.” 5 And now the Lord says, he who formed me from the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob back to him; and that Israel might be gathered to him— for I am honored in the eyes of the Lord, and my God has become my strength--
6 he says: “It is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to bring back the preserved of Israel; I will make you as a light for the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.” 7 Thus says the Lord, the Redeemer of Israel and his Holy One, to one deeply despised, abhorred by the nation, the servant of rulers: “Kings shall see and arise; princes, and they shall prostrate themselves; because of the Lord, who is faithful, the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen you.”
Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. (Philippians 2:5-7) But not so with you. Rather, let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves. (Luke 22:26) And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.” (Mark 9:35) The greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. (Matthew 23:11-12) If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him. (John 12:26) For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45) Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. (Romans 12:11) Knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. (Colossians 3:24) The central truth of this word was – You are servants, not kings. The sin within us will always take the position of kings. Yet if even the King of kings took the position of a servant, how much more should we? A servant has no rights except what the Master grants. A servant has no identity except who he/she belongs to – which Master has ownership. A servant does back-bending work day and night without complaint at the Master’s instruction. Every good and faithful servant is rewarded (Matthew 25:14-30), not by their work but by His grace (Matthew 18:21-35). Blessed are the servants who stay awake (Luke 12:35-48)! Blessed are the servants who say they are unworthy and have only done their duty (Luke 17:7-10). Are you His servant, or are you still your own king? – *How has the LORD spoken to you today through this? Holy Spirit Moment Take a moment to invite the Holy Spirit to fill you, and pray. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (1 THESSALONIANS 5:16-18) …do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (PHILIPPIANS 4:6-7) Peace Like a River 1.[v.12-16] The Presence of Peace: “Listen to me… I am the first, and I am the last… The LORD loves him; He shall perform His purpose… now the LORD God has sent me, and His Spirit” 2.[v.17-19] The Potential for Peace: “Oh that you had paid attention to my commandments! Then your peace would have been like a river, and your righteousness like the waves of the sea” 3.[v.20-22] The Promise in Peace: “They did not thirst when he led them through the deserts” Peace Like a River (ISAIAH 48:12-22) Pause & Reflect
12 “Listen to me, O Jacob, and Israel, whom I called! I am he; I am the first, and I am the last. 13 My hand laid the foundation of the earth, and my right hand spread out the heavens; when I call to them, they stand forth together. 14 “Assemble, all of you, and listen! Who among them has declared these things? The Lord loves him; he shall perform his purpose on Babylon, and his arm shall be against the Chaldeans. 15 I, even I, have spoken and called him; I have brought him, and he will prosper in his way. 16 Draw near to me, hear this: from the beginning I have not spoken in secret, from the time it came to be I have been there.” And now the Lord God has sent me, and his Spirit.
17 Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the Lord your God, who teaches you to profit, who leads you in the way you should go. 18 Oh that you had paid attention to my commandments! Then your peace would have been like a river, and your righteousness like the waves of the sea; 19 your offspring would have been like the sand, and your descendants like its grains; their name would never be cut off or destroyed from before me.”
20 Go out from Babylon, flee from Chaldea, declare this with a shout of joy, proclaim it, send it out to the end of the earth; say, “The Lord has redeemed his servant Jacob!” 21 They did not thirst when he led them through the deserts; he made water flow for them from the rock; he split the rock and the water gushed out. 22 “There is no peace,” says the Lord, “for the wicked.”
You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. (ISAIAH 26:3) For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. (ROMANS 8:6) May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. (ROMANS 15:13) And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. (COLOSSIANS 3:15) And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. (JAMES 3:18) The central truth of this word was – “There is no peace,” says the LORD, “for the wicked.” Although it may appear the wicked prosper while the righteous suffer, God’s shalom (peace) rests only with those hidden in the righteousness of Jesus Christ. We have peace with God through the reconciling work of Christ. We have peace in God through the trials and storms of life, like a continuous flow of river water that goes around the obstacles in its way. We can have peace with one another, as we extend the flowing waters from our rock, Jesus Christ, to those around us as peacemakers. All this is anchored in the presence, potential, and promise of His peace through His Spirit that indwells us. Let peace like a river flow! – *How has the LORD spoken to you today through this? Holy Spirit Moment Take a moment to invite the Holy Spirit to fill you, and pray. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (1 THESSALONIANS 5:16-18) …do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (PHILIPPIANS 4:6-7) For My Name’s Sake, I Have Refined You 1.[v.1-5] Refining Needed: “not in truth or right… you are obstinate” 2.[v.6-8] Extent to be Refined: “before birth you were called a rebel” 3.[v.9-11] Refiner’s Motive: “For my name’s sake… I have tried you in the furnace of affliction” For My Name’s Sake, I Have Refined You (ISAIAH 48:1-11) Pause & Reflect
1 Hear this, O house of Jacob, who are called by the name of Israel, and who came from the waters of Judah, who swear by the name of the Lord and confess the God of Israel, but not in truth or right. 2 For they call themselves after the holy city, and stay themselves on the God of Israel; the Lord of hosts is his name. 3 “The former things I declared of old; they went out from my mouth, and I announced them; then suddenly I did them, and they came to pass. 4 Because I know that you are obstinate, and your neck is an iron sinew and your forehead brass, 5 I declared them to you from of old, before they came to pass I announced them to you, lest you should say, ‘My idol did them, my carved image and my metal image commanded them.’
6 “You have heard; now see all this; and will you not declare it? From this time forth I announce to you new things, hidden things that you have not known. 7 They are created now, not long ago; before today you have never heard of them, lest you should say, ‘Behold, I knew them.’ 8 You have never heard, you have never known, from of old your ear has not been opened. For I knew that you would surely deal treacherously, and that from before birth you were called a rebel.
9 “For my name's sake I defer my anger; for the sake of my praise I restrain it for you, that I may not cut you off. 10 Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tried you in the furnace of affliction. 11 For my own sake, for my own sake, I do it, for how should my name be profaned? My glory I will not give to another.
The central truth of this word was – The LORD is a refining fire, fanning His flame through the afflictions of life. There, He reminds us that although our minds and actions always fall short to His truth and righteousness, He will never forsake us nor leave us. Instead, He brings His fire in Jesus Christ near – a fire that does not burn us up but refines us through and through. He has refined us, for His name’s sake! Although not fully realized yet, it is guaranteed as we all are stamped with the name of being His child by His grace. For the sake of upholding His saving name, He will lead you and bring you home. – *How has the LORD spoken to you today through this? Holy Spirit Moment Take a moment to invite the Holy Spirit to fill you, and pray. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (1 THESSALONIANS 5:16-18) …do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (PHILIPPIANS 4:6-7) My Counsel Shall Stand (ISAIAH 46:8-13) Pause & Reflect
8 “Remember this and stand firm, recall it to mind, you transgressors, 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, 10 declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose,’
11 calling a bird of prey from the east, the man of my counsel from a far country. I have spoken, and I will bring it to pass; I have purposed, and I will do it.
12 “Listen to me, you stubborn of heart, you who are far from righteousness: 13 I bring near my righteousness; it is not far off, and my salvation will not delay; I will put salvation in Zion, for Israel my glory.”
The central truth of this word was – “Listen to me, you stubborn of heart, you who are far from righteousness: I bring near my righteousness; it is not far off, and my salvation will not delay,” says the LORD God. Listen to the counsel of the LORD! Only His counsel shall stand! Our minds and hearts are corrupt, in denial of remembering the LORD of creation, who appears far off. Instead, we declare our own counsel to control the beginning, middle, and end of all things. Yet God in His grace has the God-man of His counsel – Jesus Christ – who reverses the corruption in ourselves to bring us into His righteousness. Listen to His words. Be treated and transformed. Keep in-step and follow Him! – *How has the LORD spoken to you today through this? Holy Spirit Moment Take a moment to invite the Holy Spirit to fill you, and pray. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (1 THESSALONIANS 5:16-18) …do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (PHILIPPIANS 4:6-7) |
Monthly 1st & 3rd Saturday, 4:00pm @ various locations
June 2024
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