Isaiah 54

Be Still: At this busy time help me to find quiet space to meet with you. Amen

Read: Isaiah 54

‘Fear not, for you will not be ashamed, be not confounded, for you will not be disgraced, for you will forget the shame of your youth……..For your maker is your husband, the Lord of hosts is his name and the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer, the God of the whole earth he is called…….but with everlasting love I will have compassion on you (vv 4,5,8 & 14) 

Encounter:   ‘Let nothing you dismay’*

On a personal note, I must admit that recently, for reasons not unconnected with writing these 'devotionals,' I got myself in a bit of a flap. The problem is I want to please and not upset people and I was in a situation where that was not possible, and I got quite emotional about it. Well, the situation was resolved, but virtually the first words I read of this week’s passages were from verse 4 ‘you will not be ashamed, be not confounded….’ and I felt this was a clear word of encouragement and support for me. It’s amazing how often God’s word meets our personal situation and need. Maybe someone else today needs to hear those words?

This chapter is about the restoration and vindication of God’s people. It initially addresses Israel, as a barren and desolate woman to whom God promises fruitfulness: ‘your offspring will possess the nations’ (v3) and blessings – represented by precious stones – lavished on her, and she will ‘be established in righteousness’ (v14).

But we too, as ‘His chosen race … a holy nation’ (1 Peter 2v9) can confidently appropriate God’s promises. Just as the Jewish people of Isaiah’s day did not deserve or do anything to earn such compassion and provision, so we too have been given amazing grace and are already blessed, beyond measure - ‘blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places’ (Ephesians 1v3).

Remember the promise, you will ‘be established in righteousness’ and grasp hold of the New Testament's declaration of our established security, based on ‘righteousness from God that depends on faith’ (Philippians 3v10), not based on our own behaviour or obedience.

Apply:  Do you need to hear God’s promises today? Do you need to know that you are established in righteousness? Do you need to heed the words ’For your maker is your husband’? (v5)

Devote: Thank you Lord for your many blessings, for establishing us and reassuring us when we struggle.

*Carol: 'God rest ye Merry Gentlemen’