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Today's Bible Reading...
August 9 - Isaiah 43-46
Questions:
1. "When you pass through the ___, I will be with you; and when you pass through
the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the ___, you
will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord, your
God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior." (43:2-3)
2. "Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me. I, even I, am
the ____, and apart from me there is no savior." (43:10-11)
3. "I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and
remembers your ___ no more." (43:25)
4. "I will go before you and well level the ____." (45:2)
5. " I will break down gates of bronze and cut through bars of ___." (45:2)
6. "I will give you the treasures of darkness, riches stored in ___ places, so
that you may know that I am the Lord, the God of Israel, who summons you by
___."
(45:3)
7. "I form the light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and create
disaster; I, the ___ do all these things." (45:7)
8. "I will raise up ___ (name of earthly king) in my righteousness: I will make
all his ways straight. He will rebuild my city and set my exiles free, but not
for a price or reward, says the Lord." (45:13)
9. "Turn to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth; for I am God and there
is no __."(45:22)
10. "Before me every knee will bow; by me every tongue will ___. They will say
of me, 'In the Lord alone are righteousness and strength.'"
Chapter 43 - God's love and care for Israel, God is their only Savior
Chapter 44 - Israel is the chosen servant nation, choose the Lord and not idols
Chapter 45 - Cyrus, Israel's return from captivity
Chapter 46 - The fall of Babylon
What can we learn from these verses?
1. "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass
through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the
fire, you will not be burned." (43:2) What waters or fire has been fearfully
close to you lately? How have you experienced the presence of God? Why doesn't
God just allow us to avoid these things? What have you learned? How have you
profited from your suffering? What good has God brought forth?
2. "'You are my witnesses,' declares the Lord and my servant whom I have
chosen." Israel was the chosen nation to tell the world of the one true God.
Today Christians have the responsibility to witness for Christ. Does the light
of Christ shine through you? What do people know about God when they listen to
your words and see your example?
3. "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See I am doing a new
thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the
desert and streams in the wasteland." (43:18-19) What streams in the wasteland
are bubbling for you now? What "new thing" has the Lord done in your life? What
"former things" from your past do you need to forget and put behind you? Do it
today.
4. "I even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and
remember your sins no more." How easy it is to remind other people of their
sins. Sometimes we even keep a mental record so that we can bring them up at the
most convenient time. God not only forgives our sins, God remembers them no
more. Remember the Lord's Prayer: "Forgive us our trespasses, as we
forgive those who trespass against us."
5. "All who make idols are nothing, and the things they treasure are worthless."
How do the ones who worship the idols end up like idols? (44:18-20)
6. What "gods" have our people formed for themselves? In what ways are they
living in denial? Can Christianity itself every become an idol? What are the
consequences?
7. Isaiah prophesied from about 740-681 B.C. He called Cyrus by name nearly 150
years before he ruled (559-530 B.C.). God told Isaiah that Jerusalem would fall
100 years before it happened (586 B.C.). Isaiah prophesied that the temple would
be rebuilt about 200 years before it happened. God knows the future. God is in
control. God anoints whom he will to perform special services. God has a special
plan for your life. What are your talents and abilities? How have you be led to
use them?
8. "I form the light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and create
disaster; I, the Lord, do all these things." (45:7) We will experience many
things from minor inconveniences to major catastrophes. We have good times and
bad times. When things are good we need to use our prosperity for God's work.
When bad times come, realize that it is part of the refining process. We will be
better servants in the end. Stay focused.
9. "Turn to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth; for I am God, and there
is no other." "Before me every knee will bow; by me every tongue will swear.
They will say of me, 'In the Lord alone are righteousness and
strength.'"(45:22-24) Salvation is for all nations. The whole world will come to
know God through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Prayer: God, You are awesome! I worship and praise you. Glorify yourself through
me. May I never accept the praise and glory that is yours. In the name of Jesus
I pray. Amen.
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