Through the Bible - Isaiah 59-61, 1 Thessalonians 5
Good morning,
I'm sure we've all faced tough times, tough days in our lives which sometimes turn into "seasons". God's Word and His promises in them should be an encouragement to us in those times.
I don't know how many of you have been following the read through the Bible plan above, but if you have, this past week you've been enjoying some great chapters in the book of Isaiah.
Today's reading included Isaiah 61 where we go for today's verse. The chapter starts out with a message of "good tidings" to the poor, the brokenhearted, the captive, the prisoners, and those who mourn and it speaks of the coming Messiah. Jesus referred to this passage in Luke 4:18-19 when He began His ministry.
Today's verses end this chapter.
Isa 61:10 I will greatly rejoice in the Lord,
My soul shall be joyful in my God;
For He has clothed me with the garments of salvation,
He has covered me with the robe of righteousness,
As a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments,
And as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
11 For as the earth brings forth its bud,
As the garden causes the things that are sown in it to spring forth,
So the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations. NKJV
No matter what our situation is here and now, as Christians we can look forward to a brighter day. Take a look at and consider the words of verse 11 "God will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth". It's a picture of growth, renewal, blossoming. The chapter is a message of hope
I'm reminded of some of the words from the Steve Green song "God Causes all things to Grow":
God causes all things to grow
Through every season we know
He will guard the life
That He's planted in our souls
And when we feel the cold winds blow
We'll hold to what we know
God causes all things to grow
The words of the song and the words of the passage should encourage us. May they do so for you today. Hold on to what you know.
What other verses or passages come to mind as you read the words? Romans 8 or perhaps Philippians 1:6?
Phil 1:6 being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ; NKJV
Are you confident of this today?
In Christ,
Mike
Isa 61:1-62:1
The Good News of Salvation
61 "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me,Because the Lord has anointed MeTo preach good tidings to the poor;He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,To proclaim liberty to the captives,And the opening of the prison to those who are bound; 2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord,And the day of vengeance of our God;To comfort all who mourn, 3 To console those who mourn in Zion,To give them beauty for ashes,The oil of joy for mourning,The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;That they may be called trees of righteousness,The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified."
4 And they shall rebuild the old ruins,They shall raise up the former desolations,And they shall repair the ruined cities,The desolations of many generations. 5 Strangers shall stand and feed your flocks,And the sons of the foreignerShall be your plowmen and your vinedressers. 6 But you shall be named the priests of the Lord,They shall call you the servants of our God.You shall eat the riches of the Gentiles,And in their glory you shall boast. 7 Instead of your shame you shall have double honor,And instead of confusion they shall rejoice in their portion.Therefore in their land they shall possess double;Everlasting joy shall be theirs.
8 "For I, the Lord, love justice;I hate robbery for burnt offering;I will direct their work in truth,And will make with them an everlasting covenant. 9 Their descendants shall be known among the Gentiles,And their offspring among the people.All who see them shall acknowledge them,That they are the posterity whom the Lord has blessed."
10 I will greatly rejoice in the Lord,My soul shall be joyful in my God;For He has clothed me with the garments of salvation,He has covered me with the robe of righteousness,As a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments,And as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. 11 For as the earth brings forth its bud,As the garden causes the things that are sown in it to spring forth,So the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations.
NKJV
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