God Refreshes & Gives Courage
Backgrounder on Isaiah 52-57:
Nowhere in the OT will you see
a clearer picture of the horrible
price of your redemption than in
these six chapters. Many verses
show the anquish our Savior,
as suffering servant, endured
in paying the awful price of sin.
For instance, His visage was so
marred more than any man (52:14)
and: He was wounded… He was
bruised… the chastisement of
our peace was upon Him; and with
His stripes we are healed (53:5).
Lord, You’ll Refresh the Humble:
He who puts his trust in Me shall
possess the land… Prepare the way,
Take the stumbling block out of
the way of My people (Isa 57:13-14).
The high and lofty one who inhibits
eternity, the Holy One says this:
I live in that high and holy place
with those whose spirits are
Contrite and Humble. I Refresh
the humble and give new Courage
to those with repentant hearts.
For I will not content forever,
nor will I always be angry (v15-16).
I have seen his ways, and
will heal him; I will also lead him,
and restore comfort to him…
Then words of praise will be on their lips…And I will heal them (v18-19).
Lord, You are glorious and exalted,
and I will put my total trust in You.
I bow before You and ask You to
develop in me a heart of humility.
Your Word says that You will not
despise a repentant heart, and
so I ask You to work that in me,
and take away the stumbling block.
Thank You for meeting me right
where I am and renewing me. Amen.
Lord, help me live in Your power
& to rise above circumstances.
Help me to humbly rest in You
and grant me the needed strength.
Help me Lord to live as one who
is constantly Refreshed by You.
Help me to be lowly and be lifted
up in boldness and new Courage.
For I want to be in syn with You and
be drawn into Your purposes. Amen.
Lord, thank You for the promise of
healing and restoring Your people.
For a broken spirit and a contrite
heart You will surely not despise.
You desire truth in the inward parts,
a broken spirit and a contrite heart.
Lord, my heart is prone to wander;
prone to leave, the God I love.
Here’s my heart, Lord take & seal it;
Seal it for, Your courts above. Amen.