Meditating on Isaiah 52-57

Invitation for Redemption (July 5)

Today’s scripture passages show
the horrible price of our redemption
and the anguish our Saviour endured
in paying the awful price of sin.
His visage was so marred more
than any man (52:14). He was
wounded… he was bruised… and
with His stripes we are healed (53:5)
The Lord laid on Him the iniquity
of us all (53:6). He was cut off
out of the land of the living (53:8).
The Lord… put Him to grief…
He poured out His soul unto death…
& He bare the sin of many (53:10-12)

Father God, we praise You that
You are Holy but yet Loving and
that You plan Restoration for Man.
Thank You Lord Jesus Son of God
for coming as Suffering Servant
to make Your soul an offering for
sin and to bear the sin of many.
Lord, we Humble Before You;
Lord, we Trust In Your Word; and
Lord, we Wait for Your Restoration.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Lord, we Wait for Restoration:
Sing, O barren woman, you who
never bore a child; burst into song,
shout for joy, you who never
in labour; because more are the
children of the desolate woman
than of her who has a husband,
says the Lord (Isaiah 54:1).
For a mere moment I have forsaken
you, but with great mercies I will
gather you. With a little wrath I hid
My face from you for a moment;
but with everlasting kindness I will
have mercy on you, says the Lord,
your Redeemer (Isaiah 54:7-8).
Lord, Your Word says to sing praise
in the face of unfruitful situations
in our lives. So even when prayers
seem to be unanswered I will still
praise You because I know that
You can breathe life to any situation
even one that appears to be dead.
Help me Lord to always trust that
You have heard my prayers & have
not forgotten my response. Amen.

Lord, we Trust In Your Word:
As the rain come down from heaven
and do not return to it without
watering the earth and making it
bud and flourish… so is my word
that goes out: It will not return
to me empty, but will accomplish
what I desire & achieve the purpose
for which I sent it (Isa 55:10-11).
Lord, Thank You that Your Word
always accomplish the purpose
for which You sent it. Even when
my prayers seem unanswered,
help me to always trust You can
breathe life into the situation.
And enable me to secure the power
that is in Your Word by planting
it so firmly in my heart that
it guides everything I do. Amen

Lord, we Humble before You:
The Holy One says this: I live
in the 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 (Isa 57:15-16).
Lord, You are high and lifted up,
glorious and exalted, and I’m not.
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. Amen.