Reflection on Isaiah (July 21)

Adoring God thru Thanks & Praise

The purpose of the prophetic book
of Isaiah is to call the nation of
Judah back to God and to tell of
God’s salvation thru the Messiah.
The 27 chapters in the second half
of Isaiah generally bring a message
of forgiveness, comfort and hope.
This message of hope looks forward
to the coming of the Messiah more
than does any other OT prophet.
He describes the Mesiah as both a
suffering servant & sovereign Lord.

On Mon, we learn from Isa 40 that
God Comforts & Renews Strength.
On Tues, we learn from Isaiah 43
that God Makes Way Through Trial.
On Wed, we learn from Isaiah 46
that God Cares and Sustains Us.
On Thurs, we learn from Isaiah 53
that My Saviour Bleeds at the Cross.
On Friday, we learn from Isaiah 58
that Great Jehovah Guides Me.
On Saturday, we learn from Isa 61
that God Turns Ashes to Beauty.

Let us humble ourselves and pray
and seek His face. Help us O God
be Christ’s disciples who Adore You:
For You are worthy of our Praise
as Our Saviour Bleeds at the Cross
as well as Comforts & Strengthens;
For You are Worthy of our Thanks
as You Make Way through Trial
as well as Cares & Sustains Us;
For You Great Jehovah Guides Me
and that God Turns Ashes to Beauty.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Reflection on Isaiah (July 21)

Adoring God thru Thanks & Praise

The purpose of the prophetic book
of Isaiah is to call the nation of
Judah back to God and to tell of
God’s salvation thru the Messiah.
The 27 chapters in the second half
of Isaiah generally bring a message
of forgiveness, comfort and hope.
This message of hope looks forward
to the coming of the Messiah more
than does any other OT prophet.
He describes the Mesiah as both a
suffering servant & sovereign Lord.

On Mon, we learn from Isa 40 that
God Comforts & Renews Strength.
On Tues, we learn from Isaiah 43
that God Makes Way Through Trial.
On Wed, we learn from Isaiah 46
that God Cares and Sustains Us.
On Thurs, we learn from Isaiah 53
that My Saviour Bleeds at the Cross.
On Friday, we learn from Isaiah 58
that Great Jehovah Guides Me.
On Saturday, we learn from Isa 61
that God Turns Ashes to Beauty.

Let us humble ourselves and pray
and seek His face. Help us O God
be Christ’s disciples who Adore You:
For You are worthy of our Praise
as Our Saviour Bleeds at the Cross
as well as Comforts & Strengthens;
For You are Worthy of our Thanks
as You Make Way through Trial
as well as Cares & Sustains Us;
For You Great Jehovah Guides Me
and that God Turns Ashes to Beauty.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Adoring God In Isaiah 61 (Jul 20)

God Turns Ashes to Beauty

Backgrounder on Isaiah 58-62:
Isaiah catches a glimpse of the
Glorious Future awaiting the people
of God. A day is coming when
darkness will be swept away,
affliction will cease and the
glad tidings of salvation shall
be proclaimed throughout Zion.
God has not forsaken His people
& groaning has given way to glory.

Lord, You Turn Mourning to Joy:
The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me…
to heal the brokenhearted…
to comfort all who mourn…
to give them Beauty for Ashes,
the oil of Joy for mourning,
the garment of praise for the
spirit of heaviness (Isa 61:1-3).
You will be called Ministers of God.
You shall eat riches of Gentiles &
everlasting joy shall be theirs(v6-7)
I am Overwhelmed With Joy
in the Lord my God! For He has
dressed me with the clothing of
salvation and draped me in a robe
of righteousness (v10). Amen.

Lord, I don’t know how much I must
have lost or the blessings I have
forfeited because I have lived
my way instead of Your way.
But I confess my sins of thought,
word and deeds to You now.
Grant me Lord beauty instead
of ashes, gladness instead of
mourning and a garment of
praise instead of despair. Amen.

Lord, I know being called to the
ministry and in fact we all are!
Help me to be an effective go-
between standing in the space
between You and a needy world.
Help me Lord to correctly do that
with loved ones, among friends,
in church and in the community.
Enable me to represent You well to
others & lift up others to You. Amen

Lord, grant me a glimpse of Your
presence which gives Fullness
of Joy. And reveal and show me
the power of proper perspective:
not be defeated but to overcome;
not be victimised but victorious.
Help me live life such that my mind
and attitude are impacted by You.
Clothe me in Joy and celebration
of what You’ve done in me. Amen.

Adoring God In Isaiah 58 (Jul 19)


Great Jehovah Guides Me

Welsh hymn writer William Williams
(1717-1791) compared the Christian
life to the Israelites’ trek through
the wilderness. We may not know
the route God is leading us, but
we humbly count on His guidance.
For 43 years he preached and sang
throughout Wales. He sang Wales
into piety & revival said one writer.
Soon all of Wales was singing their
way to the coal mines and soccer
matches. And their favourite hymn
was this hymn inspired by Isaiah 58.

Lord, Guide us Great Jehovah:
Is not this the kind of fasting I’ve 
chosen: to loose the chains of
injustice to set the oppressed free
and to break every yoke (Isa 58:6).
Is it not to share your bread with
the hungry, and bring to your house
the poor who are cast out (v7).
The Lord will Guide you continually,
giving you water when you are
dry and restoring your strength.
You will be like a well-watered
garden, like an ever-flowing
spring. Your children will rebuild
the deserted ruins of your cities.
Then you will be known as the
people who rebuild their walls
and cities (Isa 58:11-12).

Lord, help me to be disciplined
enough to fast and pray
as You would have me to.
For I need to deny the desires
of the flesh in order to focus
on my need for more of You.
For I need to break every yoke
of oppression in my life and the
lives of others so that we will
see great breakthroughs. Amen.

Lord, You are my refuge & Strength,
an ever present helper in trouble.
Help me to cling to the truth that
You are the all-powerful God and
there’s nothing too difficult for You.
Give me strength to face troubled
times with confidence knowing Your
strength is perfected in weakness.
Guide me O Thou great Jehovah
and grant wisdom for all the tasks
that will cross my daily path. Amen.

Guide me, O Thou great Jehovah,
Pilgrim through this barren land;
I am weak, but Thou art mighty;
Hold me with Thy powerful hand;
Bread of heaven, Bread of heaven
Feed me till I want no more,
Feed me till I want no more…
Open now the crystal fountain,
Whence healing stream doth flow;
Let the fire and cloudy pillar
Lead me all my journey through;
Strong deliverer, strong deliverer,
Be Thou still my strength & shield
Be Thou still my strength & shield.

Adoring God In Isaiah 53 (Jul 18)

My Saviour Bleeds at the Cross

Isaac Watts (b1674) was an English
Christian minister, hymn writer and
theologian. He was a prolific and
popular hymn writer & was credited
with some 750 hymns. This hymn
in particular has touched the hearts
of millions through the centuries.
The hymn: Alas! And Did My Saviour
Bleed was inspired by Isaiah 53.
After drawing the start contrasts
between the sacrificial death of the
mighty Maker and the unworthiness
of the sinful creature, he concludes
with consecration: Here Lord, I give
myself away, ’tis all that I can do.

Lord, thanks for Yr redemptive love:
He is despised and rejected
by men, a Man of sorrows and
acquainted with grief (Isaiah 53:3).
Surely He has borne our griefs
and carried our sorrows…
smitten by God and afflicted (v4).
He was pierced for our rebellion,
crushed for our sins. He was
beaten so we could be whole.
He was whipped so we could
be healed. All of us, like sheep,
have strayed away. We have left
God’s paths to follow our own.
Yet the Lord laid on Him the
sins of us all (Isaiah 53:5-6).

Father God, You brought Your
Son to earth to bring about
wholeness to a broken world.
Lord Jesus, Thanks for taking
every of our transgressions –
when You went to the cross; and
Your death gave us eternal life.
Your death brought wholeness
to our body, mind, soul and spirit.
Your sacrificial death brought us
deliverance and released peace as
You paid the penalty of sin for us &
overcame death victoriously. Amen.

Lord, we receive Your total healing:
We receive spiritual healing
and have the connection with
You through the Holy Spirit.
We receive healing to our soul
so that we do not need to be
emotionally tortured anymore.
We receive healing to our minds
and purpose to renew our minds
by meditating on Your Word.
We receive healing to our body for
when Jesus was crucified He took
all illnesses upon Himself. Amen.

Alas, and did my Savior bleed?
And did my Sovereign die?
Amazing pity! grace unknown!
And love beyond degree!…
At the cross, at the cross
where I first saw the light,
And the burden of
my heart rolled away,
It was there by faith
I received my sight,
And now I am happy all the day!
But drops of grief can ne’er repay
The debt of love I owe;
Dissolve my heart in thankfulness,
‘Tis all that I can do… Amen.

Adoring God In Isaiah 46 (Jul 17)

God Cares & Sustains Us

In amazing collection of specific
prophecies (chap 44-48) Isaiah
foretells the agent of comfort God
will use in delivering His people
(Cyrus, king of Persia) and the
means of comfort God will employ
(destruction of adulterous Babylon).
Isaiah taunts those who would
put their trust in mere images of
stone and wood. And God declares
I am God and there is none like me.

Lord, You’ll Care & Sustain Us:
Listen to Me all you who are left
in Israel. I created you and have
Cared for you since you’re born.
Even to your old age & grey hairs
I am He who will Sustain you.
I have made you and I will Carry
you; I will Sustain you and I will
rescue you (Isaiah 46:3-4).
I am God and there is no other;
I am God and there is none like me.
I make known the end from the
beginning… what is still to come.
I say: My Purpose Will Stand,
and I Will Do all that I please…
I will also bring it to pass. I have
purpose it; I will also do it (v9-11).
Listen to Me, you stubborn-hearted,
I bring My righteousness near…
My salvation shall not linger (v12-13)

Lord, help me to realise that You
are everlastingly my Father. And
that You know me intimately and
every moment of my entire lifetime.
Help me to rely on You through
every season of my entire life.
Help me to rest in the knowledge
that even at old age, You will be
caring and sustaining me. Amen.

Lord, You will always be with
me for You are a relational God.
No matter what the circumstance,
Your Word gives the assurance
that You will always be near me.
And that You will always fulfil
and do what You have purposed.
For You are my maker God and the
one who will sustain and save me.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Lord, You are In Control of the
whole world, including my life.
You alone know the future and
can orchestrate the events of life.
Help me Lord to listen to You and
grant me Lord the grace to trust
that You will work things out
for my good and for Your glory.
And let Your righteousness bring
deliverance without delay. Amen.

Adoring God In Isaiah 43 (July 16)

God Makes Way Through Trial

The book of Isaiah has been likened
to a miniature Bible, its 66 chapters
paralleling the 66 books of Bible.
The first 39 chapters of Isaiah,
like the 39 books of OT proclaim
judgment upon sinful mankind.
God’s patience is great, but He
will not allow persistent sin go not
punished. The final 27 chapters of
Isaiah, like the 27 books of the NT,
proclaim a message of comfort
and hope. The Messiah is coming
to be the Saviour of sinful people.

Lord, You are With Us through Trial:
Do not fear, for I’ve redeemed you;
I have summoned you; you are mine.
When you go thru deep waters
and great trouble, I Will Be With you.
When you go through rivers of
difficulty, you will not drown!…
For I am the Lord your God…
your Savior (Isaiah 43:1-3).
Besides Me there is no saviour…
I have declared and saved…
Therefore you are My witnesses
says the LORD that I am God…
No one can snatch anyone
out of My hand (v11-13).
Behold I will do a new thing…
I will even made a road in the
wilderness & rivers in the desert…
I provide water in the desert and
streams in the wasteland, to give
drink to my people… that they
may Proclaim My Praise (v19-21).

Lord, thank You for Your promises
of presence, deliverance and
protection. Because You’ve said:
“I Will Be With you”, what have
I to fear? Help me to trust in You,
not only in the small details of life,
but also in times of great trouble.
For You are not only my Lord and
my God, You are indeed also my
Deliverer and my Savior. Amen.

Lord, Your Word says You are
with me in times of great trouble.
Help me hang on to Your promise
even when I cannot sense Your
presence. For nothing and no one
can altar Your declaration to save.
Give me strength to pass through
my trials and ultimately triumph so
that I will give witness Your power &
that Your name be glorified. Amen.

Lord, thank You for making a way
where there seems to be no way.
And grant Lord for You to do a new
thing to pave way to fulfilled prayer.
I Praise You for who You are and
for all You have done in my life.
Help me live every day with praise
and thanksgiving in my heart.
For my greatest calling on earth is
to worship and glorify You. Amen.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=RsMAXhc0QTs

Adoring God In Isaiah 40 (July 15)

God Comforts & Renews Strength

Isaiah is like a miniature Bible.
The first 39 chapters of Isaiah,
like the 39 books of OT proclaim
judgment upon sinful mankind.
And the final 27 chapters of Isaiah,
like 27 books of NT, proclaim a
message of Comfort and Hope.
The Messiah is coming to be the
Saviour of sinful people. Therefore,
Comfort my people, say your God.

Lord, You Comfort Your People:
Comfort, comfort my people,
says your God. Speak comfort…
and cry out to her… That her
warfare is ended, that her iniquity
is pardoned (Isaiah 40:1-2).
Behold the Lord God shall come
with a strong arm… He tends His
flock like a Shepherd: He gathers
the lambs in His arms and carries
them close to His heart (v10-11).
The Everlasting God… Gives Power
to the Weak, and to those who have
no might He Increases Strength…
But those Who Wait on the Lord
Shall Renew their Strength: They
shall mount up w wings like eagles
they shall run and not be weary,
they shall walk & not faint (v28-31).

Lord, You are our Shepherd who
faithfully feed & guide Your flock.
Grateful Lord also for Your
comforting care and protection
for You hold the lambs in Your arms.
What a word of comfort Lord
and what an amazing promise.
When I am afraid or weary or tired,
remind me that You desire to carry
me with all tenderness. Amen.

Lord, thank You for Promise
to give Strength to the weak.
Sometimes we are weak and feel
we can’t go on to live as we should.
But Lord in You there is new power
to “fly”, to run and to persevere.
Grant us Lord the experience
of Your limitless Strength so that
we can serve You faithfully and be
a light for You in a dark world. Amen.

Lord, sometimes I will feel weary
in the challenges of life while
waiting for fulfillment of promise.
But Your Word says those who
hope in You will find new Strength.
Help me Lord to trust that
You will give me the strength
to run and not grow weary;
and to walk and not faint; for
You’re my Everlasting God. Amen.

Thought for the Week: Isaiah 9

Lord Almighty Provides Your Needs

In the face of trouble and anguish,
Isaiah proclaims a note of hope.
The people that walked in darkness
have seen A Great Light (Isa 9:2).
There is coming a Child whose very
names instil hope and confidence.
Though shadows of judgment
darken the horizon, the redeemed
ones can sing, for the ultimate
victory is already assured.

Lord, You’re Everything We Need:
Time of darkness will not go on
forever… The people who walk in
darkness will see A Great Light…
For God will break the chains
that binds His people…
For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given…
And His name will be called
Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
… He will reign over His Kingdom,
establishing and upholding it…
The Passionate Commitment
and zeal of the Lord Almighty will
guarantee this! (Isa 9:1-7) Amen.

Lord Jesus, we claim Isaiah 9:6 that
says: Nothing will stand in Your way;
& nothing is outside Your authority.
We pray for resilience in hard times;
for we know that it is through trial
that people grow and mature. But in
Your mercy, don’t test beyond what
we can bear. And grant us grace
to live in peace and favour of break-
through for a new season. Amen.

Lord Jesus, You are our Prince of
Peace. Help us learn to rest in You,
to draw near to You in good times
and bad. Thank You for the promise
of deliverance & victory over trials.
In tough times teach me Lord to
look to You and to lean on You.
And make me a good example
of Your supernatural peace;
for You are my Peace. Amen.

Lord, help me to join You at work
to further Your Kingdom on earth.
Help me display Your character
as well as demonstrate Your way.
Teach me Lord to trust in Your zeal
for my life and to know that Your
purposes cannot be stopped.
Expand Lord Your kingdom in me;
and let me feel Your passion for
me and for Your purposes. Amen.

Reflection on Isaiah (July 14)

Adoring God thru Thanks & Praise

The purpose of the prophetic book
of Isaiah is to call the nation of
Judah back to God and to tell of
God’s salvation thru the Messiah.
The 39 chapters in the first half
of Isaiah generally carry the message of judgment for sin.
Isaiah’s warnings were intended to
purify the people by helping them
understand God’s true nature.

On Mon, we learn from Isaiah 1
that Christ Jesus Paid It All.
On Tues, we learn from Isaiah 6
that God Reveals and Calls You.
On Wed, we learn from Isaiah 7
that Immanuel God Is With Us.
On Thurs, we learn from Isaiah 9
that Lord Almighty Provides Needs.
On Friday, we learn from Isaiah 25
that God Shelters Us from Storm.
On Saturday, we learn from Isa 30
that God Strengthens & Directs Us.

Let us humble ourselves and pray
and seek His face. Help us O God
be Christ’s disciples who Adore You:
For You are worthy of our Praise
as You Immanuel God are With Us
and that You Reveal and Call Us;
For You are Worthy of our Thanks
as You Lord Almighty Provides Needs & Christ Jesus Paid It All;
For You Shelter Us from Storm
as well as Strengthen & Direct us.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.