Key Verse:
Isaiah 29:24 NASB
24
Those who err in [a]mind will know [b]the truth,
And those who [c]criticize will [d]accept instruction.
The old folk have a saying: “If you’re pointing a finger in accusation, be careful. There are three pointing back at you.” Experienced preachers will say it like this: “Don’t worry, the Word hits the preacher first.” There is so much turmoil in our land and within the Church today. These lessons on the Prophets have highlighted that to me, affirming much of my disgust with where we find ourselves in regards to social, economic, and environmental justice. When speaking in defense of the adulterous women whom the religious zealots wanted to stone, Jesus challenged the religious leaders with these words, “Let him who is without sin cast the first stone.” Scripture records that upon hearing Jesus’ words, the elders dropped their stones first. Today, I am dropping my stones. Open my eyes, Lord, that I might see and understand. Open my ears, Lord, that I hear and be healed.
John 8:7-11 NASB
7 When they persisted in asking Him, He straightened up and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” 8 And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. 9 Now when they heard this, they began leaving, one by one, beginning with the older ones, and He was left alone, and the woman where she was, in the center of the courtyard. 10 And straightening up, Jesus said to her, “Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?” 11 She said, “No one, [a]Lord.” And Jesus said, “I do not condemn you, either. Go. From now on do not sin any longer.”]]
Isaiah 29:13 NASB
13 Then the Lord said,
“Because this people approach Me with their [a]words
And honors Me with their lips,
But their heart is far away from Me,
And their [b]reverence for Me [c]consists of the commandment of men that is taught;
“Father, I come before your throne of Grace because of my great need. I need you to know what you know already. If repentance is to be had, it will be had one heart at a time. I’m not ashamed to start here; with myself. While Isaiah’s words were for a Jerusalem that was stubborn and recalcitrant, to read his words from some twenty-seven hundred years ago brings cause for introspection, an opportunity for honest self-reflection. There I am Lord, right there in the verse above. I find that I am least judgmental concerning that for which I should be most concerned. How do I measure up? Is my heart in the right place? The most honest answer is, “not always”. I’m not nearly the ‘Christian’ I think myself to be. Lord, I repent.
Isaiah 29:14 NASB
14
Therefore behold, I will once again deal marvelously with this people, wondrously marvelous;
And the wisdom of their wise men will perish,
And the understanding of their men who have understanding will be concealed.”
Yet Lord, because of your great Grace, the revelation of which was called ‘wondrously wonderful’ by the Prophet Isaiah, I sometimes take for granted the mercy that you extend toward all of us. In this moment, help me to pause and consider the magnitude of your great love toward me, toward us; all of us. To do so brings me to a place of great awe and reverent fear. Lord, I am in awe of you. Your wonder is too great to fathom, wondrous beyond imagination.
Isaiah 29:15 NASB
15
Woe to those who deeply hide their [d]plans from the Lord,
And whose deeds are done in a dark place,
And they say, “Who sees us?” or “Who knows us?”
Father, I know you know. You know my deepest secrets, my darkest imaginations. I have no doubt, Lord, that you see me and know. I try to keep up what is sometimes nothing more than a superficial facade. My heart is broken over the condition I find myself in. Certainly, my sins are not hidden from me, Lord. How could they possibly be hidden from you?
Isaiah 29:16 NASB
You turn things around!
Shall the potter be considered [e]as equal with the clay,
That what is made would say to its maker, “He did not make me”;
Or what is formed say to him who formed it, “He has no understanding”
Lord, where I have been presumptuous, please correct me. Let not my humility be deemed false before you. Let not my pride cause me to think of myself more highly than I ought. Truly, Father, you are the Potter, I am but clay. My prayer before you today Lord, is that these thoughts, these meditations from my heart be acceptable in your eyes. I love you, Lord. You, alone are forever worthy of my praise.
Isaiah 29:17 NASB
17
Is it not yet just a little while
[f]Before Lebanon will be turned into a fertile field,
And the fertile field will be considered as a forest?
Your Word continually reminds me that nothing is too hard for you. You cause Lebanon to be a fertile field. A place that yields sustenance for the people of the land. Then, in its place, you allow a wilderness to blossom, you allow that which has become desolate to find new life. You restore and replenish. You tear down and rebuild. Your Glory is made manifest in seedtime and harvest.
Isaiah 29:18-19 NASB
18
On that day those who are deaf will hear words of a book,
And out of their gloom and darkness, the eyes of those who are blind will see.
19
The afflicted also will increase their joy in the Lord,
And the needy of mankind will rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.
Therefore Lord, open our eyes so that we may behold the brightness of your Glory. In doing so, give us a heart for the poor, the down-trodden, the afflicted. Lord, as you have shown mercy, let us show mercy. Your desire is for a church without spot or wrinkle. Open our eyes, Lord, so that we can become self-aware. So that we might repent.
Isaiah 29:20-21 NASB
20
For the ruthless will come to an end and the scorner will be finished,
Indeed all who [g]are intent on doing evil will be eliminated,
21
Who [h]cause a person to be indicted by a word,
And set a trap for the arbitrator at the gate,
And [i]defraud the one in the right with [j]meaningless arguments.
In these last days, Lord, help us to stand for what is right according to your Word. Help us to be merciful. Help us to love justice. Help us to be conscious of You at all times so that we might walk in humility before you. You have not called us to crush sin, but to love sinners; to provide an avenue for escape to those who cannot find their way. Let our feet be shod with the beautiful Gospel of Peace, the message of Christ crucified on our behalf, resurrected for our justification. Remove from us the heart of stone and give us a heart of flesh. You command us to love. Give us the strength to obey you, so that we might show grace to a world in despair.
Isaiah 29:22-23 NASB
22 Therefore this is what the Lord, who redeemed Abraham, says concerning the house of Jacob:
“Jacob will not be ashamed now, nor will his face turn pale now;
23
But when [k]he sees his children, the work of My hands, in his midst,
They will sanctify My name;
Indeed, they will sanctify the Holy One of Jacob,
And will stand in awe of the God of Israel.
You are our hope Lord. Help us to demonstrate by our love for one another, our love, and our reverence for you, O Lord. You are my strength and my Redeemer. Because of your great love, I stand in Your Holy Presence. Help me, help us, your Church to walk in Holiness and in Love. Fill me with your Spirit Lord, so that I might always be un-ashamed, but self-aware in your Presence. Fill my heart, so that I might forgive as You have forgiven me. Bless your great Name.
In the Holy and Precious Name of Jesus, our Lord (my Lord),
Amen
(Selah)
wb
John 8:12 NASB
12 Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; the one who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.”
Good Stuff, Wayne
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