Isaiah 49
COMMENTARY:
: 1 Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. (990 “womb” [beten] means the belly, abdomen, or within.)
DEVOTION: Many of the people of the Bible tell us that they were called of God before they were born, while they were still in their mother’s belly.
The baby in the womb is a human being according to the Bible. Those who believe in “choice” are making a choice to kill a human being before they even enter the world. The baby in the womb as a body, soul and spirit. All those who chose to end a life before they have a choice to live outside of the womb will be answering to the LORD. Is this the unpardonable sin? NO!! The only unpardonable sin in the Bible is the rejection of the LORD Jesus Christ as their personal Savior.
We were called before the foundation of the world by God’s choice. HE is in control. HE is working HIS plan in our life. HE knew those who would be HIS servants even before they were in the womb but HE calls them to HIS servant while they are still in the womb.
The Messiah, who is Jesus Christ, was called from the womb to be a servant of the LORD. HE was called to be a suffering servant. Israel needed a Savior and HE would save them from their sins. They would be restored upon HIS return to full standing with the LORD during the Millennial reign.
In the meantime, all those who are born will be given a choice to follow the LORD or not follow. They will have no excuse when they stand before the LORD in judgment and HE asks them what they did with HIS Son, Jesus Christ in their lifetime.
Now we have to acknowledge HIM in our lives by confessing our sins and asking HIM to come into our lives. Have you done this? HE has done HIS part, have we acknowledge HIM?
CHALLENGE: Remember a child in the womb is important to the LORD. We should value life at conception. God does!!!
: 13 Sing, O heavens; and be joyful, O earth; and break forth into singing, O mountains: for the LORD hath comforted his people, and will have mercy upon his afflicted. (7442 “sing” [ranan] means to overcome, to cry out, shout for joy, give a ringing cry, or rejoice.
DEVOTION: There is a better day coming for Israel. The LORD doesn’t give up on HIS people. This verse tells the Israelites to be joyful.
This verse instructs the Israelites to break forth into singing. The LORD comforts HIS people. The LORD has mercy on those of HIS people who are afflicted. That includes all of HIS people.
There is coming a day when the Messiah will reign in this world. HE will cause all those who were reigning to come and worship at HIS feet. It is still future but Israel is waiting for the Messiah.
New Testament saints are to be singing as well. We are supposed to rejoice in the LORD. Some people come to church and show no sign of rejoicing in their salvation. If some of us are people watchers, we can observe the people around us. We can observe their enthusiasm during the worship service. Some don’t express the joy of the LORD in their singing or any other part of the service.
Of course there is one problem, if they are observing our lack of enthusiasm in worship. Let’s shout to the LORD the praise due HIS name. It is real enjoyable to see everyone involved in enthusiastic worship. It will happen in heaven. Why not start here on earth???
The LORD wants us to serve HIM while we are here on the earth. Part of our service is singing HIS praises. Our singing encourages others to sing. Our lack of singing discourages people who should be singing.
CHALLENGE: Set the pace for those around you by making a joyful noise unto the LORD every chance you get. It will encourage.
: 15 Can a woman forget her nursing child, and not have compassion on the son of her womb? Surely they may forget, yet I will not forget you. The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982). 7911 כָּשַׁח, שָׁכַח [shakach, shakeach /shaw·kakh/] – to forget, to cease to care, to be forgotten.
DEVOTION: A mother’s love for her child (ren) is a special and delicate attribute. Whether it is because her child is nestled closely to her heart or all the special moments she shares with that little bundle of love, the bond is often strong and nearly unbreakable. Yet the Lord says that His love is greater than the strongest union of mankind.
Young has stated, “This is one of the strongest, if not the strongest expression of God’s love in the Old Testament, and is often compared with Jeremiah 31:20.” Young, 3:285. God wanted the Israelites to know that He loved them deeply even though they had been rebellious and stiff-necked. He desired to instruct them and to draw them unto himself. While the people of God has changed from the Israelites to the church in the New Testament God still desires to draw His own unto himself. He reaches out and continually seeks to make people understand His great love for them. Do you know His love today? Perhaps you have been like the Israelites and wandered far away from the love of the Father, He wants you to know He has not forgotten you!
CHALLENGE: As you read this you may sense that the Holy Spirit is drawing you back to a relationship with the Lord. He remembers you and has not forgotten his love for you and like the Father in Luke 15 is willing to drop everything to come running when He sees you coming back to Him. Come to Him today! (Dr. Brian Miller – board member)
DONATIONS:
Remember that all donations to Small Church Ministries are greatly appreciated. The treasurer will send a receipt, at the end of the year unless otherwise requested. Please be sure to make check out to “Small Church Ministries.” The address for the treasurer is P.O. Box 604, East Amherst, New York 14051. A second way to give to the ministry is through PayPal on the website: www.smallchurchministries.org. Also, if you can support this ministry through your local church please use that method. Thank you.
Visit our Facebook page for Small Church Ministries – please invite others to join us on Facebook. Thank you. Look for the logo from the devotionals.