Isaiah 63
COMMENTARY:
: 7 I will mention the lovingkindnesses of the LORD and the praises of the LORD, according to all that the LORD has bestowed on us, and the great goodness toward the house of Israel, Which He has bestowed on them according to His mercies, according to the multitude of His lovingkindneses. The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982)
DEVOTION: God’s judgment is a terrible thing to behold and it is even difficult to read about. The Lord mighty in power and great in conquest is pictured in the first six verses of this chapter. Now He turns and declares His acts of love and great goodness for his people. In remembering this he rejoices and also is grieved over the rebellion that these people chose.
Repeatedly the Scriptures reveal to the reader that the Lord loves His people and is available to deliver them in their hour of need. Repeatedly the Scriptures also remind us that we are rebellious and want to do our own thing! The Israelite nation knows these truths and even reminds the Lord of them before stating their two requests!
How like the people of Israel we are today. We review the wonderful works of God in our lives and remind the Lord of His promises yet refuse to obey and yield to His word. We ask with sin in our lives knowing that the Lord is compassionate and merciful. Like the children of Israel we plead with the Lord for one more chance and then we will correct the wrongful life style or attitude that we know is hindering our relationship with Him. But first, Lord answer our cry and then we will change.
CHALLENGE: Instead of boldly coming into the throne room and asking for something from the Lord today why not stop and examine your life and see if there be any wicked thing in you! Paul’s words to the Corinthians are appropriate today, “But let a man examine himself…” (1 Cor. 11:29) and John’s words, “This is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, that as you have heard from the beginning, you should walk in it.” 2 John 6 (Dr. Brian Miller – board member)
: 10 But they rebelled, and vexed his Holy Spirit: therefore he was turned to be their enemy, and he fought against them. (6087 “vexed” [atsab] means grieved, displeased, hurt, afflict, offend, twist, or distort.)
DEVOTION: In the New Testament we are told that we can grieve the Holy Spirit by our sin and quench the Holy Spirit by our inaction. The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Godhead. Each person of the Godhead is equal but has different responsibilities.
The Holy Spirit was sent after Christ returned to heaven to convict the world of sin, righteousness and judgment. HE was to be a teacher to those who were followers of Jesus Christ. HE gave gifts to those who were involved in the local church. HE gives direction to all those who seek HIS guidance.
Here we find that the Holy Spirit was active in the Old Testament. HE is first mention in Genesis chapter one as HE moves over the waters of the earth. Throughout the Old Testament we find HIM filling the lives of those who are to serve the LORD.
We also learn that HE leaves Old Testament saints at times when they chose to disobey the LORD. David prayed that the Holy Spirit would not leave him after he had sinned.
The children of Israel in Isaiah’s day were rebellious. They didn’t want to follow the LORD. They wanted to go their own way. They wanted to blame God for all their problems.
So instead of confessing their sins they continued to act out in sin against the LORD with no regard for the consequences. Isaiah tried to warn them but they would not listen.
The consequence was going to be captivity in Babylon in the future. HE would fight for the children of Israel when they were obedient but when they were disobedient HE left them to fight on their own.
When they repented of their sins HE would again come to their aid. This is true today. We need to keep short accounts with the LORD. The Holy Spirit will convict us of our sin and we need to confess those sins to regain fellowship with the LORD.
CHALLENGE: Work on not grieving the Holy Spirit by our actions. Ask HIM to fill you with knowledge of your wrong actions and turn in another direction.
: 16 Doubtless YOU are our father, though Abraham be ignorant of us, and Israel acknowledge us not, YOU, O LORD, are our father, our redeemer YOUR name is from everlasting. (1350 “redeemer” [ga’al] means avenger, act as kinsman, buy back, to require blood, to bring into safety, conceived of as redeeming something, deliverer, kinsman, or do the part of next of kin.)
DEVOTION: The children of Israel had a hard time remembering all the LORD had done for them in the past. They were typical believers. They loved the blessings but didn’t want to go through hard times.
It is a good description of our relationship with the LORD. We have to realize that God is the only one who can redeem us from a path heading to hell for eternity.
In the Old Testament many didn’t realize that they needed to have a better relationship with the LORD but some did and here we find that they are to realize that good works were not going to get them to heaven but only a proper relationship with the LORD.
Today we know that this relationship is established through Jesus Christ. HE is our redeemer. HE is the one that brought us through HIS blood on the cross.
We need to worship HIM in spirit and in truth each day. This takes having a proper relationship through confession of sin and continuing to walk close to HIM each day. It is not a easy path but it is the only path to heaven for eternity.
Each generation has to know that God is working HIS plan in this world and we have to follow HIS plan to receive blessings from HIM.
CHALLENGE: Have you acknowledged Jesus as your Savor and LORD of our live. If not, pray to HIM and ask for this relationship. If you have, keep short account with HIM. Each day is a new day of going to HIM in prayer for direction and forgiveness.
: 17 O LORD, why have YOU made us to err from YOUR ways, and hardened our heart from YOUR fear? Return for YOUR servants’ sake, the tribes of YOUR inheritance. (8582 “err” [ta’ah] means to vacillate, mislead, lead astray, reel or stray, deceive, dissemble, seduce, stagger, or wander.)
DEVOTION: The book of Isaiah is called the fifth gospel. This chapter shows us why it can be called a book of good news. Isaiah reviews the history of Israel from Abraham through Moses.
He mentions how the LORD showed loving-kindnesses to HIS people. He mentions the LORD’S mercy. He mentions the ministry of the Holy Spirit during their wilderness wanderings. He mentions the LORD’S holiness. Isaiah said all this to tell us the LORD treated them well but they rebelled against HIM.
The children of Israel wandered from God and then blamed God for their wandering. Can we blame God for our sins? James tells us NO. The book of Romans chapter one instructs us that God is long-suffering but there comes a point where HE gives them over to their own desires.
The children of wanted to worship false gods. The children of Israel continually disregarding the prophets the LORD sent to them. HE didn’t cause them to wander; HE let them go their own way. HE is never the author of our sin.
Isaiah in his prayer asked the LORD why HE allowed them to go their own way. Why HE allowed them to harden their heart. It is a question that has been asked for generations. God gave man free will. What that means is hard to understand.
HE had foreknowledge regarding our lives before we were born. Before the foundation of the world HE knew the direction we would take. Does that mean we had no choice? NO!! The Bible continually tells us that “whosoever” calls on the name of the LORD will be saved. We have a choice. We live in time and God lives outside of time. Comprehending these concepts is beyond our pay grade. We have to take things by faith. God is not our enemy. God is the Savior of all those who turn to HIM. HE allows everyone to make their own choice for eternity.
Hopefully, all those receiving these devotions have called on the name of the LORD. If not, you can still do it today. Today is called the day of salvation. If you have any questions please write or call.
CHALLENGE: Don’t blame God for your sins. HE provides salvation first and a way to escape after that for all those who turn to HIM.
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