For a full description of the (Y3) reading plan, see the “About” page.
- What attributes of God’s character does this passage reveal?
- How does the passage point to Jesus?
- How should the truth of this passage change me?
- How do the events of today’s reading help you better understand the grand narrative of Scripture?
Is. 64
“How can we be saved if we remain in our sins?” (Is. 64:5c). God came to us to make a way for our salvation. So He gave us the Way, but He doesn’t force us to take it. We need to change direction, turn from the way we are on, and walk in His Way. We cannot receive His salvation if we stay where we are. John also makes this point in his first letter. “The one who says, ‘I have come to know Him,’ and yet doesn’t keep His commands, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.” (1 Jn. 2:4). I like how a friend of mine put it, “If it doesn’t change you, it didn’t take.”
Is. 65
We tend to complain about the injustices we see in this world. We even question God over them. If God is good, how can He allow these things to happen? I love that God addresses many of these injustices in this prophecy of His new creation. Babies will no longer live only a few days. People will no longer die before their time. We will enjoy the fruit of our own labor; it will no longer be taken for the benefit of others who did not work for it. We will enjoy our work. Children will not be destined for disaster.
God is not blind; He does not turn a deaf ear. He knows what goes on in this world and He cares very deeply. But instantly doing away with all injustice would not solve the real problem. If He did that, we would simply all burn and there would be nothing left. So we need to have faith. We need to trust that God is working out His great plan as promised. And when God’s new creation finally comes to be, the serpent’s seed, ”’will not do what is evil or destroy on my entire holy mountain,’ says the LORD.” (Is. 65:25b).
Is. 66
“This is what the LORD says: Heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool. Where could you possibly build a house for me? And where would my resting place be?” (Is. 66:1). Wow. Just wow. Think about the scope of that statement. God isn’t just big, He is unfathomably BIG. If this great planet Earth, on which we are but microscopic specks of dust, is His footstool….that’s humbling!