v 6 - “It will be a shelter and shade from the heat of the day, and a refuge and hiding place from the storm and rain”
This chapter (apart from verse 1) looks forward to the time a redeemed, cleansed and holy population will be living in Jerusalem, the City of God (for us, a picture of the church). The signs of the Lord’s presence (cloud and fire) will be over them all, not just over the tabernacle as happened on the Exodus from Egypt.
I chose verse 6 from the few available, because it shows that adversity (heat, storm and rain) still comes, but the Lord’s presence protects his people. We can take comfort from this, because our Lord has promised “Surely I am with you always”.
Phil Heath-Coleman
Thursday, 30 April 2009
Wednesday, 29 April 2009
Isaiah Chapter 3
v 13 "The Lord takes his place in court; he rises to judge the people"
Isaiah is known as the “evangelical” prophet - he liked to tell good news and will do so in outstanding ways. But as Apostle Paul wrote to the Christians in Rome (11:v 22) we need to “consider both the kindness and sternness of God.” In ch 2v6 Isaiah had said that God had abandoned his people because they had turned away from Him to pseudo-gods. Isaiah now says the consequence for the nation of Judah will be breakdown of “supply and support”. Competent national leadership will cease: ch 3 v 13, The LORD takes his place in court: he rises to judge the people . . . . . judgment against the elders and leaders of his people, –that is, ‘judgement of the legislative and executive arms of government.’ Is this what we may see in a Christian land that has largely abandoned God and his moral laws, which were for man’s good? Why even the haughty women of Zion whose posture declared “I’m worth it” would loose their “Finery” and “Fragrance.” Jerusalem was “defying God’s glorious presence.” (v 8).
David Hum
Isaiah is known as the “evangelical” prophet - he liked to tell good news and will do so in outstanding ways. But as Apostle Paul wrote to the Christians in Rome (11:v 22) we need to “consider both the kindness and sternness of God.” In ch 2v6 Isaiah had said that God had abandoned his people because they had turned away from Him to pseudo-gods. Isaiah now says the consequence for the nation of Judah will be breakdown of “supply and support”. Competent national leadership will cease: ch 3 v 13, The LORD takes his place in court: he rises to judge the people . . . . . judgment against the elders and leaders of his people, –that is, ‘judgement of the legislative and executive arms of government.’ Is this what we may see in a Christian land that has largely abandoned God and his moral laws, which were for man’s good? Why even the haughty women of Zion whose posture declared “I’m worth it” would loose their “Finery” and “Fragrance.” Jerusalem was “defying God’s glorious presence.” (v 8).
David Hum
Tuesday, 28 April 2009
Isaiah Chapter 2
Isaiah Chapter 2 v 22
As with so much prophecy, God speaking through Isaiah has several layers applying to – the present situation, the future and the end times “Thy Kingdom Come” where a God of Justice and peace will be seen to reign.
In v 22 “Trusting” - has different definitions. We quite rightly trust our good friends. Here, Isaiah seems to be saying that “You are putting undue faith in man to solve all your/world’s problems and are leaving God out of the equation of your thinking. You are living a man-centred life which equals Idolatry – Man trusting in man alone. You shall have no other Gods before me.
In the current “credit crunch”, very few people are not affected by this through savings, investments, redundancy, stock market, insurance policies and I’m sure there are more. – We could also add the Lottery, gambling, getting bigger houses, getting more possessions. Many of the above can be shown for what they are: Man centred, built ‘on sand’. (Although Jesus did talk about being good stewards of time & possessions so don’t oversimplify!)
Isobel Kahn (a missionary) wrote in 1940, ‘Build for Eternity, Live for eternity’ Her approach to life was the opposite of man-centred living.
Jesus said “Where you treasure is, there your heart will be”. Is He trying to get our attention through world events?
God says of this approach to life (man centred) in Isaiah 2 v 22 ‘..of what account is he? Man is dependent upon God for his life ‘ who has put breath into your nostrils’
Yet we can often live our lives independent of God. God is saying ‘Stop trusting in man’
We quite rightly stress that God is a God of love but he is faithful to all his attributes including… anger and judgment as Judah was to find out and… what about us?
Clinton Grant
As with so much prophecy, God speaking through Isaiah has several layers applying to – the present situation, the future and the end times “Thy Kingdom Come” where a God of Justice and peace will be seen to reign.
In v 22 “Trusting” - has different definitions. We quite rightly trust our good friends. Here, Isaiah seems to be saying that “You are putting undue faith in man to solve all your/world’s problems and are leaving God out of the equation of your thinking. You are living a man-centred life which equals Idolatry – Man trusting in man alone. You shall have no other Gods before me.
In the current “credit crunch”, very few people are not affected by this through savings, investments, redundancy, stock market, insurance policies and I’m sure there are more. – We could also add the Lottery, gambling, getting bigger houses, getting more possessions. Many of the above can be shown for what they are: Man centred, built ‘on sand’. (Although Jesus did talk about being good stewards of time & possessions so don’t oversimplify!)
Isobel Kahn (a missionary) wrote in 1940, ‘Build for Eternity, Live for eternity’ Her approach to life was the opposite of man-centred living.
Jesus said “Where you treasure is, there your heart will be”. Is He trying to get our attention through world events?
God says of this approach to life (man centred) in Isaiah 2 v 22 ‘..of what account is he? Man is dependent upon God for his life ‘ who has put breath into your nostrils’
Yet we can often live our lives independent of God. God is saying ‘Stop trusting in man’
We quite rightly stress that God is a God of love but he is faithful to all his attributes including… anger and judgment as Judah was to find out and… what about us?
Clinton Grant
Monday, 27 April 2009
Isaiah Chapter 1
Every time there is snow I am reminded of Isaiah Ch 1 v 18, especially recollecting the time when I walked through a park after very heavy snow. It was outstandingly beautiful; pure, unspoilt, transforming and glistening in the winter sun.
It is so good this verse starts with ‘come’, for snow is a reminder of this invitation from God to make clean what is wrong in my life. Is anything more white than untouched snow? It transforms. As I look as snow I recall the words found in 1 John 1 v 9. The visual aid of snow beautifully illustrates this.
I wish we had a bit more snow in this area!
Hope Rudge
It is so good this verse starts with ‘come’, for snow is a reminder of this invitation from God to make clean what is wrong in my life. Is anything more white than untouched snow? It transforms. As I look as snow I recall the words found in 1 John 1 v 9. The visual aid of snow beautifully illustrates this.
I wish we had a bit more snow in this area!
Hope Rudge
Tuesday, 21 April 2009
Coming to a screen near you - Isaiah Comments
Not been here for a while?
Me neither - sorry about that.
We will shortly start publishing the daily thoughts for our Isaiah series here.
Friday, 18 January 2008
And to cap it all ...
Every week I get a short e-mail news digest from the Bible Society. This one is pertinent to one possibility we are praying about this year ...
"As thousands of debt-ridden families wake up to the reality of Christmas overspending, a Christian charity is offering churches the chance to come to their aid. Christians Against Poverty (CAP) has produced CAP Money, a course featuring Alpha-type filmed talks, to help people budget their way out of hardship. CAP founder John Kirkby said they were launching the course ‘in response to the overwhelming demand for a simple, easy-to-follow money management course that will make a long-term difference.’ Alan Meyer, senor minister of Elim Community Church in Carlisle, said a pilot scheme they had run ‘had a fantastic response’. ‘We are looking forward to using it as an evangelistic tool because of the huge impact it is able to make in people’s lives,’ he added. Meanwhile, the Methodist Church has produced thousands of fake credit cards bearing the inscription ‘Buy L£ss, Live More’. The cards are designed as a reminder to fit in a wallet and carry the inscription ‘MARK 10:17-27’ in place of a credit card number."
Sources: Christianity (Feb 08); Church Times (18/1)
"As thousands of debt-ridden families wake up to the reality of Christmas overspending, a Christian charity is offering churches the chance to come to their aid. Christians Against Poverty (CAP) has produced CAP Money, a course featuring Alpha-type filmed talks, to help people budget their way out of hardship. CAP founder John Kirkby said they were launching the course ‘in response to the overwhelming demand for a simple, easy-to-follow money management course that will make a long-term difference.’ Alan Meyer, senor minister of Elim Community Church in Carlisle, said a pilot scheme they had run ‘had a fantastic response’. ‘We are looking forward to using it as an evangelistic tool because of the huge impact it is able to make in people’s lives,’ he added. Meanwhile, the Methodist Church has produced thousands of fake credit cards bearing the inscription ‘Buy L£ss, Live More’. The cards are designed as a reminder to fit in a wallet and carry the inscription ‘MARK 10:17-27’ in place of a credit card number."
Sources: Christianity (Feb 08); Church Times (18/1)
Thursday, 10 January 2008
What would you do with £25?
Here's a shocking story of what one pastor did by way of explaining the parable of the talents!
http://news.aol.com/story/_a/pastors-challenge-shocks-congregation/20071220192509990001
http://news.aol.com/story/_a/pastors-challenge-shocks-congregation/20071220192509990001
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