PERSONAL DEVOTION: ISAIAH

We all know how vital it is to be in God's Word, and constantly in scripture we see warnings and commands to "meditate on it day and night." It is absolutely a hard routine for me to find. Ideally, if I could spend an hour in the Word before everyone is out of bed, that is great, but that definitely does not always happen. So when that doesn't happen I have to be intentional about spending REAL time in the scriptures in the day or I miss out or just read out of duty rather than delight.

Over the past few months, I took a different approach to personal devotion. I decided to read Isaiah, but not to try to get through a chapter a day.  Some chapters I read over and over again, some I read commentaries on, some I just thought about for a few days...etc.  I just took it one step at a time, and over the course of the last few months I finished the book of Isaiah and it was a very fresh perspective for me. I can say I spent more time "meditating" on God's Word rather than just reading it, and through that, the Lord challenged me, convicted me, and gave me an incredible sense of anticipation for his Holy Mountain that will one day be established in His glory! So throughout my reading in many of the margins, I jotted down phrases to challenge myself in reference to some of the verses, and I thought I would share them with you.

1. IF we are willing and obedient to the LORD regarding our sins, we will be washed white as snow.(Is.1:18-20)

2. When subject to the Lord's breaking, there is an outcome of righteousness. (Is.1:21-28)

3. One day all will be humbled; but only the repentant will live in forgiveness. (2:9-11)

4. Only the Lord's fame will last! (2:17)

5. In the midst of God's Holiness, our deepest sins are revealed. (6:5)

6. The Lord's light is powerful over darkness and mighty to save. (9:2)

7. The Pride of Satan (Is. 14:12-14). God humbles the prideful...severely.

8. On the Lord's Holy Mountain we will reside; death swallowed up, tears wiped away. The Lord's hand will rest on His people! (25:6-12)

9. Man's plans fail when they are not God's. (28:18)

10. God hates Hypocrisy. (29:13-14)

11. If we wait on the Lord, His justice, mercy, and grace we will receive! (30:18)

12.  God's hold on His children is new each morning. He meets us where we are. (33:2)

13. No struggles...No Sin...Just joyful, unending, perfect worship! (35:5-10)

14. In oppression, depression, weariness, and strife, the LORD is our safety! (38:14)

15. When all around us fades, the Word of God remains true forever! (40:8)

16. Every star is accounted for and named by our God! (40:26)

17. Our help from the Lord must evoke a response of worship...(41:14-20)

18.  The truth of Christ's coming, death, and fullness of God demands a response of Worship.(42:10-17)

19.  God created me, wants me, named me, helps me, loves me, is with me, is using me...Why should I Fear? (43:1-7)

20. God supplies all we need for one purpose: declaring His praise and reflecting His glory!(43:20-21)

21.  There is no other God, nor way to salvation. He is the ONLY answer to our sin. (45:22)

22. Bow now or be made to bow later. (45:23)

23. The Lord loves those who declare His eternal and sovereign nature. (48:12-14)

24. When we heed the commands of the Lord, we find great gain! (48:17-18)

25. God allowed, even willed His Son to be brutally murdered, that He might forever adopt me as His own precious Child! (53:10-11)

26. The Lord's anger last a moment compared to His everlasting love and compassion, which is the end result for all His children! (54:7-8)

27. God's Word will not return to Him empty. It will accomplish all he purposed it and will achieve that which He sent it to do! (55:11)

28. Those in Christ will leave this earth in JOY, led forth in peace, and all the earth will rejoice! (55:12-13)

29. Fasting from the Lord's perspective: not for us, but that others might come to know the glory of God (58:6-7)

30. God saw that He was the only one who could make a way out of sin. (59:15-16)

31. Worship is remembering. (63:7)

32. NOT saved by works, but created to joyfully do good works in Jesus' name. (64:5)

33. Eternal life will be our home, victory our song, and Jesus our Holy Father and King! (65:20-25)

34. Worship is anticipation. (65:20-25)

35. To tremble at God's Word is to revere it with an eagerness to obey.(66:2&5)

36. On the Holy Mountain, Day and night, all will worship the Lord1 (66: 23)