Isaiah

I think Isaiah is one of my favourite books of the Old Testament. It is almost like a fifth Gospel. It contains so much of what we understand about Jesus, his life, the reason for his coming. 

Isaiah was preparing us for his coming long before John the Baptist was even born.

If you ever doubt God's love for you, and the lengths he will go to for you, then just read this book. 

ISAIAH

Promise of Good News.
For to us a child shall be born,
coming from the Lord.

God had a plan for us all, and Jesus came to do more than just die...

He came to preach good news, heal our broken hearts and proclaim our freedom.

Over this lent period, let us never forget that the approaching events are Good News!

Because he was born, we will live forever.

Day 31 - Restoration

The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor.  He has sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives  and release from darkness for the prisoners,  to proclaim the year of the LORD's favour and the day of vengeance of our God,     to comfort all who mourn. (Isaiah 61:1-2)

Does any of this sound familiar?  If you remember, when Jesus read this reading in the temple, he completed it by saying “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing” (Luke 4:21)

But just because it is fulfilled, doesn’t mean it isn’t still a command to us today.  How are we taking the opportunity to preach the good news, and to proclaim the year of His favour?

Are we doing enough, or are we just sitting back and thinking: “Jesus did it, it’s all over.”?

We need to get in the game, and start sharing what has been given to us.  Joy of salvation.

Day 11 : Availability

Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?"  And I said, "Here am I. Send me!" (Isaiah 6:8)

 

I think we are all familiar with this verse, when Isaiah shows a willingness to go; a spirit of …

AVAILABILITY

Are we available?  Are we willing to go?

Have we told him that?

 

I know that GOD knows everything, even what is on our heart before we do, but this is not about being ready to go where we are sent, it is about being ready to go, before we are called.   Isaiah received the call, and he was ready; he didn’t have to think about it, because he wanted to do what GOD wanted of him.  He had the right spirit.

Today, I will be focusing on making sure that I am available for whatever GOD calls me to do; whether it is a mission to Ethiopia, or to put money into a beggars tin.  I will say to him “Here I am, send me.” And mean it!