Here we go!  Let’s read Isaiah 48:12-22, Isaiah 49, 50, 51, 52:1-12 together today.  Here’s my take-a-way:

“For I will contend with him who contends with you, And I will save your children.” (Isaiah 49:25 NKJV)

God is always consistent — what concerns us also concerns Him. If we allow Him to, He will protect us and defend us. Imagine your difficulties becoming God’s difficulties – the ultimate big brother to help us!

Because we are in Christ, our problems are in Christ as well – trust the Lord to work in your favor.

Okay, here’s what we’re reading today: Isaiah 44:6-28, Isaiah 45, 46, 47, and 48:1-11.  Do you have a highlight to share?  Here’s mine:

“Look to Me, and be saved, All you ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other” (Isaiah 45:22 NKJV)

He’s always ready to save us! Praying to idols or looking to any other source is worthless.

“Now listen to me: You’re a hardheaded bunch and hard to help. I’m ready to help you right now. Deliverance is not a long-range plan. Salvation isn’t on hold. I’m putting salvation to work in Zion now, and glory in Israel” (Isaiah 46:12-13 MSG)

We might think that we are the ones who wait, but really it is God Who is waiting on us to turn to Him – salvation is not on hold, He is READY!

Today we’re all in Isaiah.  Please read Isaiah 40, 41, 42, 43, and 44:1-5: I love all of this and I want to highlight everything.  What is your take-a-way today?

“Prepare the way of the Lord; Make straight in the desert
A highway for our God. Every valley shall be exalted
And every mountain and hill brought low;
The crooked places shall be made ^[b]straight
And the rough places smooth;
The glory of the Lord shall be revealed, And all flesh shall see it together;
For the mouth of the Lord has spoken” (Isaiah 40:3-5 NKJV)

Know what I think about exalting valleys and bringing low mountains?  I think that what God made possible for Jesus is what He’ll make possible for you as you serve Him. What mountain is in your way?  As you serve the Lord, He’ll make your impossible possible!

In Isaiah 40:6-8, in the middle of being comforted, the instruction was to “cry out”.  Cry out about the Word of God, make God valuable and more important than anything else – that will put everything else in perspective. So many benefits to being His child throughout these chapters. I’ve adopted Isaiah 44:1-5 as a promise about my children, many years ago.   Today was lots of comfort!

Lots going on today!  Please read 2 Kings 19:1-19, Isaiah 37:1-20, 2 Chronicles 32:9-19, 2 Kings 19:20-37, Isaiah 37:21-38, and 2 Chronicles 32:20-23.  Did you circle or star anything as you read? Leave a comment – I’d love to hear from you!

“For I will defend this city, to save it
For My own sake and for My servant David’s sake” (Isaiah 37:35 MSG)

Again, God references David’s covenant while giving hope to the people.  The strength of this covenant, wow. It has been literal generations since David has died. What a gift to be able to leave such a legacy – Lord help me to build something of such importance to Your Name!

Today we’ll read Micah 6, Micah 7, 2 Chronicles 32:1-8, 2 Kings 18:13-18, Isaiah 36:1-3, 2 Kings 18:19-37, and Isaiah 36:4-22. What stands out to you?  Is the Lord speaking to your heart through His Word?  Here’s a few of my highlights:

I love Micah.  Mercy is God’s specialty! (wait – did I already say that restoration is God’s specialty? Well, He has LOTS of specialties!)

“But he’s already made it plain how to live, what to do,
    what God is looking for in men and women.
It’s quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor,
    be compassionate and loyal in your love,
And don’t take yourself too seriously— take God seriously” (Micah 6:8 MSG)

Sennacherib was an enemy of Israel and King Hezekiah, you are probably familiar with his name.  He sends a messenger to speak to Hezekiah’s people, Rebshekah. Rebshekah speaks to Hezekiah’s people in their own language (Hebrew), telling them that God is not to be trusted, and trying to get them to turn on Hezekiah (2 Kings 18:19-37).  His servants ask him to speak in his own language (Aramaic), but he refused. It’s interesting: Our enemy can “talk a good game”, and even tell us what we think we want to hear. It’s a trap, though, every time – a sheep knows the voice of the Shepherd.  Do not be deceived.  Hezekiah’s people were not deceived:

 ^“But the people held their peace and answered him not a word; for the king’s commandment was, ‘Do not answer him’ ” (2 Kings 18:36 NKJV)

When our enemy the devil tries to speak to us (and might even try to use our own language to confuse us), let’s not answer him, either.

Here we go – reading Isaiah 34, and 35; then Micah 2,3,4, and 5 today. Restoration – it’s my favorite!

“It’s for GOD ’s people exclusively— impossible to get lost on this road. Not even fools can get lost on it” (Isaiah 35:8-10 MSG)

In the midst of His anger, God provides a road which will lead us back home.  Always looking for ways to bring us back, draw us close, restore us into right relationship.  (And this is still before Jesus – the best is yet to come!)

How about this one:

“I’m calling a meeting, Jacob. I want all of the survivors back……Then I, GOD, will burst all confinements and lead them out into the open. They’ll follow their King. I will be out in front leading them” (Micah 2:12, 13 MSG)

God wants us back, always! ALL of us!  Lead on, King – we will follow You!

Today, continuing in Isaiah.  Let’s read Isaiah 30, 31, 32, and 33. Are you hanging in there with the Old Testament?  How are you doing?  Here’s what stands out to me today:

A favorite:

“But GOD ’s not finished. He’s waiting around to be gracious to you. He’s gathering strength to show mercy to you. GOD takes the time to do everything right—everything. Those who wait around for Him are the lucky ones” (30:18 MSG)

God, just looking and waiting for opportunities to bless and strengthen us – not at all “out to get us” like people sometimes say of the God of the Old Testament. We must find Him to be kind️, His love toward us unchanging.

In 31, Isaiah says that God “must be reckoned with”. We have to decide who God is for us and operate in truth and faith. It won’t do to say “I don’t understand so I won’t do anything about God”.  It’s really our responsibility and obligation to learn and apply His truth to our lives. I love 32:15-20, so applicable to us today:

“Yes, weep and grieve until the Spirit is poured down on us from above
And the badlands desert grows crops and the fertile fields become forests.
Justice will move into the badlands desert. Right will build a home in the fertile field.
And where there’s Right, there’ll be Peace and the progeny of Right: quiet lives and endless trust.
My people will live in a peaceful neighborhood— in safe houses, in quiet gardens.
The forest of your pride will be clear-cut, the city showing off your power leveled.
But you will enjoy a blessed life, planting well-watered fields and gardens,
    with your farm animals grazing freely” (32:15-20 MSG)

What a blessed peace!

Please read Isaiah 24, 25, 26, 27, and 29 today.  Take every opportunity to notice God’s kindness!  Here’s what stands out to me – do you have a highlight to share?

“Depend on God and keep at it because in the Lord God you have a sure thing” (Isaiah 26:4 MSG)

I love that. God is sure, He is a constant – and that doesn’t depend on my success or failure.

“The path of right-living people is level.
    The Leveler evens the road for the right-living.
We’re in no hurry, God. We’re content to linger
    in the path sign-posted with Your decisions.
Who You are and what You’ve done
    are all we’ll ever want.
Through the night my soul longs for You.
    Deep from within me my spirit reaches out to You” (Isaiah 26:7-8 MSG)

Amen!  Wow, what beautiful words.  To expand on that would be like trying to put ruffles on the stars – there’s no need.  Read it aloud if you have a minute – make this your prayer today!

27:2-5 reminds me of the chapter with the disappointing vineyard. God says He isn’t angry, but that He cares – even if the vineyard produces thistles. As we submit ourselves to God, He continues to work with us.

Today, we are reading Isaiah 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, and 23. Rough day for Isaiah and for the people within his hearing.

It must have been hard for these prophets like Isaiah to deliver such strong messages. These prophets prayed more than anyone.  They were most closely acquainted with the character of God.  They knew His propensity for restoration.  Considering all this, it must have been heartbreaking to speak these things. Even though consequences are a result of a people’s own actions, it’s still sad to see people struggle – especially when you know that better is possible! (and with God, better is always possible!)

A verse stands out to me, and I’m going back to the NKJV for a minute on this one: