Reading
SAA Notes
Verse 20 reminds us of Jesus’ words to believers in Matthew 24:15-22. The first century believers remembered those words and fled Jerusalem before the second Roman attack that destroyed the city completely.
SJA Notes
* All-Powerful God, You refine us for Your own sake, Your glory You will not give to another.
“Oh that you had paid attention to my commandments!”
This was a hard word for Israel in exile, Israel at the time of Isaiah.
This has been a hard word for God’s people through all the years and generations since then.
Today this is a hard word for us.
The Lord knows us, us today.
“Because I know you are obstinate, and your neck is an iron sinew and your forehead brass,”
He knows us!
Our pride, our stupidity, our terrible decision-making – God knows that we are fallen man, sinners by state and intent.
But.
“… Declare this with a shout of joy, proclaim it, send it out to the end of the earth; say, ‘The LORD has redeemed his servant Jacob!'”
We were rebels from God, but He broke our rebellion and called us to Him.
We were outside the camp, but He went outside and brought us back in.
We were dead in our sins, but He has redeemed us.
Who is this that does these things?
The LORD. The Holy One of Israel.
This is cause for joy! What a hope we have, what a joy it is!
* Father God,
Holy One of Israel.
Thank You for the hope we have in You.
Thank You that You have saved us, rescued us, restored and redeemed us – Even though we will have obstinate natures, stiff necks and stubborn brows.
Please sink us in self today that we would rise in Thee.
Amen.