Daily Devotional
Sunday: Light in the Darkness: Isaiah 49:1-6; John 1:1-9
God uses King Cyrus to deliver His people from Babylon. But who will God use to restore them back to God? God’s special Servant. In these opening verses we find (1) the surety of the Servant’s call (Isaiah 49:1), (2) His divine enablement (Isaiah 49:2-3), and (3) His ultimate vindication (Isaiah 49:4). He will “save” the world, including the Gentiles. “Salvation” here corresponds to “justice” in Isaiah 42:1. For God to “save the world” means He will bring it into the order He intended from creation.
Monday: Liberty to the Captives: Isaiah 49:7-13
The primary task of the Servant will be given as a representative of God’s new “covenant” to His people. He will establish the people in a land of freedom and plenty, where the God of “mercy” will tend them as a shepherd tends his flock. This great promise of hope and love surges through the prophet into an outburst of praise from all of nature, as the entire world experiences the positive effects of humankind’s redemption.
Tuesday: Hope for the Discouraged: Isaiah 49:14-50:3
Using the graphic illustration of a compassionate mother (Isaiah 49:14-23), a courageous warrior (Isaiah 49:24-26), and a constant lover (Isaiah 50:1-3), God demonstrates His great love and encouragement to His people. God’s people are “engraved” upon His hands; He can never forget them. His will bless them beyond belief. God promises to fight on behalf of His children, taking captive those who have taken His children captive, and bringing oppression upon those who were once the oppressors. Despite Israel’s failure in their holy covenant with God, the Lord avows His love. Despite our unfaithfulness, God remains constant!
Wednesday: The Obedience of the Servant: Isaiah 50:4-51:8
The Servant of God will offer Himself in total obedience, which will bring great suffering upon Him. When He declares the message that God gives Him, He is going to suffer abuse (Isaiah 50:6). But despite the torture laid upon Him, nothing will dissuade Him from His mission. To the end, He will be an obedient sacrifice.
Thursday: Fear the Lord — Not Men: Isaiah 51:9-16
“Why hasn’t God acted yet?” The remnant prayed as though God were asleep and needed to be awakened. Have you ever felt that way when you prayed? Did it ever seem like God was taking way too long to answer? The response that God gives is not a direct answer. Certainly, the captives will return to Zion singing with joy. The call goes out to the people to put their focus back on the Lord, and not on the oppressor.
Friday: Wake Up Jerusalem!: Isaiah 51:17-23
The prophet now speaks to the ruined city of Jerusalem, picturing her as a drunken mother whose children have abandoned her. Judgment is sometimes illustrated as the drinking of a cup of wine. When the remnant returned, they would bring new hope and a new beginning. God takes the cup of judgment from His people, and gives it to the Babylonians. The remnant’s foot would now be on the neck of their enemies!
Saturday: The Lord Comforts His People: Isaiah 52:1-12
These verses represent the climax of God’s promises to bring His people back to Himself. Just as God demonstrated His uniqueness in delivering His people from Egypt, He will now deliver them from Babylon (Isaiah 52:1-6). As God’s complete victory is revealed, the watchmen on the walls “shout for joy!”