A Covenant of Peace: Isaiah 54, 55 (7)

Pray Psalm 22.27, 28.
All the ends of the world
Shall remember and turn to the LORD,
And all the families of the nations
Shall worship before You.
For the kingdom is the LORD’s,
And He rules over the nations.

Review Isaiah chapters 54, 55.

Reflect.
1. How does Isaiah portray the greatness of the Lord’s salvation? 

2. What is their responsibility to whom this salvation is given?

Meditate.
The preceding chapter, Isaiah 53, brought to culmination the work of the Servant in paying the debt for our salvation. We saw the enormity of His suffering, and how this accomplished the taking away of the sins of His people. This chapter ends on a low and sorrowing note.

Chapters 54 and 55 erupt in joyous exhortations and celebrations, calling the people of God to stretch out and get ready for a new city from the Lord, which will encompass all the nations and bring healing even to the creation. This is the result of the Servant’s work; it is the coming of the long-promised salvation of God.

The greatness of God’s salvation, outlined in these chapters, may have seemed impossible to those just about to be carried away captive to Babylon. But God assured them that, as His Word through Isaiah had not failed yet, it would not fail in the days to come. What God has declared and promised, He will perform.

So the people should have hope and find strength in the midst of their trials; and be continuing to look to the Lord and live toward His promised salvation. Great blessings lie ahead for the people of God, according to His Word through Isaiah. And God’s Word will not fail. He will be glorified in the blessing of His people, and all the ends of the earth shall know Him.

Prepare.
1. How does trusting God’s Word help us in the midst of trials and difficulties?

2. How is His Word like the rain from heaven? Is this your experience of the Word of God? Explain.

3. What’s your primary takeaway from Isaiah 54 and 55?

For if God had made us in order to punish us, we might well have despaired and questioned the possibility of our own salvation. But if he created us for no other reason than his own good will, and with a view to our enjoying everlasting blessings, and if he does and contrives everything for this end, from the first day until the present time, what is there which can ever cause us to doubt? John Chrysostom (344-407 AD), Letter to the Fallen Isodore 1.15

Today, Lord, help me to live in the fullness of Your salvation by…

Pray Psalm 22.26-28.
The first part of Psalm 22 parallels Isaiah 53. The second part parallels Isaiah 54 and 55. Pray with rejoicing, expecting God to lead you into more of His great salvation today.

Sing to the Lord.
Psalm 22.26-28 (Darwall: Rejoice, the Lord is King)
The suff’ring King shall eat and praise with us the Lord.
Forever we His praise repeat and trust His Word.
Praise God above, all you who keep His vows and who His mercies love!

All nations shall repent and hasten to the Lord;
All those to whom His truth is sent shall praise His Word.
The Lord is King!  His sovereign rule on high now we His people sing!

T. M. Moore

Where do the prophets fit with the rest of Scripture? How can I be a better student of God’s Word? Our course, Introduction to Biblical Theology, can help you gain a better approach to and understanding of the Scriptures. Watch this brief preview video, then register at The Ailbe Seminary and enroll in this free online course.

Each week’s lesson in our study of Isaiah is available as a free PDF download at the end of the week (click here). Get a copy for yourself and send the link for the download to your friends. Plan to meet weekly to study Isaiah’s important message.

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006).All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter (available by clicking here).