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The Scriptorium

God Forgotten

Israel's leaders did not remember God.

Promise and Rebuke: Isaiah 56, 57  (4)

Pray Psalm 43.5.
Why are you cast down, O my soul?
And why are you disquieted within me?
Hope in God;
For I shall yet praise Him,
The help of my countenance and my God.

Read Isaiah 57.11-13.

Reflect.
1. What made God think that the leaders of His people had “not remembered” Him?

2. What did God think of their “righteousness” and “works”? Why? 

Meditate.
In these verses, the Lord teaches us what to desire and how to possess it. We are to desire His promises, here symbolized by the land of promise (v. 13); and we are to seek His presence in holiness – His “holy mountain” or His salvation (v. 13). Whatever we do, we must not forget God, nor allow anything to come before Him.

The leaders of God’s people were relying on their “righteousness” and “works” (v. 12) to make them acceptable to the Lord. But these would not profit them, because they were the fruit of idolatry rather than of love for God and His promises (v. 12). Let them see if their idols will rescue them from the trial that is to come (v. 13). They will not.

All other desires and longings must be kept subservient to God and His promises, or they will become idols. This includes the desire for ease or comfort, or for significance or material prosperity – the failings of Israel’s leaders.

We cannot help but think of those who will come to Jesus at the last day, holding out their “good works” as the key to their acceptance with Him. But because they trusted in their works, which became idols, Jesus will send them away: “I never knew You” (Matt. 7.21-23).

Remember the Lord; fear, love, and serve Him. Then your works will please Him.

Prepare.
1. What does it look like when someone is forgetting God? How does that happen?

2. Why are our righteousness and our works of no “profit” (v. 12) with God?  

3. How can believers encourage one another to trust the Lord and seek His promises?


The church itself is the mountain … we are going to rise again, and we shall be the holy mountain of God. On this mountain dwells whoever has given himself to God. “But those who have given themselves to me shall possess the land and inhabit my holy mountain.” Augustine (354-430 AD), Sermon 45.3-5

Help me to remember You always, Lord, that I might…

Pray Psalm 43.

Let this psalm bring you into the presence of the Lord, to renew your love for and trust in Him for the day ahead.

Sing to the Lord.
Psalm 43 (Hyfrydol: Jesus, What a Friend for Sinners!)
Vindicate me, Jesus, plead for me! Make my case against my foes. 
Rescue me, do not ignore me, God of strength, relieve my woes! 
From deceitful men and spirits, from oppression, mourning sore: 
Heed my prayer, receive and hear it, keep me to You forever more. 

Let Your light and truth precede me, bring me to Your holy hill. 
To Your holy altar lead me, let me dwell within Your will. 
Lord, my joy and consolation, You, Who grace to me impart, 
hear my joyful adoration; I will praise You from the heart. 

When my weary soul is troubled, when despair upon me falls, 
let my hope in You be doubled, let me on Your mercy call. 
God, my help, my great salvation, I will praise You to Your face. 
In Your care my soul I station; let me know Your glorious grace!

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.

Forward today’s lesson to some friends, and challenge them to study with you through this series on Isaiah. Each week’s lessons will be available as a free PDF download at the end of the week. 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).

T.M. Moore

T. M. Moore is principal of The Fellowship of Ailbe, a spiritual fellowship in the Celtic Christian tradition. He and his wife, Susie, make their home in the Champlain Valley of Vermont.
Books by T. M. Moore

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