Mighty to Save: Isaiah 63, 64 (2)

Pray Psalm 103.1-5.
Bless the LORD, O my soul;
And all that is within me, bless His holy name!
Bless the LORD, O my soul,
And forget not all His benefits:
Who forgives all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases,
Who redeems your life from destruction,
Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,
Who satisfies your mouth with good things,
So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

Read Isaiah 63.7-9.

Reflect.
1. Which aspects of God’s lovingkindness does Isaiah recall here?

2. Why did he think it was important to remind the people of Judah and Jerusalem of God’s lovingkindness?

Meditate.
Isaiah has just spoken of the lovingkindness God intends to show His people through the work of the Servant. But that’s in the future. They’re facing some hard times ahead, and they might struggle to hold on to the vision of coming salvation. 

But God had shown Himself to be loving and kind toward His people in the past, and Isaiah did not want them to lose sight of this (v. 7). With that in mind, perhaps, he reminded the people of his day of the lovingkindness God had shown them in the past, when He brought them out of Egypt, sustained them through the wilderness, and led them into the land of promise (v. 9).

Why is God so kind to His people? Because they are His people, His children (v. 8). He has chosen them and redeemed them, and He will not let them go. He may have to discipline them for a season, but only to renew their trust in Him and their hope in His promises.

Given what God has done for His people in the past, and what He promises to do in the days to come, the only proper response is not to despair, not to get angry, and not to feel abandoned by God, but to praise Him, and in praising Him, to be renewed in His mercies and steadfast love (v. 7).

This is good advice for God’s people in every age. Never lose sight of all the good things God has done for us in the past, and is doing for us in the present. And though the times may be challenging and fraught with trials, praise God for His lovingkindness, and look ahead to the greater lovingkindness of God yet to come, when Shiloh, the Servant of the Lord, brings the Kingdom of God to fullness, and all creation to the goodness of the Lord.

Prepare.
1. Suggest some ways you might be more diligent and consistent in recounting the blessings of the Lord each day.

2. How can thinking about the goodness and lovingkindness of the Lord, and all His great and precious promises, help us through times of trial and difficulty? 

3. Isaiah encouraged the people of his day with these words. Whom can you encourage today by reminding them of the lovingkindness of the Lord?

Now he will save them himself, finding nothing worthwhile in them, but only because he loved them and cared for them. This is a strong visible sign of his unequaled philanthropy and the calmness of divinity. For he saved them from the house of slavery, carried them and raised them up. Cyril of Alexandria (375-444 AD), Commentary on Isaiah 5.5.63.7-10

Lord, I want to count Your many blessings today, because…

Pray Psalm 103.
Let this psalm lead you to praise God for all the many ways His lovingkindness reaches you each day.

Sing to the Lord.
Psalm 103 (Old 100^th: All Creatures That On Earth Do Dwell)
O my soul, bless the Lord’s great Name! His many benefits proclaim:
He pardons sins and heals disease, and from the pit grants us release.

With mercy rich and steadfast love He satisfies us from above,
Revives our youth, works righteousness, and justice serves for the oppressed.

His ways to Moses He made known; to Israel His great works were shown.
The Lord is full of mercy sweet, and with His favor does us meet.

To anger He but slowly goes; abounding love to us He shows.
He will not always scold nor chide; His anger will not e’er abide.

Our sins He casts from us away; He shows compassion every day.
He knows our frame, that we are dust, so on His goodness let us trust.

Now as for us like grass we fail, though for a time our flesh prevail.
God’s Spirit blows across our face and withers sinners in their place.

But evermore to those who fear the Lord brings loving kindness near; 
His righteousness to them extends and to their children without end.

He rules upon His throne in heav’n; His sovereign rule o’er all is giv’n.
You angels, bless the Lord, rejoice, who live in strength to heed His voice.

All you who serve Him, bless the Lord, all you who heed His righteous Word!
Let all throughout the cosmos whole unite to praise Him, with my soul!

T. M. Moore

How great is the salvation which is ours in Jesus Christ? Download the three installments of our free study, Such a Great Salvation, and learn for yourself (click here). Do you know that God has called you as a joy-bringer to your world? Our booklet, Joy to Your World!, can show you how to fulfill this calling (click here).

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).