It's Day 15 and we're in Isaiah 61.
One reason to be in the Bible regularly? It cuts through the clutter. We are surrounded by tons of information, but so much of it is essentially irrelevant to a meaningful life. The Bible speaks to the issues that matter.
Where God Spoke To Me:
- Verse 1 - These are the verses Jesus quoted as He began His ministry. They tell us so much about the kind of Kingdom He intended: one for the brokenhearted, the poor, the captive.
If you want to read the chapter online, here's a link.
If you have a question or comment, email me at butcher@ymail.com.
Your Questions and Comments:
- Isaiah 11:1--5. "I read a commentary that this is talking about the Messiah when he reigns in the New Earth after the tribulation. You said we have this same Spirit. Do we have this Spirit now, as in the Holy Spirit who comes to reside with us when we're saved? Or the Spirit we will have in our glorified eternal body?
If this is the Spirit we have now, a lost world should see believers who:
are wise (by God's word not worldly wisdom),
are understanding (we can't understand someone if we don't take time to listen)
are counselors (not my own ideas or opinions but direct people to the Word)
fear the Lord (not follow a bunch of rules but know that God loves us)
aren't judgmental (we don't draw conclusions on what we see or hear)
use words wisely (know scripture to slay the wicked and to speak life)
And the result if we exhibit this Spirit now? A belt of righteousness and a sash of faithfulness (vs. 6). Accessories that go with everything!" - It's the same Holy Spirit in each case.
- A comment from a 60IN60 participant. "There’s a hymn connected with this passage in Isaiah, called 'Here I am, Lord,' and every time I hear it I either cry or hold back tears. Here’s why: Years ago, I attended a large Methodist Church in which the left front rows had been sanctioned off for handicapped children. Some had Down’s syndrome, others had cerebral palsy, one child was in a wheelchair, etc. The church provided special helpers to get them in and out of the pews. One Sunday, I was in the balcony and 'Here I am, Lord' was the closing hymn. I looked down just as the song entered 'Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord?', and saw that every one of those children had their hands up, waving, but for the little girl in the wheelchair who could raise only one. I started crying because it made me feel like a hypocrite. Still does."
