Join our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/2183117951984132/?source_id=181918175166472

August 1st

Our bible reading today is in the last three chapters of the book of Isaiah...chapters 64, 65, 66.

In chapters 63,64, the prophet is praying. Isaiah is interceding to God on behalf of himself and the whole of God’s people.

“Oh that you Lord would rend the heavens and come down, that the mountains might quake at your presence—”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭64:1‬ ‭ESV‬‬

God our Savior...Elohim...come down...like you did at Sinai...where the mountains quaked and the sky was filled with the fire and cloud of your presence. Come down like that Lord...that awe and conviction would fill the hearts and minds of your people today just like our forefathers and mothers experienced You years ago.

When I read Isaiah’s intercession here, I can't help but apply it to the second coming of Christ. O Lord Jesus, you promised your first disciples at the time of your ascension into heaven that you would return to the earth in glory one day. We are still listening for the trumpet blast that will gather your people on earth and your people from the grave to meet you in the air. As the apostle, John said in the last chapter of the Revelation...”Come, Lord Jesus...Come...!”

We plead as Isaiah did. Rend the heavens. Come down. Do as you purposed to do all along. Make all things new.

When Isaiah prayed this prayer, he was broken over his sin and broken over the sinning of the rest of God’s people. O how he wanted God to do something that would awaken Israel spiritually. “as when fire kindles brushwood and the fire causes water to boil— “Isaiah was praying that the “fire” of God’s presence would fall upon Israel and melt their cold hearts and set aflame once again their hearts toward God and for God’s purposes for them.

Isaiah prayed that God would so invade Israel spiritually, that the nations of the world would not only notice but also tremble at what God was doing.

Oh Lord, do that in your church today. Start with me. Let your fire fall on me and set my soul aflame once again for Thee and your people and the world which desperately needs the Gospel unto salvation.

“We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment. We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭64:6‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Isaiah bewailed his own sins before God. He confessed them. He didn't hide them anymore. He humbly admitted his disobedience to God, and was most sorrowful. He confessed to God that his sins had carried him away from God. And that he had been living in the soiled garment of sin too long.

Isaiah prayed...”Lord, even in our sin...You are still our Father... “Be not so terribly angry, O Lord, and remember not iniquity forever. Behold, please look, we are all your people.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭64:9‬ ‭

In chapters 65,66...God answers Isaiah’s plea...“I spread out my hands all the day to a rebellious people, who walk in a way that is not good, following their own devices;”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭65:2‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Oh friends, do we not see Jesus her? From the mount of olives...looking upon Jerusalem...”Jerusalem how long I waited for you...longing to gather you as a hen gathers her chicks...”

Isaiah knew his God...his Father...his Savior...we know Him too in Christ. We too take hold of him in repentance and faith. Come, Lord Jesus!

Have a great day