Isaiah records four "Servant Songs" in his prophecy. The last, and arguably the most famous, gives the portrayal of God's servant as one who will suffer on behalf of others. Importantly, we see this prophecy fulfilled in the Lord Jesus, very God of very God, who came and suffered and died for His people. But even more than this, we see that Jesus triumphs over sin and death and hell, and so too shall all those who belong to Him (cf. John 12:37-41, 1 Peter 2:19-25).

Isaiah 26 is one of those biblical passages that ties together so many of the bible's great themes of promise. "The strong city" of God stands at the forefront of the chapter. This city, personified by God's presence, is the very dwelling place of God. It is based upon Jerusalem of old, but finds its biblical fulfillment in the Church, the true people of God (cf. 1 Peter 2, Rev 21). May we all find safety in the New Jerusalem of God, the Church of Jesus Christ.

Isaiah 11 gives us a wonderful picture of what King Jesus is like. It also shows us, even beyond His character, what His rule and reign will accomplish. Truly we can except and hope in a complete renewal and transformation of all things under His Lordship. He will make all things new and will fix every problem that has every existed. Amen, Come Lord Jesus!

Isaiah begins to reveal the Gospel of our Lord Jesus in chapters 6 and 7 of his prophecy. In chapter 6, we see the Lord Jesus, seated on His throne in all of His glory. This is confirmed to us in John 12:41. But in chapter 7, the prophecy shifts gears to reveal to us that the great King of Kings will actually come in human form. Almighty God would come to earth, taking on human form, and being born in a miraculous way. And this sign would be the sign that confirms God's unbreakable covenant with His people. The baby-to-be-born shall be called Immanuel, which means "God with us".

God commands us to be grateful in this passage. But God also gives us the motivation and the ability to be thankful because of who the Lord Jesus Christ is. No matter who we are or what we are facing, God can and will enable a heart of gratitude to be ours through the power of His Holy Spirit.

James 5 explains that the LORD our God is patient in His steadfastness. But He is not absent or slow to action. God has been working from all of eternity to redeem a people to Himself, and He has promised to come again in the Lord Jesus Christ. The Christian must wait patiently, eagerly expecting the coming of the Lord. Without this hope, meaningful life is impossible.

In the last half of Matthew 18, Jesus teaches His disciples and He teaches us about the nature and the importance of church discipline. Church discipline has fallen out of regular use and practice in so many churches in our day and time. However, it is one of the historical hallmarks of the true churches of Jesus Christ. It is the way in which God the Father shows His love to His children as the book of Hebrews tells us. And more importantly, it is the fundamental and primary way that Jesus prepares His people to live with Him for all of eternity in the presence of our great and glorious God.

Jesus explains that all of His disciples must be humbled like little children. None of Christ's followers can take care of themselves but must ultimately rely on God the Father for everything. Even beyond this, Jesus also comforts His people with the image of the Good Shepherd nature of our God. Not one of His sheep can ever be lost.

Jesus instructs His disciples that God will provide all that they need for life and godliness. Because of His life and work, the followers of Christ are even made to be God's sons, heirs by faith. This will ultimately have the result of freeing Jesus' disciples to live for God and to serve others sacrificially. May we all learn to do that as we also learn to lean on the provision of God's grace in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Jesus heals a boy with epilepsy that is caused by a demon in this passage of Scripture. Despite the father's or the disciples' inability to deal with the situation, Jesus lovingly heals this child, while also teaching His people a very important truth: with Jesus, all things are possible. There is nothing that our God cannot do in order that His glory might go forth. May this bring all of us encouragement today.