Transcript

Today's Bible Translation

Bible translation used in today's episode: Ch. 51 NLV; Ch. 52-55 NCV

Podcast Introduction

This Prophecy Friday. Our reading will be Isaiah 51-55. Yes, just like I did on yesterday’s reading of Job, I did it on Isaiah. Today should be 56-61, according to our schedule, but I did that last week, skipping chapters 51-55. I have to say, I’m never quite sure what day it is because I typically live in two days simultaneously, because I typically record a day in advance. If you are listening to this show on the day it was released, for you, this is Friday…depending on where on the globe you live. But I recorded it on Thursday. So I’m living in Thursday and talking to you on Friday. And every so often, when I know something will be happening in my life at sometime in the future and I know I will not be able to record a show for you, I’ll be living in yet another day. And sometimes I have to record multiple days ahead. And it can really warp the time/space continuum for a bit. You say, Steve, come on. It isn’t that hard. Well, I would challenge you to do it for multiple months, and years at a time. After awhile, it can get to you. Or maybe it’s just me and my old brain. Anyway, I messed up the schedule last week twice. At least I’m not so far gone that I didn’t catch my mistake. That’s a good thing, right? LOL I’m calling todays episode, “Thirsty?.”

And it’s December 16th, which means Christmas Question number 16 is up, sent in by Clay Jones. Of course, our Christmas expert, James Cooper of whychristmas.com has an answer for him.

Design: Steve Webb | Photo: Pablo Molina on Unsplash

Comments on Isaiah 55

Let’s go back to chapter 55, shall we? To whom was this chapter written? Do you remember? Verse one tells us: The Lord says, “All you who are thirsty,…

ALL who are thirsty. No one is left out. Every person who is thirsty is invited to come and drink. Doesn’t every person experience thirst? Of course. And God, He of infinite mercy, is the supplier of water that refreshes and gives everlasting life.

He says, “Come to me and listen; listen to me so you may live.” Is your faith weak? Do you have doubt? Let me remind you that Romans 10:17 says that “faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the Word of God.” You need more faith? Then listen to the Word of God. As you listen, your faith grows. And it is faith in Jesus that brings life.

“But Steve,” you say. “That seems too easy. I know what I’ve done in my life, and I know that I have not been a good person. How can just believing be enough? Surely I have to do something to pay for the things I’ve done.”

Well did you hear what the Lord said in verse 8 of chapter 55? He said, “My thoughts are not like your thoughts. Your ways are not like my ways. Just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.”

Trying to make sense out of God’s provision is a fool’s errand. All we can do is accept it and be thankful for it.

As far as paying for our bad deeds, let’s look again at the first verse. God says, “Those of you who do not have money, come, buy and eat! Come buy wine and milk without money and without cost.”

You can’t buy forgiveness with money or with deeds. If you could, you couldn’t afford it, anyway.

Make no mistake, there was a cost, but it was borne by Jesus, because He was the only One who could pay it. And now He offers the forgiveness He bought with His blood, to you.

Verse 12 of our chapter says, “So you will go out with joy and be led out in peace. The mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees in the fields will clap their hands.”

If you are tired of the fighting and strife that is all around us, if the ugliness has worked its way into your heart and your mind, if you want the joy and the peace of God, it can be yours right now, for free, if you’ll just put your faith in this God who loves...