Read Isaiah 64
Highlights In Today's Reading:
In these final chapters are prayers for mercy and forgiveness from a God who is silent (chap. 64). Those pleading confess their sin and praise His deeds (64:4-7). God will spare His true servants (65:1-10). The rebirth of His nation and His promise (66:7-9,22).
Northern Israel's 13-year collapse (II Kin. 15:29; 17:6) had be gun. Now, eight years after the fall, the small kingdom of Judah was being brought very low (Is. 36:1) because there is none that calleth upon Thy Name, that stirreth up himself to take hold of Thee: for Thou hast hid Thy face from us . . . because of our iniquities (64:7). The majority of the people had abandoned the Lord and had turned to the false gods of neighboring countries.
These mountains of evil from within, and the resulting mountains of opposition from without, compelled Isaiah to plead: Since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside Thee, what He hath prepared for him that waiteth for Him (64:1-4).
Like Isaiah, we too must cry out in prayer, confessing the sins of our nation — that the mountains (of evil opposition to the Lord) might flow down at Thy presence in answer to prayer (64:1).
Only a small minority was loyal to the Lord. In Judah, the Word of God had been ignored: I have spread out My hands all the day unto a rebellious people, which walketh in a way that was not good, after their own thoughts (65:2).
It may even seem that our relationship with the Lord is hindered by what appear to be insurmountable problems — as though they were mountains that seem to rob our lives of spiritual power. But we need not fear. The Lord would have us recognize how He, the Mighty God of the universe, will protect, provide, and guide all who discipline themselves to be that minority while continuing to pray as Isaiah did.
Every “mountain” can be overcome without exception because greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world (I John 4:4).
Paul quoted Isaiah 64:4 to the Corinthian church: Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him (I Cor. 2:9).
Thought for Today:
The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon Him, to all that call upon Him in truth (Ps. 145:18).
Christ Revealed:
As the Creator of new heavens and a new earth (Is. 65:17; 66:22; compare John 1:1-3; II Pet. 3:13). As the One whose glory will be declared among the nations (Is. 66:18-19; Rev. 5:12-13).
Word Studies:
64:3 terrible = awesome, revered greatly, greatly to be feared; 64:11 are laid waste = have been destroyed; 65:14 howl for vexation of spirit = cry out in misery; 66:6 voice = sound.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for English International Shortwave Broadcast in memory of Rev. Leonard P. Miller • Staff: Karen Hawkins • Government Officials: Rep. Lincoln Diaz-Balart (FL) and Rep. Peter Visclosky (IN) • Country: Algeria (31.5 million) in North Africa • Major languages: Arabic and French • Opposition to the Gospel is intense • 96.7% Muslim; 3% non-Religious; .29% Christian; .01% Baha'i • Prayer Suggestion: Pray and fast as you confess your sins and intercede for our nation (Neh. 1:4-6).
Optional Reading: 1 Peter 3
Memory Verse for the Week: Matthew 10:28