Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 55-56
Poetry Reading: Psalm 86
New Testament: Book of James Intro – found below
Today’s Old Testament reading of Isaiah 55-56 is another encouraging message for those who reflect and return to God. Along with instructions to listen carefully, incline ears, and come to Him, we also read terms like mercy, compassion, and the phrase “abundantly pardon”. People who return to God ( a daily need it seems!) are not just scraping by in a free trial period or conditional agreement. They are abundantly pardoned. The preceding chapters told us how (and through whom) that works, and it is not through anything we do. We are unworthy, but when we seek Him, we are recipients of abundant love, provision, and pardon in ways we far too often take for granted.
Some of my favorite passages in the Bible are the ones that remind me that God’s ways are perfect, and He has a plan and understanding that is superior to mine. One example is Proverbs 16:9, and another is right here in Isaiah 55:9:
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways
And My thoughts than your thoughts.”
New American Standard Bible (La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 2020), Is 55:9.
I don’t know how you feel, but I read this and I say…..thank goodness!
As I was reading along in Isaiah 55 the reference to the plants stood out to me in verse 13. I really enjoy plants….learning about them, looking at them, growing them, sometimes killing them, watching perennials spread and annuals do their thing, seeing flowers turn into fruits, milkweed attract monarchs, learning about their medicinal and nutritional uses, smelling them. Pretty much, God’s creation of plants and nature are good things for us all around! (In fact, I learned a new term at work recently from a colleague who works with me with our pediatric patients who all need more time outside it seems, and if you haven’t heard of “forest bathing”…..it’s a thing!) But, back to verse 13. I was familiar with juniper, but wanted a reminder what the myrtle plant was that was going to replace stinging nettle.
And while I learned myrtle is apparently a lovely, fragrant, evergreen shrub, I also learned that it is quite Biblically significant. It is referenced as a choice plant according to Isaiah 41 and included in Zechariah’s prophecy. Interestingly, it also pops up in the book of Esther since her Hebrew name (instead of the Persian one), Hadassah, is the feminine form of the word “hadas” or “myrtle”. Jews and Christians celebrating the Feast of Booths often use myrtle in their sukkots and celebrations. In fact, that is coming up next week so myrtle of the world is undoubtedly getting ready to make some appearances!
But, whether or not you ever see or grow myrtle, the message of a beautiful, fragrant, fertile, eternal hope God has in store for you is one to keep alive no matter what!
Isaiah 56 continues to call God’s people to a pursuit of righteousness and obedience and shares the promise with those of us who may not be biological descendants of Jacob.
-Jennifer Hall
Reflection Questions:
1. Consider the abundant, complete, and perfect pardoning you have received regardless of the gunk in your life. Have you allowed God to share that forgiveness and hope?
2. What is hard about sharing forgiveness and mercy toward others as we are called to do as followers of Jesus? How can you extend abundant pardon toward another today?
3. As you reflect on God’s ways being higher than yours, how can you better trust and rely on Him to plan your steps and make sense of this world even when you don’t get it?
Book of James Introduction
The Book of James was written by a man named James, who was probably the brother of Jesus (Matthew 13:55) and the leader of the Jerusalem church (Acts 15:13). The book was written to the Jews who were scattered among the nations. These Jews were obviously persecuted based on the way James started chapter 1. These may have been Jews who were part of the Jerusalem church that were scattered after Stephen’s martyrdom (Acts 8:1).
The main point of the book is to encourage the reader to actively live faithfully for God. This can be summed up by looking at a couple of verses:
James 1:21 – Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.
James 1:22 – Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
James 2:17 – …faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
James 4:17 – Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins.
Here are some interesting verses about the author:
- Acts 12:17 – After Peter was rescued from prison, he told his friends to tell James and the other brothers and sisters…
- Acts 15:13 – James was an important member of the council that met in Jerusalem
- Acts 21:18 – Paul went to see James after Paul’s last missionary journey to give James a detailed report of his missionary journeys
- 1 Corinthians 15:7 – Jesus appeared to James, then to all the apostles
- Galatians 1:19 – Paul went to see James on his first trip to Jerusalem after his conversion
- Galatians 2:9 – Paul called James a pillar of the church
- Jude 1:1 – Jude identified himself as the brother of James
As you read the book of James, consider how it applies to you: How do you react during trials? How do you treat those who are less fortunate than yourself? How do you speak? Do you resist the devil and draw near to God? Are your prayers powerful and effective?
I’ll close with James 5:20, “remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his ways will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins.”
–Steve Mattison
Seek Grow Love 