Isaiah 54 – 58 and No Justice for Ashley Moser’s Unborn Child

Isaiah 54 – 58

Isaiah’s message to Jerusalem is one of hope, for the Lord has called you back from your grief. God is going to have compassion on Jerusalem with everlasting love. He will rebuild Jerusalem and it will be secure. The Lord appeals to the thirsty to come and drink. “Seek the Lord while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near.” This is always great advice.

We also learn that God’s thoughts are nothing like our thoughts and his ways are far beyond anything your could imagine. Not only is Israel going to be blessed, but so will the foreigners. The Temple will be called a house of prayer for all nations. He also says “I will bring others too, besides my people Israel.” The Lord condemns the leaders who do not follow his ways.

I have always found Isaiah 57:1 comforting when some dies “before their time.” “Good people pass away; the godly often die before their time. But no one seems to care or wonder why. No one seems to understand that God is protecting them from the evil to come.”

God condemns those who worship idols, those who sacrifice their children, who commit adultery. He challenges them to see if their idols can save them. Still, he is always ready to forgive.

Isaiah 58 is a wonderful discussion of fasting and how fasting to please themselves does no good. Going through the motions does no good. We cannot expect our fasting to have any benefit unless:

• Those who are wrongly imprisoned are set free
• The oppressed are set free
• Your food is shared with the hungry
• Shelter is given to the homeless
• Clothes are given to those who need them
• Help is given to relatives
• You are godly
• You don’t spread vicious rumors
• You keep the Sabbath day holy
• Honor the Sabbath in everything you do on that day
• Don’t follow your own desires or talk idly

If we fast as God demands:

• Your salvation will come like the dawn
• Your wounds will quickly heal
• Your godliness will lead you forward
• The glory of the Lord will protect you from behind
• When you call, the Lord will answer
• The Lord will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength
• You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring
• You will be given great honor

Tomorrow, we’ll be reading Isaiah 59 - 63.

No Justice for Ashley Moser’s Unborn Child

Ashley Moser, mother of the six-year old who was killed in the Aurora Theater shootings, miscarried her unborn child as a result of being shot herself.  The alleged shooter will not be charged for this death because of a Colorado law that says homicide may only be charged for someone who has been born and is alive. How tragic!

Until next time…