I am using One Year Bible Online for my daily Bible study. For today, One Year Bible Online links here. I have found that by writing this daily blog of what I see when I read these scriptures, I get more out of them. I hope that by posting these ruminations others may get some benefit as well. If you have any thoughts or comments regarding these verses or what I have written about them, please post them.
Today’s passage begins by telling us that in the day of salvation we will sing praises to the Lord. Isaiah perceived the day of salvation to be that day still to come when Cyrus, king of the Persians, allowed the Jews to begin rebuilding Jerusalem. However, I believe that the day of salvation refers to something more than that. In addition to the time of Cyrus, it refers to the time after someone has accepted Christ as their Savior. I am certainly going to sing the following;
I will trust in him and not be afraid.
The Lord God is my strength and my song;
he has given me victory.”
I will sing to the Lord and tell the nations what He has done. Or, at least, I will strive to have the courage to do so.
After discussing the day of salvation, Isaiah issues a prophecy concerning the fall of Babylon. Isaiah gives this prophecy about the fall of Babylon while Assyria is still the dominant power in the area. He then follows the prophecy against Babylon with a short prophecy about the fall of both Assyria and Philistia.
Within the prophecy about the fall of Babylon are some images and prophecies, that, like those about the day of salvation, apply beyond the time for which Isaiah foresaw them.
and the wicked for their sin.
I will crush the arrogance of the proud
and humble the pride of the mighty.”
The day of the Lord’s judgement is coming when He will display His anger against those who oppress the innocent and powerless. The Bible is clear that both God’s mercy and His judgement will be displayed. There is an urgency to telling our friends and neighbors about God’s wondrous saving mercy, because His day of judgement will not be long withheld.
Paul concludes his second (third?) letter to the Corinthians by warning them that he will deal with those who continue in sin when he next visits them. Paul tells them that God’s power will be shown through his own weakness, just as it was displayed through the weakness of Christ’s crucifixion. Paul tells us to examine ourselves to see if our faith is genuine. We must not do what is wrong, but instead we should stand for the truth and do what is right. Like Paul we should strive to strengthen those around us and be willing to appear weak so that others may appear strong.
Cry out to God for mercy and hide beneath the shadow of His wings. God’s love and faithfulness are unfailing and He will shelter those who call on Him. Let us sing His praises among the nations.
Today’s first proverb instructs us not to waste our time trying to convince the foolish, as they will not listen to wise advice. The second proverb warns against cheating our neighbors and taking advantage of the fatherless, because God Himself will take up their case.