Word for the day by Christian Education Forum
Sing to the Lord
Isaiah 44:1-8
6 “This is what the LORD says— Israel’s King and Redeemer, the LORD Almighty: I am the first and I am the last; apart from me there is no God. (Isaiah 44:7)
Devotion
Isaiah is the first Major Prophet in the Bible, who lived in Jerusalem from 740 to 680 B.C., under the reign of four Kings of Judah—Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, Hezekiah (1:1). Isaiah, whose name means “The Lord is salvation” ministered primarily to the people of Judah. Bible scholars consider Isaiah as the greatest Old Testament (OT) Prophet, with a brilliant writing style and rich vocabulary, more quoted in the New Testament (NT) than any other OT prophet, including prophesies on the life and ministry of Jesus. The Book of Isaiah is fundamentally an account of God’s judgment on (1-39), as well as a message of hope for (40-66), the people of the Southern Kingdom of Judah, Northern Kingdom of Israel, and their pagan neighbors. The interplay between judgment and salvation in Isaiah also provides a firm foundation for the Gospel theme of the NT, wherein Jesus Christ—God in human flesh, the Suffering Servant (53:1-12)—became an atoning sacrifice for the sins of humanity on the cross of calvary.
The devotional passage (44:1-8) consists of two sections: (i) God’s blessings on Israel (v.1-5); (ii) There is no other God (v.6-8). In the first section, the LORD God reaffirms His eternal covenant with His chosen people of Israel, promising to pour out His spirit and blessings on them. The second section provides an unquestionable proclamation of the LORD (YHWH) as the only God, the First and the Last, assuring Israel, “Do not fear, nor be afraid.” More than 75 years later, God providentially used Nebuchadnezzar—the Babylonian King who laid siege to Jerusalem as the Southern Kingdom fell in 586 B.C. (2 Kings 25:1-21), following the fall of the Northern Kingdom to the Assyrians in 722 B.C. (2 Kings 17:5-23)—to confess to Daniel, “Truly your God is the God of gods, the Lord of kings.” (Daniel 2:47) as he interpreted the King’s unrevealed dream.
As Apostle Peter has taught in his epistle, believers are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, called out of darkness into His marvelous light, to proclaim His praises (1 Peter 2:9). Believers must also trust Jesus as the way, the truth, and the life, as the only way to the Father (John 14:6), and for salvation (Acts 4:12), and live the promised abundant life. Believers must heed the LORD’s call, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” (Isaiah 6:8) and obey in humble submission, “Here I am! Send me”, like Isaiah.
6 “This is what the LORD says— Israel’s King and Redeemer, the LORD Almighty: I am the first and I am the last; apart from me there is no God. (Isaiah 44:7)
Devotion
Isaiah is the first Major Prophet in the Bible, who lived in Jerusalem from 740 to 680 B.C., under the reign of four Kings of Judah—Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, Hezekiah (1:1). Isaiah, whose name means “The Lord is salvation” ministered primarily to the people of Judah. Bible scholars consider Isaiah as the greatest Old Testament (OT) Prophet, with a brilliant writing style and rich vocabulary, more quoted in the New Testament (NT) than any other OT prophet, including prophesies on the life and ministry of Jesus. The Book of Isaiah is fundamentally an account of God’s judgment on (1-39), as well as a message of hope for (40-66), the people of the Southern Kingdom of Judah, Northern Kingdom of Israel, and their pagan neighbors. The interplay between judgment and salvation in Isaiah also provides a firm foundation for the Gospel theme of the NT, wherein Jesus Christ—God in human flesh, the Suffering Servant (53:1-12)—became an atoning sacrifice for the sins of humanity on the cross of calvary.
The devotional passage (44:1-8) consists of two sections: (i) God’s blessings on Israel (v.1-5); (ii) There is no other God (v.6-8). In the first section, the LORD God reaffirms His eternal covenant with His chosen people of Israel, promising to pour out His spirit and blessings on them. The second section provides an unquestionable proclamation of the LORD (YHWH) as the only God, the First and the Last, assuring Israel, “Do not fear, nor be afraid.” More than 75 years later, God providentially used Nebuchadnezzar—the Babylonian King who laid siege to Jerusalem as the Southern Kingdom fell in 586 B.C. (2 Kings 25:1-21), following the fall of the Northern Kingdom to the Assyrians in 722 B.C. (2 Kings 17:5-23)—to confess to Daniel, “Truly your God is the God of gods, the Lord of kings.” (Daniel 2:47) as he interpreted the King’s unrevealed dream.
As Apostle Peter has taught in his epistle, believers are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, called out of darkness into His marvelous light, to proclaim His praises (1 Peter 2:9). Believers must also trust Jesus as the way, the truth, and the life, as the only way to the Father (John 14:6), and for salvation (Acts 4:12), and live the promised abundant life. Believers must heed the LORD’s call, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” (Isaiah 6:8) and obey in humble submission, “Here I am! Send me”, like Isaiah.
Prayer
“Oh, sing to the Lord a new song! Sing to the Lord, all the earth. Sing to the Lord, bless His name; Proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day.” (Psalm 96:1-2)
Thought for the Day
Like the LORD our God, we should be people like no other.
Dr. Cherian Samuel
Immanuel Mar Thoma Church, Virginia.
“Oh, sing to the Lord a new song! Sing to the Lord, all the earth. Sing to the Lord, bless His name; Proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day.” (Psalm 96:1-2)
Thought for the Day
Like the LORD our God, we should be people like no other.
Dr. Cherian Samuel
Immanuel Mar Thoma Church, Virginia.