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April 29 + Daily notes & readings

DAY 119

We are taking 6 days to read Psalm 119.  Yes, it has that many verses!  If you want to know how to read the Bible, take in all the words of Psalm 119.  It's not about reading for reading's sake.  It's about pursuing the heart of God.

Today's Bible Project video talks about the way Jesus announced and spreads the news of God's kingdom.


DAILY READINGS

Isaiah 42-44 & Psalm 119:1-32

DAILY NOTES

Isaiah 42
  • A servant of God is announced.  This chosen one of God will have God's spirit and bring justice to the world.  
    • This is one of several "servant songs" written in Isaiah.
  • His arrival is a part of God's redemption plan.
  • A hymn of praise springs forth as a result.  
  • God's redemption comes even though Israel has been disobedient.
Isaiah 43
  • God promises that the people who have been scattered will return.
    • What about those taken by Assyria?
  • This new thing of God will take the place of the suffering and punishment the people have endured.  
  • According the Verse 21, this is done so that the people may praise God again.
Isaiah 44
  • The people will take delight in being called God's people.  I would hope so!
  • Of course, there will be some whose dependence on idols will keep them from knowing this freedom of God.  According verses 18-19, those people don't even realize how silly they are being by creating worshiped idols from the same tree they cook and get heat from.
Psalm 119
  • We're going to be talking about lot about God's precepts and following those commandments.

OTHER OBSERVATIONS

Have you wondered why we keep hearing many of the same things?

In Isaiah, we've heard again and again that God is our Creator.  God has done much for us.  We've heard about the futility of idols.  Repeatedly, we've heard about idols.  We've heard many times about how we turned from God.

We've also heard, and will hear much more, about the promise of our future.

You know why we repeat things.  One, so we don't forget.  But also because sometimes people aren't paying attention the first time.  And, of course, some things are that important they should be repeated.

Since these themes will continue to be repeated, my suggestion is that we take time to consider what they mean to our faith today.  Yes, they mean something for our faith today!

Stay blessed...john
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