In this chapter, Isaiah tells the people to get ready because the Lord is going to bring His people back to Jerusalem. Here’s the chapter in its entirety: “Wake up, wake up, O Zion! Clothe yourselves with strength. Put on your beautiful clothes, O holy city of Jerusalem, for unclean and godless people will no longer enter your gates. Rise from the dust, O Jerusalem. Remove the slave bands from your neck, O captive daughter of Zion. For this is what the Lord says: “When I sold you into exile, I received no payment. Now I can redeem you without paying for you.”
This is what the Sovereign Lord says: “Long ago my people went to live as resident foreigners in Egypt. Now they have been oppressed without cause by Assyria. And now, what is this?” asks the Lord. “Why are my people enslaved again? Those who rule them shout in exultation. My name is being blasphemed all day long. But I will reveal my name to my people, and they will come to know its power. Then at last they will recognize that it is I who speaks to them.” (Lord, help us recognize your name and your power NOW!)
How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news of peace and salvation, the news that the God of Israel reigns! The watchmen shout and sing with joy, for before their very eyes they see the Lord bringing his people home to Jerusalem. Let the ruins of Jerusalem break into joyful song, for the Lord has comforted his people. He has redeemed Jerusalem. The Lord will demonstrate his holy power before the eyes of all the nations. The ends of the earth will see the salvation of our God. (Yes, Lord!)
Go now, leave your bonds and slavery. Put Babylon behind you, with everything it represents, for it is unclean to you. You are the Lord’s holy people. Purify yourselves, you who carry home the vessels of the Lord. You will not leave in a hurry, running for your lives. For the Lord will go ahead of you, and the God of Israel will protect you from behind.” (Yes, Lord! We can take our time and walk in peace from our enemies, knowing that the Lord is protecting us from the front and back!. How many times has the Lord surveyed the road ahead of us, and diverted our path from complete destruction??? The answer is so many times we can’t even count them. Lord, thank you for saving me from myself!!! Before you stepped in and rerouted my path, I was ready to give up the beautiful life you had already given me. Lord, you are amazing!)
The Lord’s Suffering Servant
See, my servant will prosper; he will be highly exalted. Many were amazed when they saw him – beaten and bloodied, so disfigured one would scarcely know he was a person. And he will again startle many nations. Kings will stand speechless in his presence. For they will see what they had not previously been told about; they will understand what they had not heard about. (Isaiah 52) (Like Jesus, if we serve the Lord, we, too, will prosper.)
Lord, thank you for your Word today! Thank you for being our Lord and Savior! Thank you for being our Shepherd and protecting your sheep, for we sometimes lose our way. Help us remain close to you, serving you, trusting in you, and acknowledging you in all things, so when we falter, you are there to redirect our paths, lift us to our feet, and/or carry us. Lord, we love you!
May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace.” (Numbers 6:24-26)
….AND MAY WE ALL PRACTICE THIS WITH ONE ANOTHER.
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