Month: October 2022

Isaiah 44: God’s Forgiveness and Power

by Anastasia Irene, posted in Praise and Worship, Scripture, The Christian Walk, Theology

Isaiah 44 is a beautiful chapter that displays numerous attributes of our God. In verses 1-4, we find the Lord promising to pour His Spirit on His children. In verses 6-20, God reminds us that He is God and that idolatry is useless.

One of the key aspects of God’s character that is shown in Isaiah 44 is His great forgiveness. In verses 21-23, God tells Israel that He has formed them, that they are His servant, and that they will not be forgotten by Him. Then the Lord says that He has blotted out, like a thick cloud, their transgressions! He has obliterated their sins! He begs His people to return to Him, for He has redeemed them! This is such amazing news that all of creation is told to sing and shout for praise and joy! The Lord’s forgiveness through Jesus Christ is so marvelous and glorious that all of creation is in awe! May we accept the gift of His incomprehensible grace and forgiveness and spend all our days in humble service to Him.

God’s power is also spoken of in verses 24-28. It is seen in creation, for He has stretched out the heavens and spread abroad the earth by Himself. It is shown when He frustrates the wicked and confirms the word of His messengers. It is evident in His care for His people and His city Jerusalem. It is displayed in His sovereignty over all. Our God is all powerful!

God’s Promises: Isaiah 43

by Anastasia Irene, posted in Praise and Worship, Prayer, Scripture, The Christian Walk, Theology

Isaiah 43 is such a beautiful chapter. It is packed with priceless promises to each of God’s children throughout all time.

Fear not, God says! He has redeemed you, and He calls you by your name. If you are a true believer, your name is in His book of life, and you are His. No one can ever take you away from God, separate you from His love, or snatch you out of His hand. The first promise God wants us to remember is that we are His.

The second promise written in this chapter is written in verse 2. God will always be with you. Whether you pass through overwhelming oceans, floods of blessing, or scorching fire, He will be by your side. He has a purpose behind all pain and suffering, and you will never be alone. He will never leave you nor forsake you!

There are many more precious truths in the following section, but the one that particularly stands out is in verses 15-17. In verse 15, since the Lord is called our Holy One, the Creator of Israel, and our King, we infer that He will never sin or change; He will never forsake His creation, and He reigns sovereign over us all. In verses 16-17, God promises to work miracles and part the sea to make a way for His children. He will also judge those who rise against us, and He will not let them stop Him from accomplishing His purposes.

One of my favorite promises in this chapter is hidden in verses 18-19. God is doing a new thing in our lives! He will make our wilderness of wandering into a road to glory, and He will make rivers of joy spring up from our deserts of pain! He is doing a new work of restoration! Thus we can leave our past, figuratively “burn our ships,” and step into the new day God is providing! It is a continual process of consciously and willingly leaving the past, but God is faithful, and He will help us.

The last promise of this chapter–but perhaps the greatest one–is that of forgiveness. (vv.22-28) Just like God’s people Israel, we have rebelled against God and wearied Him with our sins. But if we confess, He blots out our sins, and He will not remember them! Isn’t that amazing? He will purposefully forget our iniquities through the blood of His Son! Alleluia!!

For what reason does God do all this for us? The answer is found in verse 21. God formed us for Himself, that we may declare His praise and glorify His name!! May we do so today!!