Week 39: Living Promises

This week's Bible reading plan is as follows:

*Sunday: Isaiah 41:17-43:13; Ephesians 2:1-22; Psalm 67:1-7; Proverbs 23:29-35
*Monday: Isaiah 43:14-45:10; Ephesians 3:1-21; Psalm 68:1-18; Proverbs 24:1-2
*Tuesday: Isaiah 45:11-48:11; Ephesians 4:1-16; Psalm 68:19-35; Proverbs 24:3-4
*Wednesday: Isaiah 48:12-50:11; Ephesians 4:17-32; Psalm 69:1-18; Proverbs 24:5-6
*Thursday: Isaiah 51:1-53:12; Ephesians 5:1-33; Psalm 69:19-36; Proverbs 24:7
*Friday: Isaiah 54:1-57:14; Ephesians 6:1-24; Psalm 70:1-5; Proverbs 24:8
*Saturday: Isaiah 57:15-59:21; Philippians 1:1-26; Psalm 71:1-24; Proverbs 24:9-10

This week's S.O.A.P. reflection is taken from Isaiah:

Scripture: Isaiah 43:1b-3a
Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you.

I have called you by name; you are mine.

When you go through deep waters,
 I will be with you.

When you go through rivers of difficulty,
 you will not drown.

When you walk through the fire of oppression,

you will not be burned up;
 the flames will not consume you.

For I am the Lord, your God,
 the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.

Observation:
One thing I love about reading Scripture in the One-Year format is the combination of readings from the Old and New Testaments. When I first read this passage from Isaiah, I had my professor hat on and interpreted it in its historical-cultural context. I understood the prophet to be addressing Israel during a particularly difficult point in its history. These prophetic words were life giving and hope infusing. But they were written for a certain people at a specific point in history.

However, when I read the passage from Ephesians 2, which states that Jesus united the Jews and Gentiles into one people through his body on the cross, I realized afresh that God’s words through Isaiah speak directly to me in the here-and-now!

It's a beautiful thing to hear God speak directly to us: "Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine." It is wonderful to hear God's comforting promise, "When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown." No matter what I face in life, I can rest assured that God will deliver me from it. And I can take these promises to the bank because they bear the signature of “the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior."

Application:
I want to sit with this word from God today and let it soak into my being. I want to let its soothing warmth wash over me and wring every ounce of stress from my soul. This is God’s word to me...and to you.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, your word is living, active, and sharper than any two-edged sword. It is as current today...and as meaningful to your people today...as it was when you first spoke it to your inspired writers. Today I rest in you and in your grace. Because you are my God, I have nothing to fear...and I have every reason to rejoice, no matter what my circumstances are. Thank you most of all for Jesus, who secures my salvation and brings all your promises to life. Amen!

Have a great week reading God's word!

Faithfully,
Chuck