God’s Guiding Word: Promise

June 16

Introduction

Isaiah 30:8–18: Today’s reading describes the ways in which the people rebel against God. But the LORD is merciful and stands ready to take pity on them.

Today’s Key Verse: Isaiah 30:15a

The Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says to the people, “Come back and quietly trust in me. Then you will be strong and secure.”

Reading

⁸ God told me to write down in a book what the people are like, so that there would be a permanent record of how evil they are. ⁹ They are always rebelling against God, always lying, always refusing to listen to the Lord’s teachings. ¹⁰ They tell the prophets to keep quiet. They say, “Don’t talk to us about what’s right. Tell us what we want to hear. Let us keep our illusions. ¹¹ Get out of our way and stop blocking our path. We don’t want to hear about your holy God of Israel.”

¹² But this is what the holy God of Israel says: “You ignore what I tell you and rely on violence and deceit. ¹³ You are guilty. You are like a high wall with a crack running down it; suddenly you will collapse. ¹⁴ You will be shattered like a clay pot, so badly broken that there is no piece big enough to pick up hot coals with or to dip water from a cistern.”

¹⁵ The Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says to the people, “Come back and quietly trust in me. Then you will be strong and secure.” But you refuse to do it. ¹⁶ Instead, you plan to escape from your enemies by riding fast horses. And you are right—escape is what you will have to do! You think your horses are fast enough, but those who pursue you will be faster! ¹⁷ A thousand of you will run away when you see one enemy soldier, and five soldiers will be enough to make you all run away. Nothing will be left of your army except a lonely flagpole on the top of a hill. ¹⁸ And yet the Lord is waiting to be merciful to you. He is ready to take pity on you because he always does what is right. Happy are those who put their trust in the Lord.

Reflect

Reread verses 8–11. How is the disobedience of the people described? According to verses 12–14, what is God’s response to the people’s disobedience? What does verse 18 teach you about God?

Pray

Sovereign Lord, whenever I stray from your teachings, you are there, waiting to be merciful to me when I seek your forgiveness and seek to be restored and reconciled to you. I thank and praise you for the safety and security found in your everlasting love. Amen.

Tomorrow’s Reading

Isaiah 30:19–26: God will bless the people.