God’s Guiding Word: Promise

June 17

Introduction

Isaiah 30:19–26: Today’s reading focuses on God’s compassion, steadfast presence, and guiding voice. Being led by God and obeying God’s words leads to being blessed and restored to God.

Today’s Key Verse: Isaiah 30:19b

The LORD is compassionate, and when you cry to him for help, he will answer you.

Reading

¹⁹ You people who live in Jerusalem will not weep any more. The Lord is compassionate, and when you cry to him for help, he will answer you. ²⁰ The Lord will make you go through hard times, but he himself will be there to teach you, and you will not have to search for him any more. ²¹ If you wander off the road to the right or the left, you will hear his voice behind you saying, “Here is the road. Follow it.” ²² You will take your idols plated with silver and your idols covered with gold, and will throw them away like filth, shouting, “Out of my sight!” ²³ Whenever you plant your crops, the Lord will send rain to make them grow and will give you a rich harvest, and your livestock will have plenty of pasture. ²⁴ The oxen and donkeys that plow your fields will eat the finest and best fodder. ²⁵ On the day when the forts of your enemies are captured and their people are killed, streams of water will flow from every mountain and every hill. ²⁶ The moon will be as bright as the sun, and the sun will be seven times brighter than usual, like the light of seven days in one. This will all happen when the Lord bandages and heals the wounds he has given his people.

Reflect

According to today’s reading, in what ways will the people be blessed? Verse 20 says, “The Lord will make you go through hard times; but he himself will be there to teach you, and you will not have to search for him any more.” What are your thoughts about this verse? Reflect on a time when you may have felt God’s presence while going through a rough patch in your life.

Pray

God of love and compassion, you hear me when I cry out to you. Your steadfast love fills my heart with joy and peace. I seek to be faithful to your teachings, listen for your voice, and give honor and glory to you. In your holy name, I pray. Amen.

And now, join us in praising God that the light of God’s Word is being shared in Costa Rica. Lord God, because of the generosity of Bible-A-Month Partners, people in Costa Rica are listening to your Word in their heart language thanks to the Bible Society’s audio Bible study courses. Local churches are inviting people to watch the JESUS Film, and people in Costa Rica are accepting Jesus as their Lord and Savior. We praise you, Lord God, that your Word is changing lives. Amen.

Tomorrow’s Reading

Isaiah 33:10–24: A restored and redeemed Jerusalem.