S – For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. ⁹  For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. 

Isaiah 55:8–9 ESV

O – Commentary:

God’s compassion on those who turn to Him (vv. 6–7) comes because His thoughts and ways are far superior to human thoughts and ways, which in fact are evil (cf. v. 7). God’s plan is something people would have never dreamed of.

 John A. Martin, “Isaiah,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 1111.

A – I love what the commentary says – “God’s plan is something people would never dreamed of.”  God’s plan of salvation is so counter intuitive. Yet, not one prophecy is unfulfilled or detailed out of line.  It should give us great confidence and trust in God as we navigate each day with him.

R – Heavenly Father, we worship and surrender to you.  Sometimes, your ways are baffling to us.  Empower our faith and courage to trust you more even when we don’t see it.  We know your ways are best for us.

S – He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. 4  Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. 5  But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. 6  All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. 7  He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth. 

Isaiah 53:3–7 ESV

Read those verses then read them again slowly…you feel the weight and gravity of what Jesus did.  He left the majesty of a throne and became a sacrifice for mankind.  These word were fulfilled seven hundred years later…wow.

Heavenly Father, you are mercy, grace and power.  Thank you for what Jesus did so we could know you.  

S – How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.” 

Isaiah 52:7 ESV

O – Commentary:

See Nah 1:15; Rom 10:15. • The good news goes beyond proclaiming an end to the Exile; it also points to the peace and salvation of the age to come (54:13–14; see 40:9–10; 41:27). • of Israel:

 New Living Translation Study Bible (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 2008), Is 52:7.

A – This scripture is actually a song I sang as a new Christian growing up.  It is simple yet powerful.  It represents Israel’s return from captivity and the return of the Messiah to rule. For me, the ushering in of peace, happiness and salvation have greater depth and meaning as and adult.

R – Heavenly Father, you are the victorious conqueror.  Thank you for the promise of returning one day.  We experience peace, happiness and salvation today because of your victory on the cross.  It will be amazing to see what it is like in your triumphant return.

S – But the Lord God helps me; therefore I have not been disgraced; therefore I have set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame

Isaiah 50:7 ESV

O – Commentary:

Externally, the servant would be disgraced and put to shame, but within himself he would calmly await God’s vindication (see 29:22; 54:4; 61:7). • set my face like a stone: The servant would be determined to do God’s will (see Luke 9:51).

 New Living Translation Study Bible (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 2008), Is 50:7.

A – The Lord works on our behalf.  Sometimes, we need to get an “attitude” of determination that we have faith in God, trust his timing and will wait for his fulfillment.  It is not easy but we can do it.

R – Heavenly Father, you are all powerful and your timing is perfect.  Empower us today with an attitude of faith and trust in you.  We know you work on our behalf.  Help us walk that out today.

S – Look, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction. ¹¹ I will act for my own sake, indeed, my own, for how can I be defiled? I will not give my glory to another. 

Isaiah 48:10–11 CSB

O – Commentary:

Look! I have refined you The punishment of invasion and exile is compared to the smelting process designed to remove impurities from fine metals like silver. The refining should remove the impurity of their past sins and restore their relationship with God (see Isa 1:22, 25).

48:11 I will not give my glory to another Yahweh alone deserves the credit for the salvation He has planned in vv. 6–7.

 John D. Barry et al., Faithlife Study Bible (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012, 2016), Is 48:10–11.

A – We are all in a “refining” process.  We are born into sin and have a sinful nature.  Accepting Christ as our Lord and Savior eliminates our sins of the past and begins the “refining” journey.  As we grow in our relationship with him, we sin less as we take on his character and heart.

R – Heavenly Father, you are worthy of all glory and honor.  As challenging as it is, thank you for the refining process.  As we become more like you, we walk in victory, strength and peace.

S – I declare the end from the beginning, and from long ago what is not yet done, saying: my plan will take place, and I will do all my will. 

Isaiah 46:10 CSB

O – Commentary:

God knows the future before it even happens; he has comprehensive control over all events, and all his acts match his words (41:4, 26). He is the First and the Last (44:6; 48:12).

 New Living Translation Study Bible (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 2008), Is 46:10.

A – We can get caught up in the daily routine and forget that God has a plan that encompasses everything He created…including us.  He created the beginning and is the last.  It is hard to comprehend but He has a purpose in all that happens.  When we align with His will for our lives, we are acknowledging who he is and the character of our relationship.

R – Heavenly Father, you are the Alpha and the Omega – the beginning and the End.  Help us to see life through the lens of relationship with you.  You know the past, present and future.  We surrender our wills to you today.

S –  But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: 

“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. ²  When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; 

when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.  For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior

Isaiah 43:1–3 ESV

O – Isaiah is prophesying some major principles in this verse about Israel:

God created you.

God formed you.
Fear not.

I have redeemed you.

I have called you by name.

I call you mine.

I will be with you.

You will not be overwhelmed.
You will not be burned.

You will not be consumed.

I am your Savior.

A – This is not just a promise for Israel but a promise for us today.  Each one of those promises are true in our personal relationship with God.  We can live from a place of victory today.

R- Heavenly Father, you are all powerful.  We want to live from a place of victory, even when facing all of life’s challenges.  We claim each one of these promises as true and for us today as we walk in relationship with you.

S – Behold my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my Spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations. ²  He will not cry aloud or lift up his voice, 

or make it heard in the street; ³  a bruised reed he will not break, and a faintly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice

Isaiah 42:1–3 ESV

O – Commentary:

Some Bible students say My Servant here refers to Israel, which is clearly the case in verse 19. True, Israel was upheld and chosen by the Lord, and was His delight. However, the statements in verses 1b–4 suggest that here the Servant is the Messiah. This One has the Spirit of God on Him (cf. 11:2), and He will bring justice to the nations (cf. 9:7; 11:3–4; 16:5). He will be gentle (42:2–3a)—most people would break a weak, useless reed, but He will not do so-and He will be faithful (v. 3b) and not … discouraged (v. 4). He gave the Law in which the islands (i.e., people in remote parts; cf. 41:1) will … hope. Matthew 12:18–21 quotes Isaiah 42:1–4 with some minor variations, relating it to Jesus and His ministry in Israel. As God’s Servant, Jesus did what Israel could never do. He perfectly carried out the will of the father so that people everywhere may believe in the Holy One of Israel.

 John A. Martin, “Isaiah,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 1095.

A – This is the “gentle” Messiah that will bring care and his presence to the nations.  Jesus fulfilled this by bringing value and compassion while he walked the earth.  He brought justice to those who were neglected and cast away by culture.  In his second coming, he comes as a conquering king and his judgement is more absolute.

R – Heavenly Father, we worship and surrender to you.  Jesus came inviting us into a relationship with you. He exposed injustice while forgiving us of sins that we couldn’t eliminate on our own.  Thank you for loving us through kindness and the power of the invitation to you.

S – Who has directed the Spirit of the Lord, or who gave him counsel? ¹⁴ Who did he consult? Who gave him understanding and taught him the paths of justice? Who taught him knowledge and showed him the way of understanding? 

Isaiah 40:13–14 CSB

O – Commentary:

Against the backdrop of Israel’s questions (spoken by the prophet), the Lord affirmed that he is the incomparable God, a wise and sovereign creator who rules over the nations.

40:12–13 These rhetorical questions evoke the answer “No one!” God alone created all that exists. He will judge creation (24:17), and he alone can and will restore creation through his salvation. • Who is able to advise the Spirit of the Lord? Greek version reads Who can know the Lord’s thoughts?

 New Living Translation Study Bible (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 2008), Is 40:12–13.

A – It is hard for us to comprehend the unlimited power and scope of who God is.  Everything in our world has some “limited” number or measurement.  How do you apply that to a God who has none.  Asking the question who would “teach, instruct or help him understand” seems absurd. It should create in us a healthy fear and reverence for Him.

R – Heavenly Father, you alone are God.  Thank you that in all that you are, you invite us into an intimate relationship with you.  We worship you alone.  

S – ³ He said, “Please, Lord, remember how I have walked before you faithfully and wholeheartedly, and have done what pleases you.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly. 

⁴ Then the word of the Lord came to Isaiah: ⁵ “Go and tell Hezekiah, ‘This is what the Lord God of your ancestor David says: I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears. Look, I am going to add fifteen years to your life.

Isaiah 38:3–5 CSB

O – Commentary:

Hezekiah’s prayer does not explicitly state a request to live longer, but it is implied. Many have criticized Hezekiah for this request. However, self-preservation characterizes nearly everyone. Hezekiah asked the Lord to remember the good things he had done as king (cf. 2 Kings 18:5–8).

(3) God’s answer to Hezekiah.

38:4–6. In response to the king’s prayer God said through Isaiah that He would grant the king 15 more years. Since Hezekiah died in 686 b.c. this illness would have been in 701 (see the chart “Kings of Judah and Israel and the Preexilic Prophets,” near 1 Kings 12:25–33). In addition, God would not allow the Assyrians to take Jerusalem. These facts would have been a great comfort to Hezekiah.

 John A. Martin, “Isaiah,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 1089.

A – What an amazing answer to Hezekiah’s request!  It is a mystery why God answered this request and not the millions of others who have asked for more time.  Foundationally, his faithfulness and obedience coupled with God hearing and seeing him.  No matter what we face, as we approach God the same way, we have the opportunity for God to do the impossible.

R – Heavenly Father, you are all powerful and have no limitations.  We lay all of our desires and dreams down at your feet and surrender them to you.  We invite you to do the impossible and show your unlimited power in each of these.