Life Journal July 28, 2008
Today's readings: Isaiah 53-56; 2 Peter 2

The Promised Savior

Scripture

Who has believed our message? To whom has the Lord revealed his powerful arm? My servant grew up in the Lord's presence like a tender green shoot, like a root in dry ground.

There was nothing beautiful or majestic about his appearance, nothing to attract us to him. He was despised and rejected--a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. We turn our backs on him and looked the other way. He was despised, and we did not care.

Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighted him down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God, a punishment for his own sins! But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed. All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God's paths to follow our won. Yet the Lord laid on him the sins of us all.

He was oppressed and treated harshly, yet he never said a word. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter. And as a sheep is silent before the shearers, he did not open his mouth. Unjustly condemned, he was led away. No one cared that he died without descendants, that his life was cut short in midstream. But he was struck down for the rebellion of my people. He had one no wrong and had never deceived anyone. But he was buried like a criminal; he was put in a rich man's grave.

But it was the Lord's good plan to crush him and cause him grief. Yet when his life is made an offering for sin, he will have many descendants. He will enjoy a long life, and the Lord's good plan will prosper in his hands. When he sees all that is accomplished by his anguish, he will be satisfied. And because of his experience, my righteous servant will make it possible for many to be counted righteous, for he will bear all their sins. I will give him the honors of a victorious soldier, because he exposed himself to death. He was counted among the rebels. He bore the sins of many and interceded for rebels.

Isaiah 53.1-12

Observation

God loves us so much and wants to be in relationship with us so much that He sent the perfect sacrifice to pay the price of our sins and redeem us.

Application (How will I be different today because of what I have just read?)

How can I not be different after reading Isaiah 53--God's tremendous love for me and His amazing desire to be in relationship with me--no matter the cost. And yet, I take it for granted. I continue to be self-centered and to live for me--not for God. I want things my way. I want to be "happy." How it must break God's heart to have me live this way. I know what I should do, how I should live, the choices I should make--but I don't. Sigh.

Today, may I find the strength in God to live the life He has called me to live.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I am overwhelmed when I think of Your love for me--how deep, how wide, how amazing it is. Forgive me for taking it for granted. Forgive me for being so self-centered and not as Christ-centered as I should be. Forgive me for not loving You or others as You have called me to. Forgive me for judging You and others. Forgive me for not living out my faith in a sacrificial way. Lord God, I want to be consumed by You. Come and fill me with Your Spirit, Your Power, Your Strength . . . . and most of all Your love.