Talking About Isaiah

I wish I was feeling bright and full of a book review, but I haven't had time to think much lately, let alone read. And when I try to read, I fall asleep, which doesn't do much to help me get through my stack of books that I actually want to read. {sigh} I have three books started - one almost finished, one half-way finished, and one just in the opening pages. Plus my Bible reading - which is really more important than the other three books.

I'm currently reading in Isaiah and this time through the Bible I'm reading the New Living Translation. I grew up with the New International Version and that's the version I used when I first read completely through the Bible. I still like the NIV and it's what I use at church, but I decided to give the NLT a try and it has really made this experience fresh and new and eye-opening. I know there are those who are KJV-only, but I'm not one of them. And if you are KJV only - that's okay too. The point is that we spend time studying God's Word and use it as a tool to make us more like Jesus and a whole lot less like the stinky sinners that we are.

So today, instead of a regular book review, I decided to share some passages from Isaiah that have stood out to me and have encouraged me in my daily walk with the Lord. For example, these verses from Isaiah 58 that struck me:

"(v. 7) I want you to share your food with the hungry and to welcome poor wanderers into your homes. Give clothes to those who need them, and do not hide from relatives who need your help. [...] (v. 10) Feed the hungry and help those in trouble. Then your light will shine out from the darkness and the darkness around you will be as bright as day.  [...] (v. 13b & 14a) Honor the LORD in everything you do, and don't follow your own desires or talk idly. If you do this, the LORD will be your delight."

I'm afraid that I am guilty of idle talk and certainly of following my own desires, but my aim is to honor the LORD in all that I do - even when I fail royally and have to start all over. The reminders to share what we have been given by God were especially pertinent with my recent job and our rental home purchase. I won't go into detail, but let's just say that I needed to read those verses at this time in my life.

Creation is another passion of mine, and Isaiah has a lot to say about the Creator of the universe. I found these verses to be beautiful reminders of Who made the heavens and the earth, who controls all things and who gives strength to those who are weary:

Isaiah 40:25-26, 28-31 says, "To whom will you compare me? Who is my equal?" asks the Holy One. Look up into the heavens. Who created all the stars? He brings them out one after another, calling each by its name. And he counts them to see that none are lost or have strayed away.  [...] Don't you know that the LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth? He never grows faint or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding. He gives power to those who are tired and worn out he offers strength to the weak. Even youths will become exhausted, and young men will give up. But those who wait on the LORD will find new strength. They will fly high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.

These are beautiful reminders to me that even on the worst of days, God is still with me, He still cares for me, and nothing that happens in my life is a surprise to the One who created me. Happy Reading!