Chronological Bible Blog

Isaiah 52:13-57:21
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Isaiah chapter 53 is one of the most powerful chapters of the Bible – and one of the saddest to really meditate upon.  Isaiah chapter 53 is all about Jesus!  This is a powerful chapter to read…  I’m sure you likely caught that this chapter was about Jesus when you first read it, but if not, please re-read the chapter again and do you see how Isaiah is prophesying Jesus’ passion and death?  It is astounding to realize these words of Isaiah’s were written in 8th century B.C.  Verse 5 tells us: “But he was wounded and crushed for our sins. He was beaten that we might have peace. He was whipped, and we were healed!”  Do you believe that the words of Isaiah’s in chapter 53 today are about Jesus?  Do you believe that Jesus was wounded and crushed for your sins?  Was he beaten that you might have peace?  Are you healed because Jesus was whipped and then murdered on a cross?

Verse 7: “He was oppressed and treated harshly, yet he never said a word. He was led as a lamb to the slaughter. And as a sheep is silent before the shearers, he did not open his mouth.”

Verse 8: “From prison and trial they led him away to his death. But who among the people realized that he was dying for their sins–that he was suffering their punishment?”

Bible.org’s commentary on today’s readings in Isaiah chapter 53 titled “The Triumph of the Suffering Servant” is at this link.  Below is a great image for Isaiah 53:6 from today’s readings:

Today we read Isaiah chapter 55, which is one of my favorite chapters in the Bible! I went to a wedding several years ago in Napa, California and God led me to a church in that town on a Sunday morning where the pastor preached an incredible sermon from Isaiah 55.  It is a beautiful chapter for all of us who are Thirsty. Let us drink deeply of God’s Word today!  Verse 1 tells us – “Is anyone thirsty? Come and drink–even if you have no money!”  Are you drinking freely of the Bible this year?  Even if you have no money, do you believe that God is inviting you to drink deeply of his True and Holy Water, His Word?  Are you thirsty?

Verse 6 is fantastic… Will you seek? Will you call?

In verses 10-12 we read:

“10 As the rain and the snow
come down from heaven,
and do not return to it
without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,
so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
11 so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
12 You will go out in joy
and be led forth in peace;
the mountains and hills
will burst into song before you,
and all the trees of the field
will clap their hands.”

How do these above verses resonate with you, based on our One Year Bible readings? Particularly verse 11 above – is God’s Word accomplishing something in you this year through reading the Bible each day? Is the Bible “watering” you? Are you Thirsty? Do you feel that you are going out in joy and being led forth in peace? Have the mountains and hills burst into song before you?  Are the trees of the field clapping their hands in your life today?

Bible.org’s commentary on today’s readings in Isaiah chapter 55 titled “God’s Exhortation to Receive His Grace” is at this link.

Today in Isaiah chapter 57 verses 20 & 21 we have a chance to think about that sometimes elusive word “peace”: “”But those who still reject me are like the restless sea. It is never still but continually churns up mire and dirt. There is no peace for the wicked,” says my God.”  I don’t know about you, but I know I have gone through many days of my life without true peace – and many days with true peace.  And I do honestly believe that there is no peace in our lives apart from God.  When we live our lives solely for our own selfish motives, we live a very chaotic un-restful un-peaceful life I believe.  But, when we turn our lives over to God, when we embrace God, when we love God, and when we are obedient to God’s will for our lives, we come to know true peace!  And it is indeed a peace that surpasses all understanding.  I pray that each of us is walking in the light of God’s peace this very day.  And tomorrow.  And the next day.  Please, don’t ever step out of the peace of God and back into the chaos of living for yourself.  I know this can seem to be a glib saying at first glance, but there’s a whole lot of truth to this one:

Bible.org’s commentary on today’s readings in Isaiah chapter 57 titled “God’s Condemnation or God’s Comfort” is at this link.

Worship Video:  I’m sure many of you have heard on K-LOVE “By His Wounds” by Mac Powell, Mark Hall, Steven Curtis Chapman and Brian Littrell. This song is based on Isaiah 53 verse 5 from today’s readings. It is a beautiful song about our beautiful Savior Jesus. Here’s a live version of the song:

By His wounds, have you been healed? Click here for Healing!

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Chronological Bible readings at this link.

p.s. #2 – Download a schedule of our Chronological Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

p.s. #3 – I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Chronological Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

Isaiah 48:12-52:12
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~ Listen to today’s Scripture with The ESV Bible ~

Isaiah chapter 49 verse 6 is sometimes referred to as “the great commission of the Old Testament”!  Here it is: “You will do more than restore the people of Israel to me. I will make you a light to the Gentiles, and you will bring my salvation to the ends of the earth.”  Paul and Barnabas quote this verse in part in Acts 13:47.  The preceding 5 verses (1-5) in chapter 49 are considered the second servant song in Isaiah and are thought to refer to Jesus, the coming Messiah.  Isaiah chapter 50 verses 4 through 9 in today’s readings are considered the third servant song (out of a total of four) in Isaiah.  It’s interesting, when I initially read these verses in chapter 50 I really thought they were solely about the prophet Isaiah.  But, as we all know by now from our readings in Isaiah – and we’ll see this again in big ways in our coming day’s readings – Isaiah often had the coming Savior of the world, Jesus, on his mind when he was writing this incredible book of the Old Testament in the eighth century B.C.!  I love this painting below of Isaiah writing about Jesus…

Bible.org’s commentary on today’s readings in Isaiah chapter 50 titled “The Lord Can and Will Help Those Who Trust Him” is at this link.  Below is a nice image for Isaiah chapter 48 verse 17 from today’s readings:

Worship Video:  Today’s reading remind me of “God of Wonders” with Third Day and Caedmon’s Call:

Do you know our God of Wonders? Click here for Mr. Wonderful!

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Chronological Bible readings at this link.

p.s. #2 – Download a schedule of our Chronological Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

p.s. #3 – I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Chronological Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

Isaiah 44:6-48:11
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~ Listen to today’s Scripture with The ESV Bible ~

Isaiah’s words in chapter 44 verses 18 & 19 today are classic Old Testament very direct words!  “Such stupidity and ignorance! Their eyes are closed, and they cannot see. Their minds are shut, and they cannot think. The person who made the idol never stops to reflect, “Why, it’s just a block of wood! I burned half of it for heat and used it to bake my bread and roast my meat. How can the rest of it be a god? Should I bow down to worship a chunk of wood?”  I wonder about us in our lives today – do we create idols of our own today?  Maybe our idols are not made out of chunks of wood these days.  But do we create idols perhaps out of other people?  Do we create idols out of material goods?  Do we create idols out of our careers?  Do we create idols out of how we spend our time?  Are you bowing down and worshiping any “chunks of wood” in your life today?  Please turn any idols you might have over to Jesus and allow him to heal you from worshiping those idols in your life!

In Isaiah chapter 45 readings we read about King Cyrus of Persia!  Verse 13 says this about Cyrus in today’s readings: “I will raise up Cyrus to fulfill my righteous purpose, and I will guide all his actions. He will restore my city and free my captive people–and not for a reward! I, the LORD Almighty, have spoken!”  The interesting thing to note here is that Cyrus was not Jewish – he was a Gentile ruler who was raised up for the purpose of freeing the Israelite captives from exile in Babylon and allowing them to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple.  In yesterday’s readings in chapter 45 verse 1 Cyrus was even referred to as “God’s anointed.”  This is the only place in the Bible where a Gentile ruler is said to be anointed.  It’s also very interesting to note that Isaiah is calling Cyrus by name some 150 years before Cyrus ruled!  Isaiah prophesied from 740 to 681 B.C. and Cyrus ruled from 559 to 530 B.C.  Some Bible commentaries suggest that Cyrus read these prophesies of Isaiah during his reign and was so moved by them that he decided to indeed fulfill them.  In any case, Cyrus played a pivotal role in our spiritual history – allowing the promise of Abraham’s many descendants to continue to the fulfillment of the coming Messiah in Jesus! 

Isaiah chapter 45 verses 22 & 23 are powerful and foreshadow Jesus’ ministry here on earth: “Let all the world look to me for salvation! For I am God; there is no other. I have sworn by my own name, and I will never go back on my word: Every knee will bow to me, and every tongue will confess allegiance to my name.” These verses are also foreshadowing of the book of Revelation that we will read later this year.  We read Paul quoting these verses to describe Jesus in Romans 14:11 and Philippians 2:10-11.  Do you believe that all the world should look to God for salvation?  Is there another god?  Is Jesus God?  Do you believe that one day every tongue will confess allegiance to the name of Jesus and every knee will bow to Jesus?

Below is an image from Isaiah 46:4 from today’s readings:

Bible.org’s commentary on today’s readings in Isaiah titled “Dead Idols or the Living God” is at this link and “The Knowledge of the Lord” is at this link and “The Lord’s Superiority to the gods of Babylon” is at this link.

Worship Video:  Isaiah chapter 45 verse 23 reminded me of the fantastic Brian Doerksen song “Come, Now is the Time to Worship” which includes the lyrics: “One day every tongue will confess you are God.  One day every knee will bow.  Still the greatest treasure remains for those who choose you now!”  Here’s a great live version of this song, sung by Phillips, Craig and Dean:

Has your tongue confessed who God is? Click here and bow your knee!

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Chronological Bible readings at this link.

p.s. #2 – Download a schedule of our Chronological Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

p.s. #3 – I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Chronological Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

Isaiah 40:1-44:5
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~ Listen to today’s Scripture with The ESV Bible ~

Today in Isaiah chapter 42 we read some amazing prophecies about Jesus!  Verses 1 through 4 in Isaiah 42 are known as the “Servant Song,” in which the servant is the coming Messiah, Jesus.  There are 3 other servant songs in Isaiah we’ll read in the coming days.  The nation of Israel, as well as the Messiah, are both often called “servant”.  The nation of Israel was to be a kingdom of priests and the Messiah is the high priest who atones for the sins of the world. In Isaiah chapter 42 verse 1 today we read: “Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him and he will bring justice to the nations.”  Verses 1 through 4 are quoted in part in Matthew 12:18-21.  Do you see the prophecies about Jesus as you read today’s chapter 42?  Is this chapter and its prophecies encouraging to you?

Bible.org’s commentary on today’s readings in Isaiah titled “The Lord is the Gracious Redeemer” is at this link.  Below is a great image for Isaiah 43:2-3 from today’s readings:

Also below is a great image from Isaiah 44:3 from today’s readings:

Worship God: Wow, I forgot how powerful Isaiah chapter 43 is until studying it a bit more just now.  Next year I’m going to have to give some more commentary on this chapter!  I recalled while reading Isaiah 43 an incredible worship song a church I used to attend sang called “Do Not Fear (Isaiah 43).”  Fortunately YouTube has this song!  This song seriously would nearly bring me to tears for some reason every time we sang it.  I guess because it just reminded me of the sovereignty of God in such a beautiful way. 

Do you fear? Click here to have God save you from your worldly fears!

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Chronological Bible readings at this link.

p.s. #2 – Download a schedule of our Chronological Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

p.s. #3 – I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Chronological Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

2 Kings 20:1-11; Isaiah 38:1-8; 2 Chronicles 32:24-31; Isaiah 38:9-22; 2 Kings 20:12-19; Isaiah 39:1-8
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~ Listen to today’s Scripture with The ESV Bible ~

In 2 Kings 20 today we read about King Hezekiah’s sickness and recovery.  The thing that stood out to me in these passages is that after Hezekiah heard from Isaiah that he was going to die, Hezekiah did not just wallow in sorrow and let what was supposed to happen, happen.  No!  What does Hezekiah do?  He prays to the living God!  This is convicting and encouraging for me. I am afraid that sometimes I will just wallow in my sorrow over a situation, when I should be praying about the situation to God!  If we don’t take it to God in prayer, how can God really help us?  I know that oftentimes God does show amazing mercy to us and do things for us when we do not pray.  But, why don’t we pray to God in times of sorrow?  How about you – when sorrow comes to your doorstep, do you take the situation to God in prayer? Below is an image of Isaiah warning Hezekiah of his impending death in verse 1 – and Hezekiah immediately praying!

Hezekiah later in this chapter receives envoys from Babylon. Unfortunately, he is a bit too hospitable with these envoys…  He believes showing off his wealth will prove that he has worldly power and that the Babylonians will respect him and Judah.  Isaiah sees that Hezekiah is relying on worldly wealth and not God, and Isaiah delivers a word from God that Judah will be exiled to Babylon  Indeed, this comes true in 115 years from when Isaiah delivers this word in this chapter.  We will read more about the Babylonian exile later in this year’s One Year Bible readings.  How about us, in our lives today – do we try to impress people with our worldly wealth or toys or stuff, like Hezekiah was trying to impress the Babylonians?  And further, do we actually try to rely on this worldly stuff rather than rely on God?  Is this dangerous?

I love Hezekiah’s poem of praise in chapter 38.  Verse 16 stood out to me: “Lord, your discipline is good, for it leads to life and health.” Would you agree with Hezekiah on this point?  Is God’s discipline good?  Does God’s discipline lead to life and health? Are you accepting God’s discipline in your life today?  I found this little reminder of some “good discipline” from a school website below.  Not quite “the” Golden Rule below, but overall good stuff!  🙂

Bible.org’s commentary on today’s readings in Isaiah chapter 38 titled “The Deliverance of Judah’s King” is at this link.

Worship Video: Today’s readings in 2nd Kings reminded me of Laura Story’s song “One Life to Lose:”

Have you lost your life? Click here to find it!

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Chronological Bible readings at this link.

p.s. #2 – Download a schedule of our Chronological Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

p.s. #3 – I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Chronological Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

2 Kings 19:1-19; Isaiah 37:1-20; 2 Chronicles 32:9-19; 2 Kings 19:20-37; Isaiah 37:21-38; 2 Chronicles 32:20-23
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~ Listen to today’s Scripture with The ESV Bible ~

Great readings in Isaiah featuring King Hezekiah today!  You’ll recall from yesterday’s readings that King Sennacherib of Assyria’s representative threw down some serious trash-talking at the walls of Jerusalem.  (see yesterday’s blog entry below).  Well today in chapter 37 we read about Hezekiah seeking the Lord’s help.  Hezekiah takes all of this to God in prayer.  Good move!  How often in our lives today, when challenges come our way, do we take the challenges everywhere else BUT to God?  Wouldn’t it be easier to take them directly to God?  Why do we turn to alcohol or drugs or food or worrying or _______ (fill in your blank here) when we can simply take our challenges to the one true living God who can actually do something with them?  Will you model what Hezekiah did when he received distressing news from the King of Assyria, in verses 14 through 17: “After Hezekiah received the letter and read it, he went up to the LORD’s Temple and spread it out before the LORD. And Hezekiah prayed this prayer before the LORD: “O LORD Almighty, God of Israel, you are enthroned between the mighty cherubim! You alone are God of all the kingdoms of the earth. You alone created the heavens and the earth. Listen to me, O LORD, and hear! Open your eyes, O LORD, and see! Listen to Sennacherib’s words of defiance against the living God.”

Well, Hezekiah’s prayer is clearly answered as we read in verse 36: “That night the angel of the LORD went out to the Assyrian camp and killed 185,000 Assyrian troops. When the surviving Assyrians woke up the next morning, they found corpses everywhere.” Below is an engraving of this verse by Gutave Dore.

Worship Video:  Today’s readings in Isaiah reminded me of The David Crowder Band’s song “Everything Glorious”:

Is everything glorious in your life? Click here for Glory!

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Chronological Bible readings at this link.

p.s. #2 – Download a schedule of our Chronological Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

p.s. #3 – I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Chronological Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

Micah 6:1-7:20; 2 Chronicles 32:1-8; 2 Kings 18:13-18; Isaiah 36:1-3; 2 Kings 18:19-37; Isaiah 36:4-22
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~ Listen to today’s Scripture with The ESV Bible ~

In Micah chapter 6 verse 8 I read a commentary that the following verse is the “most memorable statement in the OT defining a proper relationship to God”.  Here it is: “No, O people, the LORD has already told you what is good, and this is what he requires: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.”   Not a very big and complicated list, eh?  Do what is right.  Love mercy.  And walk humbly with God.  How are you doing on these things?

Micah chapter 7 verse 7 definitely stood out to me in today’s readings: “As for me, I look to the LORD for his help. I wait confidently for God to save me, and my God will certainly hear me.” I love the confidence and surety of this verse from Micah.  Where do you look for your help?  Will you wait confidently for God to save you?  Do you believe that God will certainly hear you?

In Isaiah chapter 36 today you probably noticed that we’ve read this story about Sennacherib threatening Jerusalem before.  In fact, much of Isaiah chapters 36 through 39 are sometimes verbatim of Second Kings 18:13 through 20:19.  The compiler of Second Kings may have utilized Isaiah chapters 36 through 39 as a source, or it is also thought that both may have drawn from another common source.  Today in chapter 36 we are in the year 701 B.C., and we get some bold boasts before the walls of Jerusalem by King Sennacherib of Assyria’s representatives…  Verse 20 includes this boast, which didn’t make God too happy: “What god of any nation has ever been able to save its people from my power? Name just one! So what makes you think that the LORD can rescue Jerusalem?”

YouTube:  Today’s readings remind me of Anne Wilson’s song “My Jesus:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tmIw0F4wHZo

Is Jesus yours? Click here for You to be His!

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Chronological Bible readings at this link.

p.s. #2 – Download a schedule of our Chronological Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

p.s. #3 – I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Chronological Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

Isaiah 34:1-35:10; Micah 2-5:15
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~ Listen to today’s Scripture with The ESV Bible ~

Today we read Isaiah chapter 35, which is a wonderful glimpse of God’s Kingdom Come!  The preceding Chapter 34 is a message of judgment to the nations during the end times.  And then Chapter 35 is a message of hope for those who love, believe in and are obedient to the Lord. I love verse 8 in chapter 35: “And a main road will go through that once deserted land. It will be named the Highway of Holiness. Evil-hearted people will never travel on it. It will be only for those who walk in God’s ways; fools will never walk there.”  I like that concept!  The Highway of Holiness! If you could take the Highway of Holiness right now, would you?  Do you look forward to walking on the Highway of Holiness in the future?  In the midst of our often chaotic and un-holy world, will you seek only the Highway of Holiness for your life today and forevermore? 

As I mentioned above, Isaiah chapter 34 is a message of judgment.  An interesting thing to note about the “the horned owl, the hawk, the screech owl, and the raven” listed in verse 11 and the owl and the vulture in verse 15 is that these are all unclean birds per Deuteronomy 14:11-18.  In verse 8 today we read – “For it is the day of the LORD’s vengeance, the year when Edom will be paid back for all it did to Israel.”

Today in Micah chapter 2 verse 11 we read this powerful verse to consider: “Suppose a prophet full of lies were to say to you, “I’ll preach to you the joys of wine and drink!” That’s just the kind of prophet you would like!”  At times in our lives, do we pick and choose the “prophets” we will listen to?  Do we pick and choose the pastors or teachers we will listen to?  Do we look for people that will tell us basically what we want to hear?  Instead, is it maybe okay for a pastor or teacher to “afflict the comfortable and comfort the afflicted”?  Is it maybe okay if we get uncomfortable with some things we read in the Bible – at first read.   But, then, do we start to reflect on and study what the challenging passages of the Bible really are saying and mean?  Are we seeking Truth more than seeking being “comfortable” in our religion and our lives? Or are we just seeking comfort above all else…

Chapter 4 verse 1 stood out to me: “In the last days, the Temple of the LORD in Jerusalem will become the most important place on earth. People from all over the world will go there to worship.” What are the most important places on earth today for most people?  Could it be the movies, sporting events, work, vacations, etc.  What are the most important places in your life?  Should church (be it a cathedral or a house church) and coming together with others to worship God perhaps be the most important place on earth?  Is it?

Okay, we get an amazing few verses in Micah chapter 5 today!   Keep in mind that these verses were written 700 years before the birth of Jesus.  Micah was the Old Testament prophet who prophesied that the Messiah, Jesus, would be born in Bethlehem.  Reading these verses In Micah chapter 5 verses 2 through 5 gives me the chills…  “But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, are only a small village in Judah. Yet a ruler of Israel will come from you, one whose origins are from the distant past. The people of Israel will be abandoned to their enemies until the time when the woman in labor gives birth to her son. Then at last his fellow countrymen will return from exile to their own land.  And he will stand to lead his flock with the LORD’s strength, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God. Then his people will live there undisturbed, for he will be highly honored all around the world. And he will be the source of our peace.” Wow… I love it!  Please read these verses again. 

Okay, since we are talking the birth of Jesus here, hope you don’t mind I throw out a few verses from he Gospel of Matthew – where the chief priests tell Herod about the location of the birth of Jesus based on the verses above from Micah.  I usually don’t like to bombard you with too many / too long of verses here in this blog, but this is too beautiful – the tie in from the Old Testament to the New.  From Matthew chapter 2 verses 1 through 6: “After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.”  When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written: “ ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.’”

Worship Video: Today’s readings in Micah reminded me of the Matt Maher song “Alive Again.” Here is a great live performance from Matt:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CSTaVmDQP5s

Are you truly alive? Click here and be made Alive Again!

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Chronological Bible readings at this link.

p.s. #2 – Download a schedule of our Chronological Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

p.s. #3 – I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Chronological Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

Isaiah 30:1-33:24
~ Click here to read today’s Scripture on Bible Gateway ~
~ Listen to today’s Scripture with The ESV Bible ~

Today in Isaiah chapter 30 we read about blessings for God’s people!  You’ll notice in verses 12 and 15 the term “Holy One of Israel” is used for God.  An interesting thing to note about this term “Holy One of Israel” is that it occurs a total of 26 times in the book of the prophet Isaiah – and only 6 times elsewhere in the rest of the Old Testament!  (I think it is such a beautiful term – maybe in part because my church sings a wonderful song occasionally w/ these lyrics: “For I am the Lord your God.  The Holy One of Israel.  Your Savior.  I am the Lord – do not fear – I am the Lord”.  Anyone else’s church sing this song?)  Some scholars over history have challenged whether the entire 66 chapters of the book of Isaiah were really all written by the same person, Isaiah.  Well, the continuity of the use of the term “Holy One of Israel” throughout the book has been the strongest argument for the unity of the book of Isaiah.

Worship Video: Today’s readings in Isaiah 32 & 33 reminded me of Third Day’s song “Call My Name:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rEXXUdU–Zg

When have you called on God’s name? Click here and call on Him right now!

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Chronological Bible readings at this link.

p.s. #2 – Download a schedule of our Chronological Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

p.s. #3 – I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Chronological Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

Isaiah 24:1-27:13; Isaiah 29:1-24
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~ Listen to today’s Scripture with The ESV Bible ~

Isaiah chapter 24 today begins 4 chapters of judgment and blessing in the final days!  The time of God’s final victory over evil.  There is some pretty “heavy” stuff to consider about the last days when reading this chapter, to say the least.  But, I absolutely love the way the chapter ends – as God’s story truly will end as we’ll read about more in the book of Revelation later this year – with verses 21 through 24: “In that day the LORD will punish the fallen angels in the heavens and the proud rulers of the nations on earth. They will be rounded up and put in prison until they are tried and condemned. Then the LORD Almighty will mount his throne on Mount Zion. He will rule gloriously in Jerusalem, in the sight of all the leaders of his people. There will be such glory that the brightness of the sun and moon will seem to fade away.”  Are you looking forward to this moment of the Lord’s final victory?

We have great readings in Isaiah today about the judgment and restoration of Israel!  Below is a great image for Isaiah 26:9 from today’s readings –

I think Isaiah chapter 27 verses 11 through 13 capture the essence of today’s readings: “The people are like the dead branches of a tree, broken off and used for kindling beneath the cooking pots. Israel is a foolish and stupid nation, for its people have turned away from God. Therefore, the one who made them will show them no pity or mercy. Yet the time will come when the LORD will gather them together one by one like handpicked grain. He will bring them to his great threshing floor–from the Euphrates River in the east to the brook of Egypt in the west. In that day the great trumpet will sound. Many who were dying in exile in Assyria and Egypt will return to Jerusalem to worship the LORD on his holy mountain.”

Isaiah chapter 29 verses 15 and 16 I found to be so powerful to consider… “Destruction is certain for those who try to hide their plans from the LORD, who try to keep him in the dark concerning what they do! “The LORD can’t see us,” you say to yourselves. “He doesn’t know what is going on!” How stupid can you be? He is the Potter, and he is certainly greater than you. You are only the jars he makes! Should the thing that was created say to the one who made it, “He didn’t make us”? Does a jar ever say, “The potter who made me is stupid”?”  How true are these words?  Have you ever tried to hide your plans from God?  Did it work out?  How apropos the point in verse 16 is where some people said: “God didn’t make us!”  Ever hear words like this today from others?  How sad is this?  Will you pray for others in your life today who may feel that God didn’t make them?  Will you pray for those in your life today that do not believe in God?  Will you pray for them to learn that indeed the potter who made them is not stupid?  Will you pray that they learn that the Potter who made them is God who loves them so very dearly!

Worship God: Rich Mullins’ song “Creed” with the line of “I did not make it, though it is making me” is a great reminder of us being made by the Potter per our Isaiah readings:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9LR2hFP1yb4

Do you believe in God the Father? Click here and get to know the Almighty Maker of Heaven and Earth!

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Chronological Bible readings at this link.

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