Passage
Isaiah 59:1-21 (ESV)
God Accepts Those Who Fear Him
Acts 10:17-35
Key Verse: 10:34
His Own Arm Achieved Salvation for Him
Date: Apr. 7, 2018
Daily Bread
Key Verse: 59:16
He saw that there was no man,
and wondered that there was no one to intercede;
then his own arm brought him salvation,
and his righteousness upheld him.
1. Sin separates us from God (1-14)
God's arm is mighty, but it is sin that separates us from him. Sin makes us wicked: like liars and troublemakers, violent and scheming evil. The world has no peace. The pronoun change in verse 9 shows that even those who look for justice and deliverance do not find it. Why? Instead of blaming wicked people, we need to acknowledge and repent our own sins of rebellion and treachery against God.
2. God redeems those who repent (15-21)
God was displeased with what he saw and was appalled that there was no one to intervene. The state of our world matters to God. Yet he is not powerless. He took the initiative to achieve salvation with his own righteousness, providing redemption for sinners through the gospel of Jesus. He comes to redeem those who repent of their sins. His new covenant gives us hope to obey his word.
Prayer: Father, I repent my rebellion. Thank you for Jesus, in whom I find redemption and hope.
One Word: The Lord's arm is mighty to save
