May 4, 2011 (Isaiah 49-53)

Here are some verses showing God's love and purposes for us, even before we are born:

49:1 Listen to me, all you in distant lands!

Pay attention, you who are far away!
The Lord called me before my birth;
from within the womb he called me by name.




15 “Never! Can a mother forget her nursing child?

Can she feel no love for the child she has borne?
But even if that were possible,
I would not forget you!
16 See, I have written your name on the palms of my hands.

But the best part of these chapters are the fact that they point to Jesus. Chapter 50 sounds as if it is Jesus speaking:

4 The Sovereign Lord has given me his words of wisdom,

so that I know how to comfort the weary.
Morning by morning he wakens me
and opens my understanding to his will.
5 The Sovereign Lord has spoken to me,
and I have listened.
I have not rebelled or turned away.
6 I offered my back to those who beat me
and my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard.
I did not hide my face
from mockery and spitting.
7 Because the Sovereign Lord helps me,
I will not be disgraced.
Therefore, I have set my face like a stone,
determined to do his will.
And I know that I will not be put to shame.
8 He who gives me justice is near.
Who will dare to bring charges against me now?
Where are my accusers?
Let them appear!
9 See, the Sovereign Lord is on my side!
Who will declare me guilty?
All my enemies will be destroyed
like old clothes that have been eaten by moths!
An then chapter 53 is being spoken of Him, not by Him - As I reread this chapter I was struck especially by verses 10-12.

10 But it was the Lord’s good plan to crush him

and fill him with grief.
Yet when his life is made an offering for sin,
he will have a multitude of children, many heirs.
He will enjoy a long life,
and the Lord’s good plan will prosper in his hands.
11 When he sees all that is accomplished by his anguish,
he will be satisfied.
And because of what he has experienced,
my righteous servant will make it possible
for many to be counted righteous,
for he will bear all their sins.
12 I will give him the honors of a victorious soldier,
because he exposed himself to death.
He was counted among those who were sinners.
He bore the sins of many and interceded for rebels.
Because of what He was willing to suffer, He has many heirs. And I am one of them. Thank you Jesus.