Sunday: Ecclesiastes 12
The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil. My son, beware of anything beyond these. Of making many books there is no end, and much study is a weariness of the flesh. – [Read the chapter]
Ecclesiastes 12:12-14 ESV
After all these teachings from Ecclesiastes (from the Hebrew, Koheleth, “of the teacher,”) Solomon draws a simple conclusion. Our duty is to fear God. Too much talk and study may deter us from the simplicity of reverence for God. God is the only one who judges, be careful and keep his commands.
Monday: Song of Solomon 1
‘ Draw me after you; let us run. The king has brought me into his chambers. We will exult and rejoice in you; we will extol your love more than wine; rightly do they love you. your anointing oils are fragrant; your name is oil poured out; therefore virgins love you. Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth! For your love is better than wine;’ [Read the chapter]
The Song of Solomon 1:2-4 ESV
God’s premier text on romance and sex. It’s the story of two people in love. We also get insight about God’s passion for his people. Lord, that we would care and delight in God and his people. The hebrew word, “to know” carries the full continuum of knowledge from acquaintance to loving intimacy. Knowing God is eternal life. A knowledge of covenant commitment and loving faithfulness should be the standard between lovers.
Tuesday: Isaiah 6
And he touched my mouth and said: “Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for.” Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a burning coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar. And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here I am! Send me.” [Read the chapter]
Isaiah 6:6-8 ESV
The prophet Isaiah’s call is initiated by a concern for holiness. Here it says, “guilt is taken away,” God burns away the impurities on Isaiah’s lips. How could God do the same for you? Imagine the heart of the prophet. Look at his willingness to do whatever the Lord has commanded him.
Wednesday: Isaiah 40
but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. [Read the chapter]
Isaiah 40:29-31 ESV
Patience is hard to come by; so is strength but God says that one brings the other. We must do something to move forward and be productive. But where does our help come from? Are you weak? He gives power.
Thursday: Isaiah 53
But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth. [Read the chapter]
Isaiah 53:5-7 ESV
400 years before Alexander the Great invented crucifixion and 700 years before the death of Jesus. Isaiah predicted the sacrifice of Christ. Pierced, five great wounds inflicted by the Romans. Before we had a chance to confess our rebellion, God made a way for us to return. Speechless, what can we say? Christ went with all humility to his own destruction.
Friday: Isaiah 55
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord . For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. [Read the chapter]
Isaiah 55:8-9 ESV
God is different. One theologian calls him, “Wholly other.” His thoughts are higher thoughts than ours. There will be no end to discovering the mind of God. We have all of eternity to experience the Wonder of God. Has God surprised you recently by how different and strange his ways are?
Saturday: Isaiah 61
The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the Lord ‘s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; [Read the chapter]
Isaiah 61:1-2 ESV
Jesus quotes this text in his first sermon at the synagogue in his hometown of Nazareth. Isn’t it strange that God so loved the world that he sent a preacher. More than the words he spoke, the divine integrity and action of the Son. The Spirit anointed Son teaches us how to live by the power and anointing of the Spirit.