ESOCS Devotional 23 May 2022
TEXT: ISAIAH 62:6-12
MEMORY VERSE: ““And they will call them ‘The holy people. The redeemed of the Lord’ And you will be called, ‘Sought out’ a city not forsaken.’” Isaiah 62:12 KJV
0 And the apostles, when they had returned, told Him all that they had done. Then He took them and went aside privately into a deserted place belonging to the city called Bethsaida. 11 But when the multitudes knew it, they followed Him; and He received them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who had need of healing. 12 When the day began to wear away, the twelve came and said to Him, “Send the multitude away, that they may go into the surrounding towns and country, and lodge and get provisions; for we are in a deserted lace ”
In Isaiah 59:1-3, the prophet lamented over the sinful life of Israel. He went ahead to insist that this had made it difficult for God to defend and save them. Recall that God’s eyes are so pure that He cannot look on iniquity (Hab. 1:13). On the contrary, however, God’s love is greater than His judgment of man’s sin. Hence in John 3:16, His ever enduring love moved Him to give out His only Begotten Son for the redemption of mankind.
In ancient Israel, despite the sinfulness of the nation, God ever remained mindful of His people. He appointed watchmen (prophets) to watch over the land and the people. It was the purpose of God’s watchmen to proclaim the promises of God. The watchmen were also to intercede through prayers for the people of God. Based on God’s greatness and power to fulfill, He committed Himself to a promise that must be fulfilled by Him. His promise here is that Israel will certainly be redeemed (v 8). Yes! Israel had suffered as a result of their sins, concerning which God earlier warned them (Deut.28:15-68; Judg. 6:4-6; 2 Chron. 28:18-19).
In verse 11, God declared to Isaiah of the coming of a Messiah, to bring all sins and sorrow to an everlasting end. For theentire Christian world (New Jerusalem), we see a sure and steadfast hope in the promise made to Abraham (Heb. 6:14-20). This sure hope is anchored on two facts:
- God bound Himself with an oath. He swore by Himself (Gen. 22:16; Heb. 6:13), which He would certainly bring topass. (2) We know that of a truth, it is impossible for God to lie (Num. 23:19; 1 Sam. 15:29; Titus 1:2). His words areever faithful, ever sure.
Emphatically, God cannot lie, neither has He ever broken an oath. The hope of Christians, therefore, cannot be cut short or changed. Every Christian should be rest assured that God’s promises of eternal rest is unchangeable (Rom. 8:24-25; Phil. 3:13-14). Let’s be merry, and continue to work and walk in hope. Without doubt, we are marching gloriously in theglorious future, unto eternal life. Praise God!
- If God’s promises are ever sure, what then must be done to inherit those promises? Discuss.
- Lord Jesus, you told Nicodemus that he must be born again. I pray Thee, having accorded me the status of a new born, grant me the grace to remain steadfast.
Read Other ESOCS Devotional here
FURTHER READING: 1 Kings 2:1-12; John 1:35-51; Eph. 5:1-14
Thank you for reading the ESOCS Devotional today. Please share and follow us on all our platforms to contribute to the spread of the Gospel.
ESOCS Devotional 23 May 2022
