Isaiah Chapters 12-22
Happy week two of Lent. Praying everyone has a fruitful Lenten Season. Reminder, for more day-to-day updates check out my Instagram.
Chapter 12: “Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the Lord God is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation.” Isaiah 12:2 This verse was just jumping off of the pages when I read it. This is now my lock screen on my phone, and I am doing my best to memorize this verse. I want to focus on the part that says, “I will trust and will not be afraid.” For so long I had not trust for Jesus and thought life would be better if I followed my own way. Life eventually lead me back to Jesus, however, I was afraid of what others might think and figured it was best to keep my faith to myself. It just reminds me that with Jesus by my side there is nothing to be afraid of and that I need to trust in him for what he has planned for my life. Do not be afraid of your faith.
Chapter 13: “For the stars of the heaven and their constellations will not give their light; the sun will be dark at its rising and the moon will not shed its light.” Isaia 13:10 This verse is a reminder that God is the only thing that will last for eternity. The stars could die, the sun burn out and yet Jesus Christ remains. This can also be related to the worldly things we have. Life on earth does not last forever and the things we have will not last forever. One day I hope to be in eternity forever with Jesus. I do my best to spend everyday living for Jesus.
Chapter 14: “When the Lord has given you rest from your pain and turmoil and the hard service with which you were made to serve.” Isaiah 14:3 We were made to serve the Lord. We also live in a world filled with pain and turmoil. Whatever it is that you are going through God is right there. One day we will be in heaven where our pain and turmoil will come to an end. The journey will be difficult, no one said life was easy. Yet, it will be worth it in the end.
Chapter 15: With the next chapters we are going to see the judgment and destruction of different nations. Chapter 15 shows the devastation of Moab. It can seem easier to go with society and have our attention on worldly things. It can also be scary reading about all the destruction. In my opinion it is just showing that no one is spared whether or not we follow Jesus. So, taking time to pray and go to confession buts us back in a state of grace. Having a relationship with Jesus does not have to be scary.
Chapter 16: Chapter 16 continues with Moab. Yes, we all will be judged for our sins but through Jesus we have the opportunity to repent for our sins. Each and every one of us has the opportunity to turn to God. That has to be a choice made every single day.
Chapter 17: “The nations roar like the roaring of many waters, but he will rebuke them, and they will flee far away, chased like chaff on the mountains before the wind and whirling dust before the storm.” Isaiah 17:13 When things start to go sideways in life, we tend to blame God. However, that is the time to lean even more on God. Whatever the storm, leaning on God is what is going to get us through the storm. Some life trials are just unavoidable. I know I have experienced my fair share. Yet, the only way I was able to get through the storm was leaning more on God and less on me. We were not made to go through life alone, and with God we are never alone.
Chapter 18: “For before the harvest, when the blossom is over, and the flower becomes a ripening grape, he will cut off the shoots with pruning hooks, and the spreading branches he will hew away.” Isaiah 18:5 When I read this my mind jumped to John chapter 15 where it talks about Jesus being the vine and us being the branches. Jesus is what connects us to God. One day the bad fruit will be separated from the good fruit. For us to bear good fruit we need to be connected to Jesus.
Chapter 19: Chapter 19 discusses the judgement and destruction of Egypt. This continues the theme of judgement for our sins. Yet, we all have the opportunity to turn to God and repent for our sins.
Chapter 20: We are all called to follow Jesus. Now this is not easy and does not guarantee we live a perfect life because we follow him. Chapter 20 is short and continues from Chapter 19.
Chapter 21: “To the thirsty bring water, meet the fugitive with bread, O inhabitants of the land of Tema.” Isaiah 21:14 This just reminded me of how we can run far from God and the minute we come back he will feed us. As Catholics we get our soul feed every time we receive the Eucharist. In return we need to feed those around us whether literally through donating food or volunteering at a soup kitchen or figuratively through spreading the Good News to those around us.
Chapter 22: “And I will place on his shoulder the key of the house of David; he shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open.” Isaiah 22:22 Jesus is the key to heaven. Through his death and resurrection, we are saved. We get to heaven through him. We can place all of our burdens on Jesus. We should also place all of our joys as well. Jesus wants to be there through all our life.
I used the Ascension Press app for the Bible. Have a wonderful week and praying for everyone.
