THE LORD SPOKE (October 7)

Daily Reflections from Scripture:

Isaiah 52-55

Isaiah 53

“Of whom does the prophet speak?” So asked the Ethiopian eunuch of Philip in Acts 8:34 upon reading this passage. It’s a good question! On many occasions, Jewish people have considered this text with the same question and concluded that it can speak of none other than the Messiah. In fact, it’s pretty difficult to read the selection (which begins in 52:13) and NOT think of Jesus the Messiah.

The first phrase of chapter 53 is often misunderstood because of English translation. Literally in Hebrew it says, “who believed our hearing”. It’s not a matter of “we reported it but nobody believed us”. It’s really saying, “we didn’t even believe what we heard ourselves”. Indeed, “He was despised and rejected by men”, even His own brothers and countrymen.

Philip P. Bliss said it so well...

“Man of Sorrows!” what a name
For the Son of God, who came
Ruined sinners to reclaim!
Hallelujah, what a Savior!

Bearing shame and scoffing rude,
In my place condemned He stood -
Sealed my pardon with His blood:
Hallelujah, what a Savior!

Guilty, vile and helpless we,
Spotless Lamb of God was He;
Full atonement! can it be?
Hallelujah, what a Savior!

Lifted up was He to die,
“It is finished,” was His cry;
Now in heav’n exalted high:
Hallelujah, what a Savior!

When He comes, our glorious King,
All His ransomed home to bring,
Then anew this song we’ll sing:
Hallelujah, what a Savior!


Psalms 41-42

We have a natural tendency to root for the underdog. There’s something within us that delights to see the one who struggles come from behind and succeed. It’s good to give aid to the one who can’t quite make it on his own but is trying so hard.

Blessed is he who has regard for the weak. (Ps. 41:1)

As king, David was in a position to do something about this. By his administration of justice, he could ease the plight of the weak. He could enact legislation that would protect children, widows, and the poor. He could provide for their care and do something to ensure their safety.

But I’m not a king. What can I do? Is there any way I can do something more tangible in my regard for the weak? Consider this:

1. Do a good deed for the elderly. Help out with some job they might have and can’t physically do. Take them out shopping and help get some supplies in before bad weather hits.
2. Cheer up the sick. Take them a good book. Read to them. Sit and listen for awhile.
3. Bless a widow. Do something for her that’s hard or impossible for her to do for herself. James says that “religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress...” (Jas. 1:27).
4. Protect a child. Give him a boost in life with a word of encouragement. Make sure there’s nothing at all in your example that would harm a little one. In a general way, do all you can to make the streets a safer place, get drugs out of the schools, and provide protection for vulnerable kids. That means tougher laws, better enforcement and throwing out judges who fail to apply justice by letting crooks and scoundrels back on the streets. But be more than just general in your approach. Get specific. Adopt a kid who doesn’t have a good home. Give him the things he needs to succeed - especially love.

And while you’re at it, fight abortion tooth and toenail. Here’s the ultimate opportunity to have “regard for the weak”. Those children have no one to protect them when their mother, with the aid of paid “professionals”, decides to murder them. You can make all the choices you want, but that’s not a choice that’s permissible under God.