the Third Week after Easter
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Daily Devotionals
Day by Day Devotional - Year 3 of 5
Isaiah 54:1-17
The work in Isaiah 53:1-12 having been completed, the believer is now invited to rejoice and sing. Isaiah 53:10 stated, "when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed". The Lord Jesus would confirm this: "Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit" (John 12:24). Ch. 54 gives us a glimpse of this rich harvest. Here it refers to Israel the earthly seed, but the New Testament also speaks of the children of the heavenly family: "Jerusalem which is above" (cf. Galatians 4:26-27).
To welcome her sons and daughters, Jerusalem, long widowed and barren, is invited to enlarge the place of her tent, to stretch forth the curtains of her habitations. Because of the work of the cross, God is able to have compassion on her and to gather her up. His anger has been for a small moment, but His kindness will be everlasting (vv. 7, 8; Psalms 30:5).
"All thy children shall be taught of the LORD" promises v. 13, which is quoted in John 6:45. The Lord’s work for us consists of two great parts: He has borne our iniquities and He instructs many in righteousness (Isaiah 53:11 JND trans.). Let us not forget this second aspect and, if He has borne our sins for us, let us now allow Him to instruct us in righteousness. Thus we will be enabled to bear fruits of righteousness to His glory (2 Corinthians 9:10).
