Daily Scripture: Isaiah 63:7 I will recall the grace of Adonai
and the praises of Adonai,
because of all that Adonai has granted us
and his great goodness toward the house of Isra’el,
which he bestowed on them in keeping with his mercy,
in keeping with the greatness of his grace.
8 For he said, “They are indeed my people,
children who are not disloyal.”
So he became their Savior.
9 In all their troubles he was troubled;
then the Angel of His Presence saved them;
in his love and pity he redeemed them.
He had lifted them up and carried them
throughout the days of old.
Reflection Questions:Isaiah 63 used the Hebrew word hesed to express God’s steadfast, covenant love, and the Hebrew ahav (also used in Song of Songs 8:6 of human love) to show God’s deeply-felt affection for God’s people. Human feelings come and go, so in human love the more central the emotional, feeling aspect, the more changeable it tends to be. But God’s love is strongly felt (ahav) yet also utterly dependable—it “endures forever” (cf. Psalm 136).
- This Isaiah passage looked back on Israel’s history—some parts of which could be summarized by Judges 21:25: “Each person did what they thought to be right.” Yet it looked different through God’s eyes of love: “God said, ‘Truly, they are my people, children who won’t do what is wrong.’” The prophet knew a God who is always willing to give God’s children the benefit of the doubt. What reasons do you have for being grateful God’s love looks beyond your failures?
- The first phrase of verse 9 also revealed the feeling side of God’s love: “During all their distress, God also was distressed.” Grief, disappointment or struggle all tend to make us feel isolated, cut off, as though we alone are going through this hard time. How can it comfort and encourage you to remember that when you are distressed, God is also distressed for you and with you?
Lord God, sometimes I imagine you as good, yes, but in a cold, detached kind of way. Thank you for the prophet’s message that you feel love for me, and for all of us, profoundly and caringly. Amen.
---------------------Insights from Donna Karlen
Donna Karlen serves in Communications at The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection.
It begins with a reminder that God is gracious and has done much for us. He is worthy of praise. I often forget that in my stream of prayer requests each day. “Please help me with _____. Please protect, please guide, please heal… please, please, please!”
The passage goes on to proclaim God’s mercy. Mercy is defined as “forgiving treatment of someone who could be treated harshly.” (Oh! Forgot that prayer request – “and please forgive!”) Verse 8 speaks to God’s eternal hope in us that we will always do the right thing. Well that certainly doesn’t happen. Hence “distress” does happen and we need some saving. So God redeems us – releases us from blame – over and over again. Every wonder why he doesn’t just flick us out of the universe? Instead, God’s presence in Jesus saves us, lifts us up and carries us – much like a shepherd with his sheep. My favorite image of Jesus is as our shepherd, guiding us, protecting his flock, doing everything to save us.
All because God loves us with “the abundance of his steadfast love.” Oh my, but those words are really full. And I am full of gratitude that God loves the undeserving and never lets us go.
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13720 Roe Avenue
God’s Mercy Remembered
7 I will recount the gracious deeds of the Lord,
the praiseworthy acts of the Lord,
because of all that the Lord has done for us,
and the great favor to the house of Israel
that he has shown them according to his mercy,
according to the abundance of his steadfast love.
8 For he said, “Surely they are my people,
children who will not deal falsely”;
and he became their savior
9 in all their distress.
It was no messenger[Isaiah 63:9 Gk: Heb anguish] or angel
but his presence that saved them;[Isaiah 63:9 Or savior. 9 In all their distress he was distressed; the angel of his presence saved them;]
in his love and in his pity he redeemed them;
he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.(New Revised Standard Version)
This is one loaded passage of scripture! Isaiah 63:7-9 pretty much sums up our relationship with God.It begins with a reminder that God is gracious and has done much for us. He is worthy of praise. I often forget that in my stream of prayer requests each day. “Please help me with _____. Please protect, please guide, please heal… please, please, please!”
The passage goes on to proclaim God’s mercy. Mercy is defined as “forgiving treatment of someone who could be treated harshly.” (Oh! Forgot that prayer request – “and please forgive!”) Verse 8 speaks to God’s eternal hope in us that we will always do the right thing. Well that certainly doesn’t happen. Hence “distress” does happen and we need some saving. So God redeems us – releases us from blame – over and over again. Every wonder why he doesn’t just flick us out of the universe? Instead, God’s presence in Jesus saves us, lifts us up and carries us – much like a shepherd with his sheep. My favorite image of Jesus is as our shepherd, guiding us, protecting his flock, doing everything to save us.
All because God loves us with “the abundance of his steadfast love.” Oh my, but those words are really full. And I am full of gratitude that God loves the undeserving and never lets us go.
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Download the GPS App
The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection
13720 Roe Avenue
Leawood, Kansas 66224, United States
913.897.0120
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