Isaiah 48:17 - The Gift of God's Word.
Isaiah 48:17 (NIV) This is what the LORD
says - your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel:
I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what
is best for you, who directs you in the way you
should go.
Isaiah 48:17 (NLT) The LORD, your
Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel, says: I am the LORD
your God, who teaches you what is good and leads
you along the paths you should follow.
INTRODUCTION
Like a loving parent, God teaches and
directs us. We should listen to him because peace
and righteousness come to us as we obey his
Word. Refusing to pay attention to Gods
commands invites punishment and threatens that peace
and righteousness. [Life Application SB]
COMMENTARY PEARL
How does the Bible help us develop
spiritually? First, it points us to the truth - about
God, about ourselves, about the world, and most
of all about Jesus and His love for us. The
Christian faith isn't just a matter of personal
opinion or unfounded optimism. It is rooted in the
unchanging truth of God, revealed to us in the pages of
His written Word. The Bible is the constant rain
that waters our root system of faith.
How can we be sure we make right
decisions in life? By applying biblical principles.
The world has its own values and goals, but they
will never give us the lasting security and peace
we seek.
Don't be intimidated by the Bible or
think it is impossible to understand. Even if you
read only a few verses a day, God can still use
it to reshape your life. Take advantage of
opportunities to learn the Bible from others - your
pastor, respected teachers on Christian radio, and
Christian books; but never let these things replace
your personal reading of Scripture. It is a
priceless gift to you.
How are you incorporating Bible reading
into your daily life? [Peace for Each Day by
Billy Graham]
COMMENTARY
The yoke is placed upon the oxen to aid
them in drawing the load, to lighten the burden.
So with the yoke of Christ. When our will is
swallowed up in the will of God, and we use His gifts
to bless others, we shall find life's burden
light. He who walks in the way of God's
commandments is walking in company with Christ, and in
His love the heart is at rest. When Moses
prayed, "Show me now Thy way, that I may know Thee,"
the Lord answered him, "My presence shall go
with thee, and I will give thee rest." And
through the prophets the message was given, "Thus
saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and
ask for the old paths, where is the good way,
and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for
your souls." Ex. 33:13, 14; Jer. 6:16. And He
says, "O that thou hadst hearkened to My
commandments! then had thy peace been as a river, and thy
righteousness as the waves of the sea." Isa. 48:18.
Those who take Christ at His word, and
surrender their souls to His keeping, their lives to
His ordering, will find peace and quietude.
Nothing of the world can make them sad when Jesus
makes them glad by His presence. In perfect
acquiescence there is perfect rest. The Lord says, "Thou
wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is
stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee." Isa.
26:3. Our lives may seem a tangle; but as we
commit ourselves to the wise Master Worker, He will
bring out the pattern of life and character that
will be to His own glory. And that character
which expresses the glory--character--of Christ
will be received into the Paradise of God. A
renovated race shall walk with Him in white, for they
are worthy.
As through Jesus we enter into rest,
heaven begins here. We respond to His invitation,
Come, learn of Me, and in thus coming we begin the
life eternal. Heaven is a ceaseless approaching
to God through Christ. The longer we are in the
heaven of bliss, the more and still more of glory
will be opened to us; and the more we know of
God, the more intense will be our happiness. As
we walk with Jesus in this life, we may be
filled with His love, satisfied with His presence.
All that human nature can bear, we may receive
here. But what is this compared with the
hereafter? {DA 331}
The source of Christ's victory, the secret
of His power, and of ours, lies in obedience
... In an obedient heart there is a way prepared
for God. There are many Christians who always
seek pleasure and satisfaction for themselves.
These have not yet learned that only obedient
children are happy children. That which in truth
brings abiding happiness is nothing else than
obedience toward God. For a healthy soul there is
only one thing that counts - to be obedient. Why
have so many of God's lambs so little assurance
of salvation? Why are their souls not
satisfied with the peace of God? God gives us the
answer in Isa.48:18: "Oh, that thou hadst hearkened
to my commandments! Then had thy peace been as
a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of
the sea." People say, "I lack faith. I have
too little faith; therefore I have no assurance
of salvation, no peace." But in most instances
it is not faith which is lacking, for even with
a trembling hand one can receive costly gifts.
It is rather obedience which is lacking.
There is something in their lives which they will
not let go, and which hinders the Holy Spirit
from giving them the assurance that they are
God's children ... No one who is disobedient to
God can have confidence in Him. Confidence is a
result of obedience. by G. Steomberger [Time With
God SB]
ONE LINER
Nothing of the world can make them sad when
Jesus makes them glad by His presence. DA 331
LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY
Isaiah 48:17, 18 - Follow God And Enjoy
Peace Like A River.
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2005/20050422-0758.html
John 17:17 - Holiness from God's Word.
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2020/20201007-1438.html
Romans 1:16, 17 - Power of the Gospel.
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2020/20200924-1151.html
LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT
https://abible.com/links/
