Day 50 of 90 Devotion

Dearest e-votees-

Day fifty of our cover to cover voyage through the Bible. If you want to see the readings for our trip through the Bible you can follow this link:

www.christthegoodshep.org/biblein90days.html

Peace,
Karl

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Day 50 Readings: Isaiah 14:1-28:29

These 15 chapters detail all sorts of destruction and judgment coming down upon all sorts of places that at one time or another were helping keep Israel down. It is rather bleak and depressing to read about the hard fates of these various countries. Perhaps these words were ones of consolation to the people of Israel but most of the joy and comfort they brought are lost on our modern ears.

Towards the end of today's reading, however, is found:

See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone,
a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation;
the one who trusts will never be dismayed.
Isaiah 28:16b

The study notes in my Bible link this text to:
Psalm 118:22, Isaiah 8:14-15, Matthew 21:42, Acts 4:11, Ephesians 2:20, Romans 9:33, Romans 10:11 and 1 Peter 2:6.

In the midst of these harsh verses about judgment and destruction is hints about the one to come who brings salvation and freedom.

Truth be told, we are no less deserving of judgment than Tyre, Sidon, Moab, Damascus, etc., etc. God has chosen to deal differently with sin through the life, ministry, death and resurrection of Jesus. We are made right and made safe and made secure not through our own doing but by pure gift from Jesus. When we build our lives upon that precious cornerstone and sure foundation we are saved.

Thanks be to God.


God, thank you for sending Jesus. Help us to build on that cornerstone. Help us to invite others to do the same. Amen.