This chapter is a bit “jumpy” – moving from one thought to another. Sounds like me.

First part talks about the Lord, how he brought vengeance, redemption. His clothes red with blood. This is no slap in the wrist. Verse 5 speaks to me, stirs something in me. Probably because of how God wired me, I understand this, “I looked, but there was no one to help; I was appalled, but there was no one to uphold; so my own arm brought me salvation, and my wrath upheld me.” (‭Isaiah‬ ‭63‬:‭5‬ ESV)

Isaiah remembers the love, goodness, compassion of God. Then he remembers how we rebel and grieve the Holy Spirit. Then how God has shown his power and strength. Then asks for mercy, for God to come and bring His kingdom. Then remembers again how unworthy, unclean, we are before a holy, immortal, all powerful God. Then makes another plea for compassion.

I think this is what it means to worship in spirit and in truth. This is true prayer.

God is concerned about numbers – because He is concerned about each person represented by each number.

Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips! Do not let my heart incline to any evil, to busy myself with wicked deeds in company with men who work iniquity, and let me not eat of their delicacies! (‭Psalm‬ ‭141‬:‭3-4‬ ESV)

Help me to guard my words, my actions, and my heart. This is a confession that I may not always realize right away that what I have said, or am thinking or doing, is wrong. Send people – and I should be surrounding myself with them – who love you and love me enough to rebuke me. May I respond with humility and gladness.

It’s humbling to realize how convenient my life is…

I have never known the persecutions and afflictions experienced by the Church, both past and present. Amazingly, even with a seeming disadvantage, these Christians have an abundantly growing faith and increasing love for one another, the kind that people can boast about. I don’t think the same can be said about me.

Faith is merely intention until it has been proven – real faith is faith that is tested.

Please pray this for me…

To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. (‭2 Thessalonians‬ ‭1‬:‭11-12‬ ESV)

What does Zion / Jerusalem represent (for me)? It represents the Kingdom of God, the people of God, the person of God. Those who by grace He has chosen and redeemed to be His. Those who are to proclaim the good news of this amazing grace, and charged to be instruments of justice.

At this point, Isaiah has already seen a lot. From being in God’s presence, to seeing pain and suffering caused by sin, to seeing the glory of God’s strong redeeming hand. There’s no turning back from such visions. “I will not keep silent, I will not be quiet.”

Maybe the problem is because we, I, do not see. Or cannot see? Refuse to see? Otherwise I would likewise be – not silent, not quiet.

There will be great days for you Zion. As for me, give me vision Lord…