While all agree that progressive sanctification is important but does the Scripture view progress the same way we do? Is growth in the Christian life an acquisition of more strength or is it reckoning with our weakness? This devotion hopes to wrestle with the strength of weakness in the Christian life.

We are reminded by the Word always to give thanks.  No matter the circumstance, the Lord's grace and presence give us sufficient reasons for thanks.  

How can God justify the ungodly like you and me?  Because of the Servant who remained faithful as He suffered and substituted for us.

The Lord bears up his frail saints in the righteousness of Christ to bring to His glorious Zion.

Morning devotion from Isaiah 52:1-12

Knowing the “Servant” of Isaiah 49 not only provides comfort during the difficulties of our “exile” experiences, but also compassion and courage to help those who need the Servant's redemption and reconciliation.

God will provide redemption and peace to his people through the Servant of the Lord

The Lord’s oath-bound deliverance of Israel and the world is surely coming.

Fear drives us to find security in the idols we make instead of the God who has made us, chosen us and redeemed us.  Isaiah 44 justifies trust in the God of Israel and displays the foolishness of trusting idols. 

God encourages his exiled people by assuring them of his presence through trials, reminding them of their value to him, and promising to re-gather them.

Like Cyrus, which this text anticipates, the “Servant of the Lord” (in which he is announced in this passage) will bring forth Justice when he comes.  But what kind of justice is anticipated?

Isaiah 40 not only contains God's call to comfort his people but also addresses the concerns of the people and the prophet in light of God's judgment.   

God's word comes to his people as a time of judgment gives way to a time of comfort and restoration. We hear the command to comfort followed by three comforting voices.

The Spring 2019 opening President's chapel.

Would you ever use the word  “beautiful” to describe a church, a ministry or a sermon? Isaiah makes clear that when a ministry is full of the gospel of Jesus Christ it really is something very beautiful. 

There is a danger in American society of being burned out by the “everything is awesome” mentality where each moment needs to be extreme, meaningful, worthwhile and special. 

Although we were exiled for our faithlessness, the faithful Word which the Father spoke in Christ, through the Spirit, gives us faith.