Isaiah 48
v.9
For my own name’s sake I delay my wrath; for the sake of my praise I hold it back from you, so as not to cut you off.
It was on his own account - in order to show his covenant faithfulness; his fidelity to the promises made to their fathers, his mercy, his compassion, his readiness to pardon, and his unchanging love.
v.10
See, I have refined you, though not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction.
Similar to Psalm 119:71.
v.11
For my own sake, for my own sake, I do this. How can I let myself be defamed? I will not yield my glory to another.
v.16
“Come near me and listen to this: “From the first announcement I have not spoken in secret; at the time it happens, I am there.” And now the Sovereign Lord has sent me, with his Spirit.
The Holy Spirit qualifies for service; and those may speak boldly, whom God and his Spirit send. Whom God redeems, he teaches; he teaches to profit by affliction, and then makes them partakers of his holiness.
v.17
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.”
Reading A Cloud by Day and a Fire by Night by A.W. Tozer right now.
v.18
If only you had paid attention to my commands, your peace would have been like a river, your righteousness like the waves of the sea.
Loss of attention to God’s commands makes us prone to restlessness and wickedness.
v.22
“There is no peace,” says the Lord, “for the wicked.”
Lord, make me a soul winner.