Dave's Diary

Daily Reading: Isaiah 63:7-19

This complex prophetic word through Isaiah contains much to ponder, but our focus for today is particularly on what it reveals about what it calls “the steadfast love of the Lord“. Verse 7 explains that what follows is a recounting of the praiseworthy ways God’s steadfast love has been expressed. It’s noteworthy how many hugely significant words are used to describe God’s love. I’ll highlight them in italics below.

In God’s abundant love, He has had compassion on His people and been kind to them – doing great acts of gracious good to the undeserving (v.8). In His empathetic love for them, He has entered into their suffering and affliction, and then lifted them out of it (v.9).

When His people rebelled against Him, He resisted that rebellion, but His steadfast love also caused Him to be merciful to them. In the past He had shepherded them, presenced Himself among them by His Holy Spirit, revealed His glory through their deliverance, led them, and given them rest in the Promised Land (v.10-14). So now, from the pit of the painful consequences of their rebellion, His people cried to Him for mercy, pity and compassion.

Which one of those expressions of steadfast love do you most need today. Why not rely on God’s love today and ask Him to express it to you in the particular way you need?

Lord, please grant me Your compassion / Your grace / Your empathy / Your upliftment / Your mercy / Your shepherding / Your presence / a revelation of Your glory / Your guidance / Your rest / Your pity … not because I am worthy, but because of Your wondrous, steadfast love. Amen.