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Isaiah 43 Reflection
Our theme passage for the Worldwide Day of Prayer is Isaiah 43:18-20b. We encourage you to carve out some space to reflect and interact with the Lord on this passage, listening to ways He might be speaking to you through it. You might consider looking at Isaiah 43:18-21, all of chapter 43 and even the broader context of Isaiah 42- 52 of the Servant Songs.
Some background on the passage: In this section of the book of Isaiah, the prophet is foretelling Judah’s exile to Babylon, as well as the subsequent return from exile. The people will be in captivity because of their sin, but the Lord will both liberate them from Babylon (42:18-43:21) and redeem them from sin (43:22-44:23).
The Lord is declaring that, although the people have turned to idols, He alone is God and He alone can save. In 43:16-17 Isaiah uses Exodus imagery to show that the same God who saved them out of Egypt can liberate them from Babylon.
[But] After reminding the people what God did through the Exodus, with a bit of irony He tells them not to remember the former things. He says He is going to do a new thing. Previously He made a way in the sea (v. 16), but now He will make a way in the wilderness (v. 19). ______
Reflecting on Isaiah 43:1. Isaiah 43 begins with a beautiful reminder from the Lord: “But now, thus says the LORD, who created you, O Jacob, and He who formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine." (Isaiah 43:1)
Stop here for a few moments. Ponder this verse.
1. What did God say about Himself and His people?
2. How does that resonate in your heart?
[As you desire and are able, peruse the rest of Isaiah 43, observing what God said about Himself and His people. Consider that you have been made one of His people through Jesus Christ’s atoning sacrifice. God’s desire to make you His, moved Him to give His own Son.]
God reminded His people that they were created by Him, redeemed by Him, possessed by Him (“You are mine.”), and accompanied by Him through flood and fire (Isaiah 43:1-4.) His people are His witnesses. His people are weary of Him; but God said they have burdened and wearied Him with their sins and iniquities!
The Lord, through the prophet, Isaiah, addressed His defeated people who were under worldly domination. They arrived there because of their continued sin, rebellion and idolatry. In other words, it is their own fault. Yet God consoles His discouraged people. Sound familiar? Page | 2
Take time now to sit in Isaiah 43:16-21.
1. Pray and invite the Lord Jesus, who is the Word made flesh, to speak through His Word.
2. Read and pray through the passage three times, each time bringing a different question to the Lord.
Reading One: The first time through, read while asking this question of the Lord: “Lord, what word or phrase are you bringing to my attention?”
Reading Two: The second time through, read while asking this question of the Lord: “Lord, what feeling or emotion are you stirring in me through this word or phrase?”(You might look at the emotions listed on the next page.)
Reading Three: The third time through, read while asking this question of the Lord: “Lord, what is your invitation to me in this?”
Prayer. Spend time talking with God about what He has spoken to you in this passage. Thank your Father for His Word and His Holy Spirit guiding you.
Share. If you are doing this on your own, consider sharing with a friend who can listen and pray with you. If you are doing this as a group, offer time to share and listen to one another. Keep discussion to a minimum and allow the sharing time to be a special offering of what God has spoken to each person, savoring the parts of God’s Word that the Holy Spirit highlighted for each person. Pray for one another.
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Sample List of Emotions
Happy Loving Peaceful Blissful Affectionate Calm Delighted Compassionate Contented Enthusiastic Friendly Relaxed Excited Nurturing Quiet Glad Tender Satisfied Gleeful Trusting Serene Grateful Warm Tranquil Joyful
Sad Depressed Discouraged Burned out Disheartened Dejected Down Despondent
Gloomy Helpless
Hurt Hopeless Lonely Listless Melancholy Weary Withdrawn Angry Agitated Playful Bitter Adventurous Enraged Childlike Exasperated Creative Furious Free Irritated Lightheaded Mad Lively Resentful Spontaneous Whimsical Afraid Anxious Confused Fearful Ambivalent Horrified Bewildered Nervous Conflicted Panicked Perplexed Scared Torn Shaky Troubled Terrified Uneasy