Thoughts on Isaiah 55

This morning I was reading Isaiah 55 (which is one of my favorite chapters in Bible) .  I always love verses 8-11.  However, I was reading the whole chapter today and was thinking about what a beautiful picture of the gospel it represents.  I think it shows God's character in an awesome way & shows how we should respond to His character and love for us!

Before you read my thoughts, check out Isaiah 55 ....
(this link will take you to Biblegateway.com and it is set as English Standard Version (you can pick whatever version you prefer to read). I like ESV and New Living Translation (NLT)  a lot! 

Here is what I saw from the scripture:

• Satisfaction in the Lord (vs. 1-2)
• God calls us to listen and obey (vs. 3)
• Listening & obeying leads to LIFE (vs. 3)
• He promises to make an everlasting covenant bc of His mercy (vs.3)
• Calling (vs.5) He calls us to go & proclaim the Word to others
• Intimacy with God (vs.6)  We can seek the Lord and we can call upon Him. He is near.
• Repentance (vs.7) He desires for us to turn from our wicked ways and return to the Lord
• Humility (vs.7) If we humble ourselves to repentance...
• Compassion (vs7). He has compassion on us and will pardon ALL our sins
• Mysterious (vs8-9) His thoughts and ways are mysterious and we don't always understand them
• Faithful (vs10-11) He is faithful and His word goes out and accomplishes what He desires
• Life (vs12) We will go out in joy and be led forth in peace! (Sounds like full life to me!) 
• Life-change (vs13) changes the life stealing thorns and nettle in our lives into life giving and beautiful cypress & myrtle.
• His GLORY (vs13) He has glorified us for His fame (Isaiah 26:8) and our fruitful (growing)  lives will be a sign of His covenant, faithfulness, power, and glory! 

Instead of a thorn bush...

the cypress will come up

and instead of the nettle....

the myrtle will come up;

 And it will be a memorial to the LORD, For an everlasting sign which will not be cut off. 
(Isaiah 55:13)


The life-change in our lives is what shows the glory of the Lord - the awesome thing is - He is the only one who can change us!  If we keep trying to do it on our own we look foolish and won't accomplish much or produce much fruit - but if we turn to Him and ask for forgiveness for our rebellion, we are forgiven, healed, and given FULL life with a purpose!