READING FOR MARCH 27, 2026: ISAIAH 43, ROMANS 12, PSALM 25:1-10 ISAIAH 43 Here is the last verse of chapter 42: “So he poured out on them his burning anger, the vio-
lence of war. It enveloped them in flames, yet they did not understand; it consumed them, but they did not take it to heart.” The first words of chapter 43 are “but now.” As we read this chapter, there are passages that highlight God’s anger due to His people’s disobedience and passages that speak of the confidence His people can now have of God’s grace. It is hard to interpret, but let’s hold to both truths by trusting in God, even if we are in the midst of the consequences of our sin.
The opening “but now” truths are that God is their creator and their redeemer (in their case redemption out of Egypt, in our case out of sin). We belong to Him and can know He will be with us in difficult times, which are inevitable in life. Verses 3-4 imply that non-believing people (i.e., Egypt and Cush) who opposed His people have been lost in the process of God’s saving His people. This is a hard truth but should drive us to be people of God not those who are lost. The next verses reassure His people that God will call them back from distant locations—likely referring to the upcoming return from exile from the Babylonian Empire.
Verses 8-13 speak of figuratively bringing the world’s people together to examine the evidence for God vs. all the other gods of other peoples. God says, if we examine the evidence fairly, the God of the Bible is true while other belief systems are false. This reality is difficult for many so-called educated and enlightened people to accept because it doesn’t seem inclusive. Nonethe- less, God says He alone is God. We can either be His witnesses (vs. 12) or His deniers.
Then this one true God says what He will do. He will bring down the Babylonian Empire for the sake of His people. At that historical moment, Assyria was still supreme, and Judah had yet to be exiled by Babylon. God said He will do this in the future so His people could truly declare HIs praise (vs.21). Does it not follow that one reason we are redeemed is to praise God?
Despite this wonderful future for Judah, they seem tired of God and had stopped worshipping Him as required. Instead, they burden God with their sins, even though He promises to forget their past sins. So, once more God asks for court to be in session to examine the evidence of God’s goodness. God determines Judah will be duly disciplined, which likely refers to the up- coming exile. As we have seen before, Judah’s dreadful lack of good sense and gratefulness for such a loving God are frustrating. Are we certain we behave better, though?
ROMANS 12 This chapter is a good answer to Job’s feelings of uselessness and maybe David’s uncertainty about his future as he flees from Saul. Even the first word “therefore” is helpful because it means that, because of God’s magnificent mercies of the Gospel discussed in Romans chapters 1-11, we now should respond in certain ways to this wonderful Gospel.
READING FOR MARCH 27, 2026 CONTINUED: ROMANS 12, PSALMS 25 Step One:As opposed to the old Jewish sacrificial system, we now offer our total selves to God. It is completely turning ourselves over to Him, not a way for Him to further our agenda! Step Two: We must intentionally avoid the world’s ways of life. For example, what does the world typically recommend for our retirement years? Likely it is not God’s plan for us. Step Three: Our minds, including our desires and value system, will be transformed and renewed. Aside from steps one and two, what can we do to allow God to renew our minds so that we can know His perfect will for us? Ask God and read His Word: “Let my cry come before You, Lord; Give me understanding according to Your word” (Psalm 119:169). Step Four: As we prayerfully consider our future in the ways described above, the Lord will be giving us certain desires or bringing certain needs to our attention. Still, we should not think more highly of ourselves than we ought (vs.3). Is this truly God’s desire for us or our own natural and self-centered desire? Use a combination of sound judgment and faith. Step Five: Finally, God’s will for our lives is always embedded in the Body of Christ. As we act in alignment with what God is showing us to meet the needs of the church, our brothers and sisters will have the honor of affirming our gifts or gently guiding us in other directions.
The rest of this chapter gives us ways to act, regardless of age but as health allows. We don’t have to guess if we are gifted in these areas because they are meant for all believers: full of integrity, opponent of evil, advocate for good, deferential, passionate, service oriented, joyfully hopeful, persevering during troubles, constantly prayerful, generous, and hospitable. Finally, always repay any real or perceived insults with total good. It is God’s way to overcome evil and will get others’ attention like hot coals being dumped on their heads: God’s upside-down approach to spiritual warfare.
PSALM 25 What a beautiful Psalm and how perfectly it speaks to walking with God as we age. We have the promise that as we lift up our souls to God, or as Romans 12 says, as we offer ourselves as a living sacrifice, we will not be ashamed. Can we claim that promise? Can we, as the Psalmist, wait on the Lord for his compassionate guidance (see 5 steps above)? Can we trust that the Lord will forget our previous missteps and be faithful in giving us purpose now for His Kingdom purposes? Are we humble enough to follow His lead and not insist on ways we think we should go? Are we obedient to His Word as we seek to know how to serve Him best. Do we really believe that the Lord will direct our ways in these last years, or have we given up because we cannot see a way? “He leads the humble in justice, and He teaches the humble His way. All the paths of the Lord are faithfulness and truth to those who comply with His covenant and His testimonies” (Psalm 25:9-10).
