READING FOR APRIL 15, 2026: ISAIAH 54, 1 CORINTHIANS 9, PSALM 32:1-5
ISAIAH 54 Verse one is a word of the Lord given through Isaiah to the people in Judah who soon would be going into exile. It gives them hope that can help them get through their up- coming trial by promising the most positive outcome any infertile couple of the time could imagine: lots of children. Yet, we learn in Galatians that this promise also looks back to Abraham, Sarah, and Issac while looking ahead to our present time as Christ’s church and even forward to the heavenly city: But the Jerusalem above is free; she is our mother. For it is written: ‘Rejoice, infertile one, you who do not give birth; Break forth and shout, you who are not in labor; For the children of the desolate one are more numerous than those of the one who has a husband.’ And you, brothers and sisters, like Isaac, are children of promise” (Gal. 4:26-28). If there was ever a prophecy that was multi-layered, this is it.
Verses 2-3 point to the time of God’s people’s resettlement in Judea. One wonders if the direction to prepare for their descendants possessing other nations, might also be a prophecy of the present expansion of Christianity throughout the world. Verses 4-8 use the simile of God’s people being his beloved bride. This is the image that Paul also uses: “For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. This my- stery is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church” (Eph.5:31-32). As does John later on: Let’s rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, because the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His bride has prepared herself. It was given to her to clothe herself in fine linen, bright and clean; for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints” (Rev. 19:7-8). We can trust the Lord to be the very best husband.
In verses 9-10, God likens his marital commitment to us as having the same strength as His promise to Noah never to flood the world in that way again. He says things might look bad at times, as we often mention, but His promise to us and compassion on us will be enduring to the end. Keep looking for that rainbow that God gave Noah and us to confirm His word.
How empathetic of God to affirm that we on earth really are afflicted (vs. 11). We would think Him heartless not to take our problems seriously. Yet, somehow, out of all this material, our stones as the text says, He will customize our personal defensive wall of precious minerals: antimony, sapphires, rubies, and crystal (vs.11-12). If we are indeed His people, we can know that our kids will turn out fine, even after we are gone (13). In verses 14-15 God says to His people that any fierce attack of terror, as opposed to loving discipline, will not come from God. This is a promise this writer had not fully considered before and finds significant in understanding suffering as a Christian. This concept naturally leads to one of the most quoted Old Testament promises: “No weapon that is formed against you will succeed” (vs 17).
1 CORINTHIANS 9 Verses 1-18 - In this chapter, Paul addresses the rights of the Apostle. When Paul uses this term, he talks about a particular position in the early church. This term was at least originally READINGS FOR APRIL 15, 2026 CONTINUED: 1 CORINTHIANS 9, PSALM 32:1-5 reserved specifically for the twelve that Jesus had called as leaders of the church. The apostles consisted of the original eleven (minus Judas who had committed suicide) and Matthias who was elected to take Judas’ place in Acts 2. It seems that Paul has detractors in the Corinthian church who have questioned his authority as an Apostle. He is not one of the original twelve. However, in verse 1, he cites his qualifications. Paul has seen the resurrected Jesus (see Acts 9). His ministry among the people of Corinth has produced fruit. Paul then lists the rights of someone who is an apostle. Essentially, Paul is suggesting that an Apostle has the right to have the church to supply their needs (food, lodging, etc.).
Paul argues to require them to work at anything else to provide for their family and needs would distract them from the work. The ministry of the Apostle is so crucial to the Christian faith. Paul then asks a rhetorical question. If the Corinthian church has reaped the fruitful spiritual harvest from Paul’s ministry, then doesn’t that prove his Apostleship? Shouldn’t Paul have the same rights as Peter, James, and the others? Shouldn’t Paul be able to receive support from the people of Corinth?
And then, Paul changes course. Even though he has the right to demand these things, he will not. In Paul’s other letters (1 Thessalonians 2:9 and 2 Thessalonians 3:7-8) and in Acts 18:2-3, we see that Paul often worked at a trade to pay for his daily needs. In Acts, we see that Paul was a tentmaker. Since Paul traveled so much and probably could only carry a small number of tools, he was most likely a repairman. He also probably worked on more than just tents (https://www.biola.edu/blogs/good-book-blog/2021/was-paul-a-tentmaker-part-1-did-paul-make-literal-tents).
Verses 19-23 In this section Paul expounds upon his ministry. He sums it up by saying: “I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings” (1 Corinthians 9:22b-23). Paul is essentially stating that he meets people where they are to share the Gospel with them. He presented himself and followed their customs to show them the truth of life in Jesus’ name.
Verses 24-27 Paul uses the image of the preparation of running a race to emphasize the need for Christians to have discipline. To follow Christ, we need to engage in specific training. We need to discipline our spiritual lives and learn from Christ to live lives worthy of the Gospel.
PSALM 32:1-5 This psalm is a grateful testimony of joy. The psalm is a dialogue between God and the Psalmist. It is presented as a form of worship amid worshippers in the sanctuary. The psalm lifts up God’s gift of forgiveness for those who confess their sin and choose to repent. The psalm begins by lifting up the blessed. It uses repetition to emphasize the reason for the blessing. Those who are forgiven, whose sins are covered, and those whose sins are not counted against them are the ones who are blessed. It is God who chooses to forgive and is the source of our blessing. Verses 3-4 give an experience of what it feels like to not acknowledge your sin before God. There can be a weight upon you. When you are not living in accordance with God’s commandments, you can feel that oppressiveness that comes from known disobedience. You know you are out of line, and the guilt can affect you in several ways. Again, repetition is used to emphasize what is going on. The Psalmist (David) acknowledged his sin, did not cover up his iniquity, confessed his transgress- ions, and was able to receive God’s forgiveness. When we confess our sins to God, we will be forgiven.
