April 29

Journey-through-the-Bible-with-us

READING FOR APRIL 29, 2026: ISAIAH 64, 2 CORINTHIANS 3, PSALM 37:1-11

ISAIAH 64 This writer sometimes identifies with the prophet’s thoughts here. It appears that God’s word is so often distorted or ignored in many areas of current life.  Even folks who grew up in the church sometimes seem to have a take it or leave it attitude.  Wouldn’t it be some- thing if God would manifest Himself in an unmistakable way to grab our attention?  The Jews of this period read about how God made Mount Siani shake in the past, but they had no such dramatic personal experience of God’s presence. 

Yet Isaiah, who in fact had experienced a vision of God on His throne (Isa. 6:1), starts reflecting on right thoughts about God (vs 4)—in other words good theology. Linus is still right!

Isaiah states that the God of Israel is really the only God, that God will act for those who wait, that God interacts with the righteous, and that God had not forgotten them (vs. 4-5). Then Isaiah honestly reflected on Judah’s behavior. He confesses that they have sinned and caused God’s anger, that they are unclean before a holy God, and that no one really, really seeks God. May this not be an accurate description of us because God at some point may allow us to continue on this path: “As they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a depraved mind” (Rom. 1:28). See also: “Pay much closer attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away from it... How will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?” (Heb. 2:1-3). 

Having praised God for who He is and acknowledged the people’s sins, now Isaiah asks God for deliverance. This is a healthy approach and one we would do well to follow.  He asks the divine potter to have mercy on Judah, the clay in God’s hands. He appeals to God to have mercy on His people, on His cities, and on His house where His people praised Him. In other words, Isaiah beautifully and perceptively prays that God show mercy on them for His glory. This is fantastic way to pray for corporate deliverance for God’s honor, not selfish reasons. 

2 CORINTHIANS 3 Is it possible there is a more moving chapter in all of human literature? Hard to imagine. Rather than send or solicit letters of recommendation, Paul said the Corinthians themselves are his letters, the true evidence of his apostleship. They are the letters others read to learn about Jesus. How are we doing as an accurate letter or representation of Jesus to an unbelieving world? Do strangers at Walmart and drivers on McGalliard perceive Jesus’s sacrificial love when they observe us? Also, can we honestly say our impact on our children /grandchildren is such that their lives are our letters of God’s truth to them? How can  

READING FOR APRIL 29, 2026 CONTINUED:  2 CORINTHIANS 3, PSALM 37:1-11                       we, like Paul, convey God’s love and truth to the hearts of others? Paul says he was only adequate for the task through the Holy Spirit, not obedience to the law. It had nothing to do with his goodness, nor was this possible through the Old Testament covenants. Only after the resurrection can we be indwelt by the Holy Spirit by making Jesus our Savior and Lord (Rom. 10:9).  Paul reminds the Corinthians that Moses’s face was so bright that it was blinding as he brought down the commandments from the mountain. He goes on to imply that this radiance from Moses’s face is more like darkness compared with the glory of the Holy Spirit. Is our experience of the Holy Spirit that overwhelming? 

This Holy Spirit gave Paul such hope that he could speak with boldness. He was not embar- rassed or timid. He was indwelt by the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit and was sharing the most lifechanging message possible. It was not a time for Paul then nor a time for us now to shrink from communicating this truth with a world who will die eternally without it.

Paul mentions that the Jews of his day were unable to understand the scriptures because their minds were hardened. This is even more true today. According to a 2021 Pew survey only 26% of American Jews believe in the God of the Old Testament—let alone Jesus. They are among the most secular people on earth. Paul states that this can only change when they receive Jesus. There are some coming to Him now. Paul elaborates in Romans 11 that this will happen in massive numbers in the future.  Let’s pray both for that day and, as Paul urges, that we will become transformed more and more into the Lord’s image.

Psalm 37:1-11 David tells us not to get upset because of evildoers. Yet the suffering and death of the innocent at the hands of oppressors make many of us upset. Is David right? Let’s suspend judgment until the entire chapter is studied. Consider these opening verses:

  • Don’t be envious of wrongdoers. Why would we be? Their future is doomed. 
  • Trust in God and do good. It is much more productive than envy and frustration. 
  • Live where God has placed us and cultivate faithfulness. Don’t dream of greener grass elsewhere. There are plenty of opportunities to be faithful where we are, if we look.
  • Delight in the Lord. Popular culture cannot imagine this. It often portrays faith in Jesus as boring. Let’s not believe Satan’s lies. Walking with Jesus is totally thrilling. 
  • If we truly delight in the Lord, our heart’s desires will be to serve and love Him and to serve and love our neighbor. Mere stuff will not be exciting. 
  • David says rather than stress out over the success of evildoers we can wait for and rest in the Lord. To do otherwise suggests we know better than God.
  • In fact, our anger only starts a chain leading to our sinning. 
  • Instead, we should cultivate humility. This starts a virtuous cycle, leading to a godly inheritance.