READING FOR APRIL 30, 2026: ISAIAH 65, 2 CORINTHIANS 4, PSALM 37:12-26

ISAIAH 65  These first verses are enigmatic but fortunately we are given a big boast when Paul quotes them in Rom. 10:21-22: “And Isaiah boldly says, ‘I was found by those who did not seek me; I re- vealed  myself to those who did not ask for me.’  But concerning Israel he says, ‘All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and obstinate people.”  Notice how Paul differentiates the first group from the second, whom he clearly identifies as Israel. Based on this clue and the entire context of Romans 9-11, we can safely say that “those who did not seek me” refer to the Gentiles. Israel (of whom Paul is one) is called obstinate. In Isaiah, God continues to describe their behavior negatively: pursue bad ways, do their own thing, provoke God continually, worship at false places, break the dietary laws, and think they are great when they are not. Not a good grade.

God says He will pay them back for all these sins, including the sins of their ancestors. This last part might be tough to understand, but perhaps it means these were sins of their ancestors that this current generation didn’t renounce and stop doing. Also, keep in mind, the Lord kept stretching out His hands to them (vs. 2). On the other hand, God suggests there are a few who will be saved from among this generally sinful people. These are the juicy grapes (vs.8) among the otherwise bad clusters. This faithful remnant will find God’s mountain and pasture lands and continue to seek God (vs. 8-10). This could refer to the returning exiles from Babylon or to those Jews throughout the centuries who have received Jesus as Savior. 

In Verse 11 God warns those who choose to reject Him despite His calling out to them. Verse 12 said they that are headed for death, because He called but they did not answer. This is same future God foresaw for Adam’s and Eve’s disobedience: “But from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat from it you will surely die” (Gen. 2:17).  This is what John the Baptist said about those who reject Jesus: “He who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him” (John 3:36). And finally, this is what the Apostle John said will happen to those not part of Jesus’s Kingdom: “If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire” (Rev. 20:15).  Jesus more than did His part by dying on cross as payment for our sins. Now it is our privilege to communicate this good news to the world: “How are they to believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how are they to hear without a preacher? But how are they to preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things!” (Rom. 10:14-15).

Verses 17-19 seem to be a prophecy about Heaven as described in Rev. 21:1: “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away.”  Verses 20-25 seem to relate much more to the millennium period that follows the tribulation period but precedes the final judgment and heaven; this is mentioned in Rev. 20:1-6. The reason is because the Isaiah verses mentioned things are not present in heaven, such as birth and death. Even if it isn’t heaven, it sounds like a big improvement over our current situation in the world. 

READING FOR APRIL 30, 2026 CONTINUED:  2 CORINTHIANS 4, PSALM 37:12-26

2 CORINTHIANS 4 Paul opens this chapter by affirming that the ministry he has been given helps him to stay positive in challenging times. Yes, it is true many of us cannot travel as Paul did, until he was jailed in Rome and was forced to communicate through letters. Instead of traveling to more cities, these Pauline letters have testified for Jesus in every century and country since then. Many of us at our church remember Emily’s Sear’s letter-writing. Hundreds were encouraged through her ministry. Here are a few more ministry ideas from the Bible:

• “You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many” (2 Cor. 1:11);
• “I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayers and the provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ” (Phil. 1:19);
• “Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by ceasing to pray for you” (1 Sam. 12:25);
• “Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored” (2 Thess. 3:1);
• “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail” (Luke 22:32).

Are we praying for spreading the Gospel, for God to be honored, for family to be saved? Paul knows his physical body is declining but believes his spirit can strengthen. That’s where he is placing his emphasis in his later years, along with anticipating eternity. THIS IS WISDOM!

PSALM 37:12-26 The first verses suggest that there are lots of smart but short-sighted people who make evil plans against the poor and needy. Is this still true?  “’It’s overwhelming,’ said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland, during a[n] interview with AARP at the Department of Justice (DOJ) about what the federal government is doing to fight fraud — which is often aimed at older adults. He said that while the DOJ is dedicated to the effort, it’s challenged by the fact that these crimes are ‘innovative and constantly changing.’”  Here’s another case: “Taxpayers are losing more than $100 billion a year to Medicare and Medicaid fraud, according to estimates from the National Health Care Anti-Fraud Association.”

The fact that these deceivers think they will get away with this is laughable, according to this Psalm. God will hold them accountable. Those who live honestly have an inheritance that can’t be stolen or lose value. There is no need to be envious. Instead, we should double down on being generous, especially to those who are believers.  This is God’s original social safety net, so that the following will always be the case: “I have been young and now I am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his descendants begging for bread” (Psalm 7:25).