READING FOR APRIL 28, 2026: ISAIAH 63, 2 CORINTHIANS 2, PSALM 36:5-12
ISAIAH 63 This chapter is a unique prophesy in that it is in the form of dialogue, almost like a person (likely Isaiah) interviewing God. First, we have the interviewer asking who is coming from Edom (which means red), specifically Bozrah, its capital city. Edom was the nation south of Israel that descended from Esau, the brother of Jacob. God said it is He who is mighty to save and is coming from trampling Edom in His wrath. We learn in Obadiah God was angry with them because of their actions when Babylon captured Judah: “Because of violence to your brother Jacob, Shame will cover you, and you will be eliminated forever. On the day that you stood aloof, on the day that strangers carried off his wealth, and foreigners entered his gate and cast lots for Jerusalem—You too were as one of them” (Obad. 1:10-11). God added that He poured out all their life blood (vs. 6) with no one to help Him (vs. 5). His clothes even were stained with blood (vs. 3).
This writer has spoken with some wonderful people, including from Yorktown Methodist, who are not comfortable with such a vengeful God. Likely pastors over the years have not chosen to address this concept; it is hard for all of us. In this chapter, there are words that perhaps can begin to explain what is happening. In verse one God calls Himself righteous—all He does is right because His very essence is right. Also in verse 15, we learn God exists in complete holiness—He is totally separate from sin. Thus, because His sinlessness means His motives are always perfect and His righteousness means His decisions are always correct, only God can express His wrath (i.e., His settled opposition to evil). It is right that He do so, but wrong for us: “Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God” (Rom. 12:19).
Perhaps surprisingly to us, this information causes the interviewer to then talk about how wonderful God’s compassion, mercies, redemption, and salvation are toward His people (vs. 7-9). He admits that Judah had rebelled against God and grieved the Holy Spirit (vs. 10). This caused God to discipline Judah and appear to be an enemy (vs. 11). But this actually helped Judah to remember God’s goodness to them throughout history (vs. 12). The last five verses, though, end with the interviewer pleading with God to show that He still cares for them, asking, perhaps mistakenly this writer thinks, why God has caused them to stray from His ways (vs. 17). If Isaiah was wrong to accuse God of causing Judah to sin, he was right to confess that they were in a hopeless situation unless God returns to deliver them (vs 17). And so are we.
2 CORINTHIANS 2 Paul still seems to be explaining why he had not come to see the church in Corinth recently. As he stated before, he believes their reflections upon his previous disciplinary communications needed more time for them to gain a positive perspective. He hopes that, by now, they can understand his comments were made out of love. He in no way retracts them, though. Maybe those of us who have been parents can identify with Paul.
READINGS FOR APRIL 28, 2026 CONTINUED: 2 CORINTHIANS 2, PSALM 36:5-12
Paul goes on to talk about cases where the Corinthians had enforced church discipline. He advocated for this action in his previous letter: “I wrote to you not to associate with any so-called brother if he is a sexually immoral person, or a greedy person, or an idolater, or is verbally abusive, or habitually drunk, or a swindler—not even to eat with such a person. For what business of mine is it to judge outsiders? Do you not judge those who are within the church? But those who are outside, God judges. remove the evil person from among yourselves” (1 Cor. 5:11-13).
Now Paul urges not to overdo the punishment. Once the point is made and the bad behavior is eliminated, the church must be proactive in loving this person back into the fold. In fact, Satan can take advantage of the situation if that person is shunned once the problem is corrected. Many teachers and coaches have an intuitive awareness about bringing someone fully back after administering punishment. The church needs to be both intuitive and intentional.
Verses 12-13 are interesting in what they infer about following God’s will. First Paul sensed an open door to share the Gospel in Troas. Then, when he was there, he felt no rest in his spirit due to the absence of Titus, so he left. Might these be indicators for us in discerning God’s direction for us? If the Lord opens a door for a certain ministry, perhaps we should walk through it. Yet, if in the midst of the ministry we sense no rest in our spirit, perhaps it is a sign to discontinue and serve elsewhere.
Paul did not share the whole story in his letter to Corinth, but there was good reason for him to consider leav- ing Troas: “They went down to Troas. And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, ‘Come over to Macedonia and help us.’ And when Paul had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gos- pel to them” (Acts 16:8-10). That’s quite a good reason for not having rest in his spirit about staying in Troas.
Paul, a Roman citizen, was apparently familiar with the Roman triumphs, the processions held in honor of a returning war hero. This spectacle was discussed back about a month ago in connection with Jesus’s triumphal entrance. Here we see God leading us in such a procession through what Christ has done for us. We can main- tain a victorious attitude as we share knowledge of Him in every place, knowledge like the aroma of life. What a privilege to be part of this victory celebration. Sadly, for those who don’t know Jesus, this reality is the aroma of death.
PSALM 36:5-12 In verses 5-9 David spectacularly describes God’s attributes with soaring metaphors: God’s mercy extends to heavens; His faithfulness reaches the sky; His righteousness is a mountain; His judgments are deep oceans; His protection is covering wings; His delights are a river; and His life is a fountain. Do we have time to dwell on each attribute and its accompanying figure of speech? David was a shepherd, musician, song writer, warrior, and king. He was so busy that he likely made time to prioritize what was really important: contemplating God’s greatness. Maybe we will achieve more of eternal significance if we do the same.
He concludes this Psalm first by praying God’s blessings on other believers, including us. Think of it. David is on our prayer team. Then he prays for humility for himself. We should likewise, but don’t be surprised when God answers this by giving us good reason to feel humble. Finally, David seeks God’s protection. We need this, “so that [we] will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil” (Eph. 6:11).
