September 20

Isaiah 33:10-36:22, Galatians 5:13-26, Psalm 64:1-10, Proverbs 23:23 



Pray: Welcome the Holy Spirit into this set apart time today. It is the Spirit who “gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires” (Galatians 5:17). Ask God to search and even replace the core desires of your heart that drive your words, thoughts, decisions, and actions.

Read: Isaiah instructs us to “search the book of the Lord, and see what he will do…(what) the Lord has promised…His Spirit will make it all come true” (Isaiah 34:16).  Read with great anticipation of God revealing His character and His plans.

Edify: Isaiah speaks of two forces constantly fighting one another at a national level. There are nations and Assyria mocking and threatening Israel, however there’s that voice of the sovereign Lord promising He will overcome the other nations and restore Israel. God speaks of the “Highway of Holiness” that the ransomed people of God will travel safely back through what was a barren land. Paul shows us that this promise points not only to a nation's history, but also to the condition of the human heart while sin nature has left us barren and on a path to destruction. The Holy Spirit has made a Highway of Holiness, ransomed back and restored our lives, and has brought about the fruit of the Spirit in what was barren. “Let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives!” (Galatians 5:25). 

Practice: Invite someone you trust in your family or life group to read Galatians 5:16-26 and invite them to assess the results of your life. Have you been prone to outbursts of anger or other results of the sinful nature? Is there evidence of gentleness, kindness, self-control, love etc? Pray together for the Spirit’s work in your life, redeeming your desires, and your willingness to obediently walk in His ways.

September 19

Isaiah 30:12-33:9, Galatians 5:1-12, Psalm 63:1-11, Proverbs 23:22 



Pray: Search for God. Survey the uncertainty and the illusion of your own control over your next breath, next drive in the car, safety of a loved one, opinions of others about you; and then let your soul thirst for the One who has all power and glory in His sanctuary. Spend time praising and growing in desire for Him.

Read: What or who is the ultimate source for power in your life? This power source is where you place your hope, faith, and trust. Is it your own power? The government or national alliances? Religion or your own moral record? As you read today, consider the places that people, even the people of God, are placing their faith in places that are not the ultimate source of power. 

Edify: There is crisis in each reading whether it is the threat of exile, false teaching, or feeling stuck in the wilderness. Crisis has a way of making us evaluate, or at worst scramble, to find the source of power that can overcome our predicament. Isaiah highlights the sovereignty when an empire is bearing down on Israel. Another empire is not the answer. The sovereign Lord says, “Only in returning to me and resting in me will you be saved” (Isaiah 30:15). The Assyrian empire will be destroyed and sorrow is waiting on you if you put your trust in Egypt who are mere humans. For Paul, the crisis of returning to the law and leaning on the power of your own moral achievement is also futile. This misguided faith in your own works actually enslaves you, when a relationship with Christ has set you free. We must place our faith in Christ, Paul says, and then life becomes more about our faith expressing itself in love (Galatians 5:6).

Practice: What adversity has God set in your life? God Himself says that He gives adversity but “he will still be with you to teach you.” The Lord will guide you and you will see God in the trial. Today, practice both listening and praising as you’re filled with faith in the midst of that particular adversity. 

September 18

Isaiah 28:14-30:11, Galatians 3:23-4:31, Psalm 62:1-12, Proverbs 23:19-21 



Pray: Begin with the great privilege, which is evidence of the Spirit of God alive in your heart, of crying out “Abba Father.” Thank God that He has adopted you as His child and has made you an heir.

Read: Consider all the ways the Father protects His children and provides for His children as you read. The Lord even addresses rebellious and wayward children in Isaiah with a firm warning but yet a tender call to return to Him in faith. 

Edify: Jesus has turned our distant but respectful “Yes sir” into a passionate and intimate “Abba, Father.” “Abba” is one of the few Aramaic words kept in the Scriptures, which means it is treasured. The Holy Spirit gave it as a gift transcending the hundreds of languages the Scriptures are not found in. It is the very cry from Jesus’ lips in prayer when He prayed to His Father. It is indicative of the relationship with God that Jesus has invited us into. Paul says the law was a needed guardian, but now we have been set free into a personal, covenantal relationship with God.

Practice: Answer the question: “How is calling God, Abba, good news to my life today?” In what ways do you need to accept the forgiveness of God when under the weight of guilt and shame? In what ways do you need to accept the peace of God in the face of fear ruling your life? In what ways do you need to trust God and do the difficult work of giving, serving, and reconciling, knowing that Abba is watching over you? Knowing God as Abba has broken us free from slavery and given us an inheritance that will never spoil or fade. The Fatherhood of God should impact your life and spirit today.

September 17

Isaiah 25:1-28:13, Galatians 3:10-22, Psalm 61:1-8, Proverbs 23:17-18



Pray: What a great reminder. It’s just one finite line, but the impact is almost infinite. “All we have accomplished is really from you” (Isaiah 26:12b). It’s an acknowledgement that no matter how successful we may feel, how many goals we meet, etc., it is all really from the Lord. It’s all a gift from the Divine Gift-Giver. As you pray today, give thanks to God for all He has done in your life.

Read: It’s a beautiful image of a loving, caring, grace-filled God. Isaiah says in 25:8, “The Sovereign Lord will wipe away all tears.” He’s not a distant deity sitting on a throne casting out judgments. He’s not a dictator issuing orders. He’s a God who rejoices with us in good times. He’s a God who, when difficulties arise and bring pain and hurt causing tears to flow, He comes alongside us and wipes those tears away. I’m so grateful for a God like that, aren’t you?

Edify: Sometimes things need to be torn down in order to rebuild something far better. It can be emotionally difficult to accept this, especially if it’s an historic building, a sentimental place, or just something for which we have a fondness. Isaiah begins chapter 25 with praise to God for the “wonderful things” He has done. Then, he startles us a bit by saying, “You turn mighty cities into heaps of ruins. Cities with strong walls are turned to rubble” (Isaiah 25:2a). Isaiah praises God for tearing down walls. What walls and strongholds need to be torn down in your life in order for God to rebuild something better? It can be painful in the middle of the demolition, but the end result is far better.

Practice: Have you ever been amazed by someone’s kindness? Maybe they pay for your meal unexpectedly (should we ever expect a free meal?). Maybe it’s a card or a nice gesture that brightens our day. We’re caught off guard, if only for a moment, because of the kindness of the gesture. “When He was hung on the cross, He took upon Himself the curse for our wrongdoing.” If you’re amazed by a free meal or a card in the mailbox, how much more for one who takes the blame and punishment for all you’ve ever done wrong (and ever will)?

September 16

Isaiah 22:1-24:23, Galatians 2:17-3:9, Psalm 60:1-12, Proverbs 23:15-16 



Pray: Psalm 60 is a prayer-cry to the Lord for His mercy and deliverance. David expresses his heart’s desire to be rescued by the Lord. It’s an honest and very real plea. What is the desire of your heart? Do you need to experience the mercy of God? Have you been through (or are you in) a season of life from which you wish God would deliver you and bring you out? Ask Him!

Read: “At that time the Lord…called you to…but instead, you…” When you remove the exact details (names, locations, specifics, etc), what was just a part of someone else’s story can quickly become an indictment. To think that the Lord God called people to something and instead they chose something else is unfathomable. We shake our heads in disbelief at such things. Yet, how many times has God spoken to you and you chose a different path, a different response? Most people have been there. In Scripture, there were serious consequences to such disobedience. There are still serious consequences for disobedience. What is the Lord calling you to do? Which path will you choose?

Edify: You ever try to imagine a different kind of life? Maybe you imagine what it would be like to live full-time at the beach. Maybe you wonder about how a different career would impact your day to day living. Maybe you’re like me, and as you read, you imagine yourself being in the shoes of those you read about. I try to imagine how it must’ve been to be one of the disciples or a prophet to a rebellious nation. In Isaiah 24:6, a group of people are mentioned: “[Earth’s] people must pay the price for their sin.” It’s sobering and quite troublesome to imagine being in that crowd. With the coming of Jesus to earth, thanks be to God, we don’t have to count ourselves in that number who must pay the price for their own sin. Still, imagining such a thing does help create some gratitude…

Practice: One produces the other. At least that’s how it ought to be. Paul, in Galatians 2, addresses the subject of grace. When it comes to obedience and grace, there are many who would talk about one and forget the other. Truthfully, the two are not mutually exclusive. It is the grace of Jesus Christ that serves as the WHY behind our obedience. It’s not rule-keeping or box-checking that causes God to give us grace, but it is because of the gift of grace that we want to live our lives in obedience to the Lord, not the other way around.

September 15

Isaiah 19:1-21:17, Galatians 2:1-16, Psalm 59:1-17, Proverbs 23:13-14

Pray: Paul says it so nonchalantly that we will be sure to miss it if we’re not careful. In fact, the manner in which he states it implies that it’s so natural for him that it’s just in his character to do such a thing without even thinking about it. “I went there because God revealed to me that I should go” (Galatians 2:2a). There it is! He went because, quite simply, God wanted him to go. My prayer is that I would be so obedient that my obedience is more of a character trait than a choice, so that it would simply happen without really even thinking. When God asks me to do something, I just do that thing without hesitation. Will you join me in that prayer?

Read: The watchman in Isaiah 20 reminds me of different seasons of my life. I’ve stood on walls for long periods seemingly just so that I can stand on a wall some more. Have you ever felt like you were waiting on something to happen (maybe for God to move/speak, career to take off, life to get better, etc.)? Take heart, the watchman of God waited patiently and then proclaims, “Now at last - look!” Keep watch. The Lord will show up if we are looking for Him.

Edify: We continue our reading of various nations, their rebellion against the Lord, and the destruction that comes as a result of that rebellion. Yet, in the midst of such hard reading, we find not just a glimmer of hope, but a beacon. “When the people cry to the Lord for help against those who oppress them, he will send them a savior who will rescue them. The Lord will make himself known to [them]” (Isaiah 19:20b-21a). When we turn from our rebellion, when we cry out to the Lord, He hears us, sends us a Savior, and makes Himself known to us! Great news in the middle of such brokenness…ah, the Gospel!

Practice I’ve always found it fascinating that people as a whole want to dictate how others act and live their lives…mostly it should be how they themselves live their lives. Perhaps it stems from our sin nature, maybe it’s from a selfish or prideful point of view. Nevertheless, it shows up even in the local church, both then and now. Paul asks in Galatians 2:14 “…why are you now trying to make these Gentiles follow the Jewish traditions?” We cannot hold non-Christians accountable to Christian standards. Perhaps we would do better focusing on the log in our own eye…

September 14

Isaiah 15:1-18:7, Galatians 1:1-24, Psalm 58:1-11, Proverbs 23:12



Pray: We make judgment calls every day. It’s called discernment in more spiritual circles. How pure are our motives when we make those calls? David, the writer of Psalm 58 reminds us of what happens when we judge unfairly…read it, it’s not good. Ask the Lord to prepare your heart and make your motives pure. Get your heart in line with His.

Read: Proverbs 23:12 is simplistic in its structure, but profound in its challenge! Here these words: “Commit yourself to instruction; listen carefully to words of knowledge.” Few people, save for the above-average student, can say this sounds like them. One of the wisest men to ever live wrote those words, so we should pay a bit more attention. As you read the Scriptures, what instructions are there? Commit yourself to those instructions and words of knowledge. You can’t go wrong.

Edify: Much of Isaiah’s prophecy in the reading today is bleak. It’s about destruction and ruin. It’s not an encouraging read, but instead it serves more as a warning to us. In 17:7, we read, “Then at last the people will look to their Creator and turn their eyes to the Holy One of Israel.” This happens after the people have lost absolutely everything. Many have pontificated the reason behind why we don’t really appreciate something/someone until they’re taken from us. I think the better option would be to not wait until our lives are in complete disarray and we live in the destruction that came as a result of our sin, brokenness, rebellion, etc. Let’s stop now and look to our Creator, turning our eyes to the Holy One of Israel. Hear Isaiah’s warning!

Practice: Pleasing people and serving Christ are incompatible practices. That is precisely what the Apostle Paul says to us in Galatians 1:10. Does it bother you when people don’t like you? When someone is upset with you, do you obsess over it (even when many more people aren’t upset with you)? Maybe you’re a people-pleaser. Most of us are people-pleasers to a degree. The big question that we have to answer is, “Who do we want to please most, Christ or others?” Many days, it cannot be both. Where are you today?