Day 372 - Isaiah 65.1-16 & Proverbs 31.10-31

 Michelle

This reading is titled Judgment and Salvation.  It goes on throughout about those that do not seek God and what will happen to them.  In the last verse God says all past troubles will be forgotten and hidden from his eyes for those that seek him.  

I have often heard and read women talk about being a Proverbs 31 woman.  Reading this passage it feels like we all strive to be this woman but it can get exhausting.  I say that because it comes with little to no recognition of your efforts and that can cause you to feel unappreciated.  I know we shouldn't be looking for recognition in this respect, but I can't deny that even I wish those around me saw the work I put in to maintain what we have, even though it's not up to their high standards.  I am not perfect but the woman in this reading sure seems to be.  I guess though, the point being made here is that she serves God and therefore serves her family and those she comes into contact with which is honoring God.  There is a devotional attached to this passage and one of the thought questions is, How many different types of people did her daily life and ministry touch, and How might you underestimate the many lives you touch each day.  This made me think of mom.  When we had her memorial, there were so many people there.  I know some were there to support Dad as well, but some of the ones that I talked to or that spoke, talked about how she impacted their lives.  I don't think she knew that she had touched or impacted that many people's lives.  I don't know if she wanted or needed the recognition or acknowledgement for it, but I personally find that I seek that from my boys and don't get it.  I need to stop focusing on that though is what I am getting at.  It's not the point of all of it, but the point is to serve God with our whole selves and serving our families is one way we do that.  Striving to be this kind of woman is hard for me in some ways, but is something I will add to my goals anyway.  

Julie

I can't think of much more to say than what you did about that part of the reading.

I will agree that it is hard to be this kind of woman. We do have a desire to be noticed and not maybe necessarily for what we have done, but really just to be noticed. I don't do the things I do for recognition and most of the time don't want it, but there are occasions where I too wish someone would notice the work I put in.

Day 371 - Isaiah 63:7 - 64 & Proverbs 31:1-9

 Julie

God's vengeance is explained and then he tells how he remembers that he saved these people once and he had promised to do so always. Then they ask for mercy and forgiveness.

Words from a mother to a son about how to treat others.

Michelle

The heading says praise and prayer, and to some extent I can see that but, like you, it seems that they are remembering how the people have been saved and God promises to always be with them.  There is a point where God is questioned and then they ask for forgiveness.  

This proverb is a mother teaching her son how to act toward those who cannot fight for themselves and advising him to stay away from alcohol.  This is also advises him to stay away from women who ruin kings.

Day 370 - Isaiah 62 - 63:6 & Proverbs 30

 Julie

Let's see if I am understanding this one correctly. The first chapter talks about the salvation that is coming for the people. Then it ends with God's wrath coming down on the people. Is this before he saves them? Is this a historical account of how he has handled them in the past? I am unsure of the context here.

This proverb was interesting because it talks about the things on earth that are considered wise, the ones considered small, the ones considered stately. I liked the way that some of these were worded and they can all be very thought provoking when you consider where we fit into that bigger picture.

Michelle

I am having the same uncertainty as you.  And I appreciate your interpretation as I was not sure about the whole thing while reading it.  But based on your words that makes sense, but it does seem historical, however, it could be prophetic as he's been talking about the coming of Jesus and in 62 vs 11 it says, "...'See your Savior comes!'".  So I am uncertain of the timeframe.  

I agree with your thoughts on the proverb.  Very thought provoking.  Alot of analogy here.  What stood out to me most were vs 7-9.  It talks about giving us only what we need and nothing more nor less so we do not disown God or dishonor God.  This really struck a chord with me for some reason.  

Day 369 - Isaiah 60-61 & Proverbs 29

 Julie

This is moving into God saving them. It explains how Israel will be the place that people will flock to looking for the light and righteousness. God will bless those that come, confess and do those things that are considered right in his eyes.

More instruction for searching out wisdom and knowing the difference between that and folly.

Michelle

I am not sure why but I don't really know what this reading was about.  What stood out to me was at the beginning of chapter 61 that says, "...He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives...".  I am not sure why this stands out but it really does.  The devotional made me think of you.  It focuses on verse 3, "He will provide for those who grieve in Zion - to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.  They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor".  

Verse 25 stands out, "Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe".  Aside from this verse, it seems to be repeating some of what we have already read.  But this verse seems to be calling us back to God and putting our trust in him.

Day 368 - Isaiah 58-59 & Proverbs 28

 Michelle

Chapter 58 seems to be talking about how people are doing what is asked but then "doing as they please", which sounds like not following God's commands.  It sounds like they are fasting and sacrificing, but their hearts aren't in it.  They are just going thru the motions.  I think at times we do this.  Or alot of people do.  We go to church, but then act opposite of what God would want.  Our actions should reflect what is in our hearts, that is what I get from this first chapter.  The second chapter is titled, "Sin, Confession, and Redemption".  As I read, it seems there was alot about Sin and less about the other 2.  Halfway thru it does say, "Our offenses are ever with us, and we acknowledge our iniquities", which I take to mean we admit to our transgressions and failure to keep our eyes on God.  At the end it says the Redeemer will come to those who repent their sins.  It does go on to say that God is always with us.  "My spirit, who is on you, will not depart from you, and my words that I have put in your mouth will always be on your lips, on the lips of your children and on the lips of their descendants - from this time on and forever."  It seems we need only call out to God.

This proverb seems to be speaking of heeding instruction and what happens when we don't.  It also speaks of greediness, saying that if we trust in the Lord we will prosper.  That we are not to try concealing our sins, as we will not prosper unless we confess in order to find mercy.  We must open our hearts to God in order to be blessed.

Day 367 - Isaiah 56-57 & Proverbs 27

 Julie

The first chapter talks about salvation for foreigners and the importance of keeping the Sabbath. The second chapter focuses on the ways in which the Israelites are focused on idolatry and how that is the wrong way to Christ. Chapter 58 verses 11-13, really stood out the most to me. "Whom did you dread and fear so that you lied and did not remember me, did not lay it to heart?" This is an important question because I believe that we tend to do this and justify it through our fear, and God is telling us that we need to fear him more and to trust that he will take care of things, we just need to stay righteous. "When you cry out, let your collection of idols deliver you!" Again, he is pointing out that in those moments of fear and uncertainty we turn to show many other things instead of Him in order to try and calm our minds, "But he who takes refuge in me shall possess the land and shall inherit my holy mountain." Words we should definitely live by.

This proverb is showing us how to have prudence and integrity to avoid retribution. This one talks about a quarrelsome wife as well, but the explanation for this one was really helpful. It mentions that the husband needs to realize that the way he treats his wife will affect their marriage and if he tries to restrain her then they will not be living in harmony and will be working against each other, and that is not the way it is supposed to be in a marriage. It also mentions a persons heart reflects the person just has a face is reflected in water. 

Michelle

It does read that God is giving salvation to those outside of his chosen people if they chose good over evil and keep the sabbath and follow God as he has commanded all to do.  It seems to be saying he will take care of the foreigners along with his chosen.  I agree that it really goes into the idolatry that has been and continues to be going on.  It seems a reminder that God sees all you do even behind closed doors.  That you cannot hide your sins from him.  It also goes on to talk about comfort for the contrite.   I had to look up that word, but it reads "expressing remorse or penitence; affected by guilt".  So it seems he is reminding us that if we repent and confess our sins, that we will be forgiven, but that it comes from the guilt of doing wrong.  

There are alot of verses that stood out in this one today.  I appreciate the explanation for the quarrelsome wife.  It's interesting that this verse included additional information about restraining her.  And the explanation makes sense.  I will probably share that with the husband as we were talking about how I have seen this verse alot lately.  Some of the ones that stood out to me are verse 2, which seems to be saying don't boast about yourself or be conceited.  Verse 10, "Do not forsake your friend or a friend of your family...", I feel like this was speaking to me as I was talking with the husband about the interaction with my friend the other night.  It was not necessarily a positive comment.  Verse 17 is a well-known one, "As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another".  This one I think is really about helping one another grow.  That we can't do it alone.  Verse 20 is a reminder that as humans we are never satisfied, which is true.  We are always seeking more or something new and seem to never be satisfied with where we are in life.  Verse 23 seems to be saying keep your eyes on your own stuff.  

Day 366 - Isaiah 54-55 & Proverbs 26

Michelle

I do not know why but I have been stressed lately.  I didn't realize it till just now when the husband was talking to me asking me why I am stressed and I said, "I have no idea, I don't feel like I have been stressing and I don't think I have anything to be stressed about."  But I have had nighttime anxiety and have been clenching my teeth which is causing me pain and headaches.  As I read this passage today, I am taken to the picture I sent you last night as we are reading the verse that goes along with it.  Chapter 54 verse 17, "No weapon formed against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you".  This reading today starts with God calling to the barren and desolate woman and he tells them not to be afraid or fear disgrace as God is the redeemer.  This could be talking to alot of people that feel they are not worthy of redemption.  And the second chapter is a call to all those who are thirsty and to listen, "Give ear and come to me; listen that you may live".  It seems to be a call to return to God as it says, "Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near .... Let them turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will freely pardon."  

The proverb seems to be mostly talking about fools and foolishness we should be trying to stay away from.  Toward the end it talks about speech and deception.  That we should watch out for what we say and getting involved in other's business, we need to stay out of the drama is what is sounds like to me.  Which is interesting as I met with my friend the other night and she shared with me all the drama going on in her neighborhood with all her neighbors and I just kept thinking, I am thankful I don't live in the same neighborhood and also that we do not have that close of connections with people that we are informed of all their drama.  I don't know if it's a good thing that we don't have that close of connections with people but I feel like I tend to take on other people's stress when I am that close with people.  I can't handle that at this point in life.  

Julie

With that God is promising that if they turn to him he will not forsake them. He promises that he will not react in anger as he had done before but is planning a new way for them to receive salvation instead of clearing the earth through flooding. 

I believe that you are correct in that it is continuing with right and wrong. Even the explanations for these proverbs don't really explain them. I wonder if it's because they can be interpreted differently depending on our state of minds or life situation at the time of reading them.