Here are my thoughts and highlights from Isaiah as I continue my journey through the Bible:

  • "I’m sick of your religion, religion, religion while you go right on sinning." Guess that’s God’s description of a hypocrite.
  • "Work for justice. Help the down-and-out." I wish that one was easier for me.
  • I’m amazed at how often pride is addressed in the Bible and how little we like to talk about it. "Doom to you who think you’re so smart, who hold such a high opinion of yourselves!"
  • "I’ll go. Send me!" I’d like to say I’d respond the same way. Sometimes I wonder if I would.
  • "Call out his name. Ask him anything!" It’s encouraging that there are no dumb questions when I pray.
  • God commanded Isaiah to take off all his clothes and walk around town naked for three years. I’m glad that’s no longer a prerequisite for ministry.
  • "God will wipe the tears from every face. He’ll remove every sign of disgrace."
  • "We writhed in labor but bore no baby. We gave birth to wind." I could be wrong, but I believe this is the first documented instance of flatulence in human history. Just remember…he who smelt it, dealt it.
  • "Honor me by living holy lives."
  • "They look big and important, true, with officials strategically established in Zoan in the north and Hanes in the south…" [Insert your own boxers or briefs joke here.]
  • "But God’s not finished. He’s waiting around to be gracious to you. He’s gathering strength to show mercy to you. God takes the time to do everything right–everything."
  • God has done some unusual things to get people’s attention. To get Hezekiah’s attention, he rotated the earth backwards. That’s pretty cool.
  • "You’re the preacher of good news. Speak loud and clear. Don’t be timid!"
  • God promises to energize me when I’m tired. "Those who wait upon God get fresh strength. They spread their wings and soar like eagles, they run and don’t get tired, they walk and don’t lag behind."
  • "Don’t panic. I’m with you. There’s no need to fear for I’m your God. I’ll give you strength. I’ll help you. I’ll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you." I’ve had to hold tightly to that promise in the past.
  • Isn’t it ironic that we’re supposed to "sing to God a brand-new song" and yet we tend to get hung up on whether or not we should be singing some really old songs?
  • "When you’re in over your head, I’ll be there with you. When you’re in rough waters, you will not go down… I am God, your personal God."
  • "Be alert, be present. I’m about to do something brand-new. It’s bursting out! Don’t you see it?"
  • It’s encouraging to know that because of what Jesus did for me, God doesn’t keep a list of my sins.
  • At one point God said, "Do you question who or what I’m making? Are you telling me what I can or cannot do?" I think religion can become our way of telling God what he can or cannot do. Instead of worshiping Jesus for what he can do, we embrace rituals and rules–reducing him to fit our limited understanding of an omniscient and all-powerful God.
  • "But my setting-things-right lasts, my salvation goes on and on and on."
  • I’m convinced that God wants me to have hope for the future. "Look ahead with joy. Anticipate what I’m creating."