Today’s Reading: Isa 35:1–37:13, Luke 12:22–59, Job 8:11–22

Today’s Theme: The way of the redeemed

Today’s lessons include the way of the redeemed, the call to not worry and the reality of hardship.

Isaiah 35:1–37:13

The way of the redeemed

And a highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Way of Holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it. It shall belong to those who walk on the way; even if they are fools, they shall not go astray. No lion shall be there, nor shall any ravenous beast come up on it; they shall not be found there, but the redeemed shall walk there. (Isaiah 35:8–9, ESV)

This chapter is a beautiful poem prophesying about the glorious kingdom to come, when Christ will reign from Jerusalem, war will have ended and all enemies will be defeated.

We will be strengthened as His people with our new bodies given to us in resurrection. We will be avenged because the devil will be judged and we will walk on the King’s holy highway, this imagery is the most encouraging.

In a way we are on the King’s highway today because Jesus said He is the Way, the Truth and the Life, Jesus is the way for us today. However, this points to the glorious day in God’s kingdom when we will walk on an actual highway, one where the enemy (the lion) cannot come near us.

Even fools like us will not go astray, we will walk with the redeemed in God’s kingdom forever. May this fill you with encouragement today, look forward to walking in the way of holiness as God’s redeemed people.

Luke 12:22–59

Don’t worry

“Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. (Luke 12:32, ESV)

Jesus teaches us not to be anxious or worried about how we will eat, what we will wear or where we will live. Instead of worrying about these things which are genuine concerns to many in the world today, Jesus points us to the Father by telling us as His disciples to seek God’s kingdom first and trust God to take care of our physical needs (not wants but needs).

Our Father takes great pleasure in giving us the kingdom and bestowing His treasures upon us. We must store our treasure in heaven and not get caught up in the worry and stress of the rat race on the earth, we are here as ambassadors of God’s kingdom. The truth is God Himself should be our most precious treasure.

Instead of being distracted by the worries of this life, we must always stand ready for the Lord’s return or call, living in a way that honours Him everyday.

Jesus brings truth which because of the evil of men’s hearts brings division. We must be aware that our stand for our King and his kingdom will bring us opposition. We must stand looking forward to walking on the way of holiness with the redeemed in the kingdom.

Reverend Taylor recently preached a message called Don’t Worry. You can watch it here.

Job 8:11–22

The way of hardship

Behold, this is the joy of his way, and out of the soil others will spring. (Job 8:19, ESV)

Some interpreters see the plant as referring to the ungodly making the point that God will quickly remove them from their place and they lose everything, which is true, the way of the world is superficial and temporary.

Others see the wider context of Bildad using the picture of this plant triumphing over hardship to encourage Job that his latter end will see restoration, growth and fruitfulness again.

As you walk in the way, you can be encouraged by both truths. On one hand do not desire the way of the wicked, it is false gold and will not last. On the other hand as you go through hardship on the way, know that you will overcome.

Jesus said in John 12:24 “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.”

From 17th until 23rd August the Daily Bible Reading notes will take a shorter summarised format for the summer break.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition on Luke 12