Seven Inspirational Life Lessons from Isaiah

Was Isaiah Jesus’ favorite book? Paul? John the Baptist? The Early Church? This book is loaded with Messianic prophecy, lessons on life and powerful inspiration.

I love this book and the lessons I share are just a bit of what God gives us here. I challenge you to add to the list!

Seven Lessons

One – Simple Reality

God takes away our sin, unconditionally and totally. This is the beautiful reality that is given to us by God’s grace. Great blessing comes with obedience in fellowship with our heavenly Father, while hardship and discontent accompany disobedience!

“Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord:

       though your sins are like scarlet,

they shall be as white as snow;

       though they are red like crimson,

they shall become like wool.

If you are willing and obedient,

you shall eat the good of the land;

but if you refuse and rebel,

you shall be eaten by the sword;

for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” 

Isaiah 1:18-20 (ESV)

Two – God’s Great Promise

Hundreds of years before Jesus walked on the earth, we have this profound and sublime description of his ministry and eternal kingdom.

       For to us a child is born,

to us a son is given;

       and the government shall be upon his shoulder,

and his name shall be called

       Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

       Of the increase of his government and of peace

there will be no end,

       on the throne of David and over his kingdom,

to establish it and to uphold it

       with justice and with righteousness

from this time forth and forevermore.

       The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.

Isaiah 9:6-7 (ESV)

Three – The Messiah is Foretold (Again)

Six descriptors of Jesus are given here. The first pair are wisdom and understanding. We see that Jesus was never stumped by any confrontation. He displayed incredible knowledge of the word of God!

The second pair are counsel and might. Jesus taught his disciples giving perfect direction for their lives and continues to teach us in the same way. His life demonstrated the power of God.

The final pair are knowledge and the fear of the Lord. He lived a life of mission based on his knowledge of the Father’s will. He would not deviate showing us what the fear of the Lord looks in real life.

There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse,

and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit.

       And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him,

the Spirit of wisdom and understanding,

the Spirit of counsel and might,

the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.

       And his delight shall be in the fear of the Lord.

       He shall not judge by what his eyes see,

or decide disputes by what his ears hear. 

Isaiah 11:1-3 (ESV)

Four – God Gives Strength for Service

When we serve God, we can do so with the utmost confidence. Because of his presence and power, we never need to shrink back. When we are called by God and obedient to his daily direction, we work with an indestructible assurance.

       you whom I took from the ends of the earth,

and called from its farthest corners,

       saying to you, “You are my servant,

I have chosen you and not cast you off”;

       fear not, for I am with you;

be not dismayed, for I am your God;

       I will strengthen you, I will help you,

I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

       Behold, all who are incensed against you

shall be put to shame and confounded;

       those who strive against you

shall be as nothing and shall perish.

       You shall seek those who contend with you,

but you shall not find them;

       those who war against you

shall be as nothing at all.

       For I, the Lord your God,

hold your right hand;

       it is I who say to you, “Fear not,

I am the one who helps you.” Isaiah 41:9–13 (ESV)

Isaiah 41:9-13 (ESV)

Five – God’s Hand in our Lives

As we follow Jesus, we can know that God’s hand is with us. Most importantly, we can trust him. His nature and character assure us that we are safe and strong. His protection keeps us from ultimate destruction. Of course, we cannot be stubborn or reckless and expect him to protect us from our own foolishness.

       “Fear not, for I have redeemed you;

I have called you by name, you are mine.

       When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;

and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;

       when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,

and the flame shall not consume you.

       For I am the Lord your God,

the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.

Isaiah 43:1-3 (ESV)

Six – We are Redeemed by Jesus

Our sin caused his suffering. He willingly went through incredible pain because he loved us and was willing to pay the price of sin on our behalf. His redemptive act means that all who believe  can experience eternal life.

       Surely he has borne our griefs

and carried our sorrows;

       yet we esteemed him stricken,

smitten by God, and afflicted.

       But he was pierced for our transgressions;

he was crushed for our iniquities;

       upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,

and with his wounds we are healed.

       All we like sheep have gone astray;

we have turned—every one—to his own way;

       and the Lord has laid on him

the iniquity of us all.

Isaiah 53:4-6 (ESV)

Seven – The Mystery of God

God truly does work in mysterious ways. We cannot understand all he does. We know that we must seek him, even though he is all around us! Our hearts must yearn for him. We must willingly give up our sins. This repentance was and is a condition for our new life. We cannot expect God to pardon our sins if we are unwilling to give them up. As in all things pertaining to the grace and power of God, the impetus for obedience is ours, the power for obedience is a gift of God’s grace.

Finally, we are called to be in awe of God. He is beyond our comprehension. His thoughts are beyond our understanding, and so we worship him!

       “Seek the Lord while he may be found;

call upon him while he is near;

       let the wicked forsake his way,

and the unrighteous man his thoughts;

       let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him,

and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

       For my thoughts are not your thoughts,

neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.

       For as the heavens are higher than the earth,

so are my ways higher than your ways

and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Isaiah 55:6-9 (ESV)

Your Turn

I would love to hear your thoughts and the lessons you have learned from this great book. Feel free to share them on our Facebook page or in the comments here.

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