Daily reflections

After a beautiful picture of Spirit-filled believers joyfully committing themselves to the service of God – 'One by one, people will say, "I am the LORD's"' (verse 5) – Isaiah 44 moves into a devastating and very funny...

King Cyrus, the Persian ruler whose vast empire included the Holy Land and who was to allow the exiled Jews to return home from Babylon, was not a believer in the God of Israel. However, God believed in him: 'I have given...

Isaiah's prophecies are treasure troves for preachers. In this chapter, he compares the gods of Babylon to the LORD; they cannot save, he says, but God does. But it's his vivid illustration of their helplessness that brings...

Israel is to return home from Babylon thanks to God's action through the conquering King Cyrus. But the slate isn't wiped clean. Even as an instrument of God's judgement on Israel, Babylon has behaved cruelly: 'I was angry...

‘Hear … See … Listen to me … Draw near to me, hear this!’ Isaiah 48 is a heartbreaking cry of frustration from a God who has spoken openly to his people, yet they act as if they are deaf and blind to all the clear...

In Isaiah 49, God’s compassion for his suffering people is so total and overflowing that there is no hint of further judgement. It is a chapter about a complete reversal of fortunes. The nation has hit rock bottom – desolate...

In verse 4 of this chapter, the prophet Isaiah says that God has given him ‘the tongue of a teacher’ – but notice that he also tells us how he listens to God ‘as those who are taught’. The two activities are linked...

This prophecy is addressed to a people who have been struck down and laid waste by their oppressors and by devastating circumstances that are beyond their control. One of the key themes in the chapter is ‘comfort’, especially...

Isaiah 52 is a call to rise up from the lethargy of despair. When people lose hope, they may shut down emotionally to guard themselves against further pain. But the prophet now tells them to wake up, shake off the dust and...