22nd.: What is Special to You, Lord?
In chapter 63, Isaiah mentioned several points to God:
1. “Look down from heaven, and behold from the habitation of thy holiness and of thy glory.
2. Where is thy zeal, and thy strength?
3. The sounding of thy bowels and of thy mercies toward me? Are they restrained?” (Isa. 63:15).
Isaiah asked God where had God's zeal and strength and affections for him (or Israel) had gone.
Yet, Isaiah reaffirmed, “Doubtless, thou art our father.” (Isa. 63:16).
Isaiah also implored,
“Why have you made us to err from thy ways, and hardened our heart from thy fear? Return for thy servant’s sake.’” (Isa. 63:17).
Isaiah acknowledged
“The people of thy holiness have possessed it but a little while.
Our adversaries have trodden down the sanctuary. We are thine.
Thou never bare rule over them. They were not called by thy name.” (Isa. 63:18-19).
Isaiah asked God to remember the special place that God had made for Israel in His heart, and geographically.
Yet it seemed paradoxical that God would allow outsiders to displace Israel.
In our prayers, we can call attention to those things which we know are special to God.
To do so, we need to spend time, reading the Bible to find out what is important to God.
“The Lord has been mindful of us. He will bless us. He will bless the house of Israel.” (Ps. 115:12a-c)