This week we are focusing on Isaiah 63:15-64:12. Many consider Isaiah 63:7-64:12 to be one of the greatest intercessory prayers in the Bible. We saw last week that Isaiah begins his prayer by remembering God’s steadfast love and faithfulness in the past. Even though Israel was a rebellious people, God still rescued them physically out of Egypt for His Name’s sake. This week we will see that the only way God’s people can be saved spiritually is if God comes down and does it Himself! The following are some study suggestions to help you get started.
LIMITED TIME:
- Read through Isaiah 63:15-64:12.
- Meditate on and/or journal the answers to the following questions.
- What does this passage teach me about God and His character?
- How does this aspect of God’s character change my view of myself?
- What should I do in response?
MORE TIME:
- What does Isaiah confess about himself and the people of God?
- What does Isaiah observe about God?
- What does Isaiah pray for?
- If time permits, read Luke 1:1-2:38. How has God fulfilled the prayer of Isaiah in the birth of Christ?
- In what way(s) does Isaiah’s prayer of intercession affect your prayer life now?
GOING DEEPER (optional): For further teaching and application, do one or more of the following:
- Read chapter 46, “Revival and the Descent of God (63:15-64:12)” in Isaiah: God Saves Sinners or listen to Ray Ortlund’s sermon series on line. (Most of the sermons correspond to the chapters in his book.)
- Listen to the sermon(s) from Pastor Liam Goligher’s sermon series on Isaiah that go along with this week’s reading.
“Oh that you would rend the heavens and come down,
that the mountains might quake at your presence…
to make your name known to your adversaries,
and that the nations might tremble at your presence!”
~ Isaiah 64:1-2 ~
“For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.”
~ John 6:38~