"Grace Greater than Our Sin" May 22 Readings: Isaiah 40-44

  

Reading the Bible Chronologically in 2024

This year, instead of reading from Genesis to Revelation, we will read the Bible as the story flows, as it happened and was written. There are several plans out there and I have worked to combine them into a plan that lets the Bible tell its own story "as it happened." Remember, the Bible is inspired, but not in the order the books appear in our Bibles.  The Old Testament is approximately 3/4 of the Bible, but we will give more emphasis to the New Testament, spending half the year in the Old Testament and half in the New. 

Bible Readings: Isaiah 40-44

Background:  

Isaiah  40 begins the second major second of the book. The theme changes so dramatically that many (more liberal) scholars assume that there are two different authors. The first 39 chapters deal with judgment for Israel's sin and now God asserts his intention to restore Israel and comfort.

Daily Devotional: Grace Greater than Our Sin

Marvelous grace of our loving Lord,
grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt,
yonder on Calvary's mount out-poured,
there where the blood of the Lamb was spilt.

Grace, grace, God's grace,
grace that will pardon and cleanse within;
grace, grace, God's grace,
grace that is greater than all our sin.

I recently re-read a book called Exodus, by Leon Uris, in which he describes the founding of the modern nation of Israel. In one section, one of the modern Israelis explains that God chose them as his people because he knew they would be faithful through all the years. That is almost the opposite of what the scripture says about God's work in Israel. God chose Israel, as he chooses us, to demonstrate his grace and mercy to those who are unfaithful and sinful. 

Israel turned from God and was in rebellion more than it was in obedience. They were so idolatrous and headstrong that God would actually bring the nation down in a heap - both the northern kingdom in 722 BC and Judah in 586 BC. The Old Testament teaches us that God's grace is greater than our sin. 

Isaiah 40:1 begins with God declaring, "Comfort, comfort  my people." Even though God was going to judge them for their sin he would also bring comfort. Even God's discipline was for the purpose of his eventual restoration of the people - to show them mercy and build them up. 

We are not saved because we are special or wonderful, but because God loves us. Once we are saved, God's grace is greater than our sin. I fail and so do you. We slip and fall but the Solid Rock we stand on is firm. Even when we fail, God is at work to restore and renew us, and his grace is always greater than our sin. 

Thank you, Father, for being greater than my sin, for being relentless in love and mercy. 

Consider God's Word:

Take time today to thank God for his faithful love that does not just tolerate our sin, but overcomes it.