Personal Devotions
Notes from Mark's personal Bible reading and meditation
With a goal to apply one truth from each day's reading to my life that day
May 21, 2024, 1:58 AM
Passage Read: Song of Solomon 7 - Isaiah 2
Meditation Verses: Isaiah 2:2-3
Thought
Redemption has always been so that we might learn God's ways. When Christ reigns, all the nations will come and learn from Jesus the ways of the Lord. God's frustration in chapter one, His rejection of their sacrifices is because they haven't learned His ways; they've turned the sacrificial system into a means to live in sin yet be forgiven by God for their deliberate rebellion.
May 18, 2023, 8:11 AM
Passage Read: Isaiah 63-66
Meditation Verse: 66:5
Thought
There are those who laugh at the Lord's Word and there are those who believe it and those who fear the Lord. Both dwell together in the Lord's presence. They are brothers, but they do not all fear the Lord the same. The Lord promises that those who tremble at His Word, who live to obey the Lord no matter how difficult God's command, these will enjoy His favor and receive His salvation.
May 17, 2023, 8:12 AM
Passage Read: Isaiah 59-62
Meditation Verses: 59:12-13
Thought
Israel's sins were many: rebellion and treachery against the Lord, turning their back on the Lord, fomenting oppression and revolt, and speaking lies their own hearts had conceived. They rebelled against the Lord and worked against Him. They ignored Him. They encouraged others to oppress others and revolt against the Lord. And they made up lies that justified their rebellion.
May 16, 2023, 8:13 AM
Passage Read: Isaiah 55-58
Meditation Verse: 57:10
Thought
It is possible even for the wicked to renew their strength. They can gain encouragement, even though they're exhausted by going their own way and stumbling over stumbling blocks that the Lord sets in their way. They could give up and look to God for help, but no, they crash, they burn, but after a bit of rest, they find new strength to continue in their wicked ways.
May 15, 2023, 8:15 AM
Passage Read: Isaiah 51-54
Meditation Verses: 51:7-8
Thought
I must not fear the mocking or insults of men, because those who are unwilling to humble themselves before the Lord will be doomed to destruction. They may insult believers now, but they will perish with none to save.
May 14, 2023, 8:16 AM
Passage Read: Isaiah 47-50
Meditation Verse: 50:10
Thought
Again a blindness illustration: Those who walk in darkness, who cannot see, long for light. They will either accept the light of the Lord or create their own. Those who create their own, who decide for themselves what is the right way to live, or who listen to godless men for direction, they will end up rejected by the Lord and tormented forever. But those who choose to listen to the Lord and His appointed servants, they will understand correctly how to live.
May 13, 2023, 8:17 AM
Passage Read: Isaiah 43-46
Meditation Verses: 43:22-24
Thought
The Lord is so good to us; He provides all we need and helps us obtain even things we want. He takes care of us, gives us life, allows us to enjoy our days. And how do we repay Him? The animals honor Him, but what about the people He formed for His praise? He hasn't demanded too much; He doesn't require all kinds of offerings and sacrifices. But is it too much to praise Him? How have we wearied ourselves for Him?
May 12, 2023, 8:19 AM
Passage Read: Isaiah 39-42
Meditation Verse: 42:16
Thought
Those who don't know the Lord or His ways are as blind as can be. But the Lord is willing to lead those who are blind, but He will lead them in New paths, paths they have not known. Those paths will look strange to those who are still blind but refuse the Lord's guidance; they are new and different paths, new to those who are led upon them by the Lord. Because His ways are so different from the ways of the world, and so much better.
May 11, 2023, 8:20 AM
Passage Read: Isaiah 35-38
Meditation Verse: 37:21
Thought
The Lord answers Hezekiah's prayer, saying, "Because you have prayed to me about Sennacherib...." Because Hezekiah didn't just panic and fret, but because he had sense enough to take his fear and concern over this threat to the Lord, so the Lord was willing to give him a favorable answer. The Lord is pleased when we recognize that things are too hard for us and we need His help.
May 10, 2023, 8:21 AM
Passage Read: Isaiah 31-34
Meditation Verses: 33:14-16
Thought
Sinners are dismayed and the godless afraid; the Lord is like an unquenchable fire to them, something to be terrified by. But those who do what is right, who love justice and do righteousness, to them, the Lord is a secure fortress and full provision. The Lord is a safe place to those who humble themselves and live in obedience to Him. The Lord is a refining fire, but He is only frightening to those who insist on living in sin, to those who reject Him.