Today’s reading passage in my project to read through the Bible this year was in Isaiah, chapters 46-50. It’s amazing how there is always something to take away, a phrase that strikes home, a glimpse into a deeper meaning from another reference passage, or maybe a thought of a hymn or other song, regardless of the book or passage. For instance, today’s passage included the phrase in 49:16, “Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are continually before me.” This immediately brought to mind the song by Augustus Toplady, “A Debtor to Mercy Alone”. In the third verse, Toplady builds on that thought with these words:
My name from the palms of His hands eternity will not erase;
Impressed on His heart it remains, in marks of indelible grace.
Another quote from this passage: “”There is no peace,” says the LORD, “for the wicked.””
This section closes in chapter 50 with these words of comfort for those who trust in the Lord and warning for those trusting in themselves.
Who among you fears the LORD
and obeys the voice of his servant?
Let him who walks in darkness
and has no light
trust in the name of the LORD
and rely on his God.
Behold, all you who kindle a fire,
who equip yourselves with burning torches!
Walk by the light of your fire,
and by the torches that you have kindled!
This you have from my hand:
you shall lie down in torment.
