Isaiah 59:1-21 - Recognizing the effects of sin and the Lord's power to redeem.
Today's Come Follow Me devotional focuses on Isaiah 59:1-21, where we explore the effects of sin and the Lord's power to redeem.
I checked the RSC (rsc.byu.edu) and the Joseph Smith Papers (josephsmithpapers.org) for relevant material on Isaiah 59:1-21. While there were many resources on Isaiah generally, I found a helpful article from the BYU Religious Studies Center that directly addresses the themes of sin, separation from God, and redemption in Isaiah.
In an article by Monte S. Nyman titled "The Messiah and the Old Testament," published by the BYU Religious Studies Center, the author discusses how sin creates a separation between humanity and God, a concept clearly articulated in Isaiah 59. The article explains that the Messiah's atonement bridges this gap, providing a way for individuals to overcome the consequences of sin and return to God's presence. It emphasizes the Lord's profound love and unwavering commitment to redeem His people, despite their transgressions, highlighting the power of His outstretched arm to save. You can find this article at https://rsc.byu.edu/book/messiah-old-testament.
Considering Nyman's explanation of how the Messiah's atonement bridges the gap created by sin, how does understanding the Lord's "outstretched arm" in Isaiah 59:1 (which states, "Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear") deepen your appreciation for the specific nature of Christ's redemptive power?
Yesterday's morning intention was to strive to practice true fasting and keep the Sabbath day holy by focusing on serving others and delighting in the Lord. As we consider the profound separation sin creates as discussed in Isaiah 59, how might consistently striving for these righteous practices—true fasting, keeping the Sabbath, serving others, and delighting in the Lord—help you feel the Lord's redemptive power more fully in your life and minimize spiritual separation?
You can read today's assigned scripture at https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/isa/59?lang=eng.