WEBVTT 00:00:00.020 --> 00:00:02.400 They lie down and dream and love to sleep. 00:00:04.060 --> 00:00:08.840 This is the LifeSpring One-Year Bible Rewind and coming to you from Riverside, California. 00:00:09.460 --> 00:00:14.000 Podcasting since 2004, I'm Steve Webb and I'm your OG Godcaster. 00:00:14.660 --> 00:00:19.660 This is the podcast that comes to you every single day and we're reading the entire Bible together in a year. 00:00:19.680 --> 00:00:21.700 I'm so glad you're here. Welcome. 00:00:22.120 --> 00:00:24.740 The website is lifespringmedia.com. 00:00:25.060 --> 00:00:29.760 It's running up the flagpole day because sometimes wisdom starts by asking, 00:00:29.800 --> 00:00:33.820 what do you think? So maybe you have an idea for the LifeSpring one-year Bible rewind. 00:00:34.400 --> 00:00:38.700 Run it at the flagpole. Email me with your idea, steve at lifespringmedia.com. 00:00:39.140 --> 00:00:44.960 It's also Prophecy Friday. We'll read Isaiah 56 through 61, after which I'll have a few thoughts 00:00:45.080 --> 00:00:49.440 for you on what we've read. We'll also see what happened on this date in church history. 00:00:50.260 --> 00:00:54.820 Let's begin. Our Heavenly Father, we thank you so much for this day. We thank you for this new year, 00:00:54.980 --> 00:01:01.180 and we ask you that as we read, you would teach us. Touch our hearts, Lord, I pray in Jesus' name. Amen. 00:01:03.620 --> 00:01:05.000 Isaiah chapter 56 00:01:06.360 --> 00:01:07.760 This is what the Lord says, 00:01:08.280 --> 00:01:13.360 Give justice to all people and do what is right, because my salvation will come to you soon. 00:01:14.120 --> 00:01:16.560 Soon everyone will know that I do what is right. 00:01:17.240 --> 00:01:20.100 The person who obeys the law about the Sabbath will be blessed, 00:01:20.660 --> 00:01:22.920 and the person who does no evil will be blessed. 00:01:23.720 --> 00:01:28.380 Foreigners who have joined the Lord should not say, The Lord will not accept me with His people. 00:01:29.140 --> 00:01:33.440 The eunuchs should not say, Because I cannot have children, the Lord will not accept me. 00:01:34.180 --> 00:01:39.440 This is what the Lord says. The eunuchs should obey the law about the Sabbath and do what I want 00:01:39.780 --> 00:01:44.960 and keep my agreement. If they do, I will make their names remembered within my temple and its 00:01:45.180 --> 00:01:50.360 walls. It will be better for them than children. I will give them a name that will last forever, 00:01:50.420 --> 00:01:52.100 that will never be forgotten. 00:01:53.080 --> 00:01:56.380 Foreigners will join the Lord to worship Him and love Him, to serve Him, 00:01:56.760 --> 00:01:59.880 to obey the law about the Sabbath, and to keep my agreement. 00:02:00.500 --> 00:02:05.000 I will bring these people to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house of prayer. 00:02:05.660 --> 00:02:09.080 The offerings and sacrifices they place on my altar will please me, 00:02:09.560 --> 00:02:13.760 because my temple will be called a house of prayer for people from all nations. 00:02:14.940 --> 00:02:19.560 The Lord God says, He who gathers the Israelites that were forced to leave their country. 00:02:20.260 --> 00:02:24.120 I will bring together other people to join those who are already gathered. 00:02:25.180 --> 00:02:29.540 All you animals of the field, all you animals of the forest, come to eat. 00:02:30.120 --> 00:02:32.520 The leaders who are to guard the people are blind. 00:02:32.880 --> 00:02:34.060 They don't know what they are doing. 00:02:34.780 --> 00:02:37.800 All of them are like quiet dogs that don't know how to bark. 00:02:38.460 --> 00:02:40.800 They lie down and dream and love to sleep. 00:02:41.480 --> 00:02:43.760 They are like hungry dogs that are never satisfied. 00:02:44.580 --> 00:02:46.660 They are like shepherds who don't know what they are doing. 00:02:47.540 --> 00:02:49.020 They all have gone their own way. 00:02:49.540 --> 00:02:51.580 All they want to do is satisfy themselves. 00:02:52.490 --> 00:02:54.960 They say, Come, let's drink some wine. 00:02:55.360 --> 00:02:57.000 Let's drink all the beer we want. 00:02:57.540 --> 00:02:59.260 And tomorrow we will do this again. 00:02:59.880 --> 00:03:01.720 Or maybe we'll have an even better time. 00:03:02.260 --> 00:03:03.660 Isaiah chapter 57 00:03:05.640 --> 00:03:09.480 Those who are right with God may die, but no one pays attention. 00:03:10.460 --> 00:03:12.880 Good people are taken away, but no one understands. 00:03:14.080 --> 00:03:17.340 Those who do right are being taken away from evil and are given peace. 00:03:18.280 --> 00:03:21.520 Those who live as God wants find rest in death. 00:03:22.220 --> 00:03:23.500 Come here, you magicians. 00:03:23.980 --> 00:03:27.820 Come here, you children of prostitutes and those who take part in adultery. 00:03:28.640 --> 00:03:29.780 Of whom are you making fun? 00:03:30.620 --> 00:03:31.600 Whom are you insulting? 00:03:32.480 --> 00:03:34.140 At whom do you stick out your tongue? 00:03:34.900 --> 00:03:37.160 You turn against God and you are liars. 00:03:37.760 --> 00:03:41.760 You have sexual relations under every green tree to worship your gods. 00:03:42.420 --> 00:03:46.320 You kill children in the ravines and sacrifice them in the rocky places. 00:03:47.360 --> 00:03:50.060 You take the smooth rocks from the ravines as your portion. 00:03:50.940 --> 00:03:55.060 You pour drink offerings on them to worship them, and you give grain offerings to them. 00:03:55.940 --> 00:03:58.220 Do you think this makes me want to show you mercy? 00:03:59.140 --> 00:04:03.040 You make your bed on every hill and mountain, and there you offer sacrifices. 00:04:03.820 --> 00:04:06.840 You have hidden your idols behind your doors and doorposts. 00:04:07.140 --> 00:04:09.500 You have left me, and you have uncovered yourself. 00:04:10.340 --> 00:04:12.960 You have pulled back the covers and climbed into bed. 00:04:13.560 --> 00:04:17.840 You have made an agreement with those whose beds you love, and you have looked at their nakedness. 00:04:18.620 --> 00:04:21.620 You use your oils and perfumes to look nice for Molech. 00:04:22.270 --> 00:04:24.560 You have sent your messengers to faraway lands. 00:04:25.030 --> 00:04:27.640 You even tried to send them to the place of the dead. 00:04:28.620 --> 00:04:31.860 You were tired from doing these things, but you never gave up. 00:04:32.480 --> 00:04:35.180 You found new strength, so you did not quit. 00:04:36.120 --> 00:04:38.340 Whom were you so afraid of that you lied to me? 00:04:39.000 --> 00:04:41.240 You have not remembered me or even thought about me. 00:04:41.340 --> 00:04:45.780 I have been quiet for a long time. Is that why you are not afraid of me? 00:04:46.560 --> 00:04:51.580 I will tell you about your goodness and what you do, and those things will do you no good. 00:04:52.340 --> 00:04:55.700 When you cry out for help, let the gods you have gathered help you. 00:04:56.280 --> 00:05:00.180 The wind will blow them all away. Just a puff of wind will take them away. 00:05:00.960 --> 00:05:05.520 But the person who depends on me will receive the land and own my holy mountain. 00:05:06.340 --> 00:05:12.260 Someone will say, Build a road, build a road, prepare the way, make the way clear for my people. 00:05:12.980 --> 00:05:19.160 And this is the reason. God lives forever and is holy. He is high and lifted up. He says, 00:05:19.580 --> 00:05:24.340 I live in a high and holy place, but I also live with people who are sad and humble. 00:05:25.120 --> 00:05:30.520 I give new life to those who are humble and whose hearts are broken. I will not accuse forever, 00:05:30.680 --> 00:05:36.360 nor will I always be angry, because then human life would grow weak. Human beings whom I created 00:05:36.580 --> 00:05:42.780 would die. I was angry because they were dishonest in order to make money. I punished them and turned 00:05:42.850 --> 00:05:48.580 away from them in anger, but they continued to do evil. I have seen what they have done, but I will 00:05:48.740 --> 00:05:54.799 heal them. I will guide them and comfort them and those who felt sad for them. They will all praise 00:05:54.820 --> 00:06:01.100 me. I will give peace, real peace, to those far and near, and I will heal them, says the Lord. 00:06:02.020 --> 00:06:07.920 But evil people are like the angry sea which cannot rest, whose waves toss up waste and mud. 00:06:08.500 --> 00:06:13.560 There is no peace for evil people, says my God. Isaiah chapter 58 00:06:14.440 --> 00:06:21.619 The Lord says, Shout out loud, don't hold back, shout out loud like a trumpet. Tell my people what 00:06:21.640 --> 00:06:27.340 they have done against their God. Tell the family of Jacob about their sins. They still come every 00:06:27.390 --> 00:06:32.280 day looking for me and want to learn my ways. They act just like a nation that does what is right, 00:06:32.620 --> 00:06:38.380 that obeys the commands of its God. They ask me to judge them fairly. They want God to be near them. 00:06:38.880 --> 00:06:45.120 They say, To honor you, we had special days when we fasted, but you didn't see. We humbled ourselves 00:06:45.460 --> 00:06:51.600 to honor you, but you didn't notice. But the Lord says, You do what pleases yourselves on these 00:06:52.099 --> 00:06:58.180 and you are unfair to your workers. On these special days when you fast, you argue and fight 00:06:58.300 --> 00:07:03.200 and hit each other with your fists. You cannot do these things as you do now and believe your 00:07:03.300 --> 00:07:09.300 prayers are heard in heaven. This special kind of day is not what I want. This is not the way I want 00:07:09.440 --> 00:07:14.140 people to be sorry for what they have done. I don't want people just to bow their heads like a plant 00:07:14.340 --> 00:07:20.040 and wear rough cloth and lie in ashes to show their sadness. This is what you do on your special 00:07:20.040 --> 00:07:25.700 days when you fast, but do you think this is what the Lord wants? I will tell you the kind of fast 00:07:25.740 --> 00:07:32.000 I want. Free the people you have put in prison unfairly and undo their chains. Free those to 00:07:32.140 --> 00:07:37.800 whom you are unfair and stop their hard labor. Share your food with the hungry and bring poor, 00:07:38.040 --> 00:07:43.420 homeless people into your own homes. When you see someone who has no clothes, give him yours, 00:07:43.820 --> 00:07:48.640 and don't refuse to help your own relatives. Then your light will shine like the dawn, 00:07:48.780 --> 00:07:54.440 and your wounds will quickly heal. Your God will walk before you, and the glory of the Lord will 00:07:54.700 --> 00:08:00.220 protect you from behind. Then you will call out, and the Lord will answer. He will cry out, and He 00:08:00.300 --> 00:08:06.760 will say, Here I am. If you stop making trouble for others, if you stop using cruel words and 00:08:06.930 --> 00:08:11.860 pointing your finger at others, if you feed those who are hungry and take care of the needs of those 00:08:11.860 --> 00:08:16.979 who are troubled, then your light will shine in the darkness, and you will be bright like sunshine 00:08:17.000 --> 00:08:23.440 at noon. The Lord will always lead you. He will satisfy your needs in dry lands and give strength 00:08:23.600 --> 00:08:29.360 to your bones. You will be like a garden that has much water, like a spring that never runs dry. 00:08:30.120 --> 00:08:34.840 Your people will rebuild the old cities that are now in ruins. You will rebuild their foundations. 00:08:35.740 --> 00:08:40.200 You will be known for repairing the broken places and for rebuilding the roads and houses. 00:08:41.200 --> 00:08:46.760 You must obey God's law about the Sabbath and not do what pleases yourselves on that holy day. 00:08:47.460 --> 00:08:51.900 You should call the Sabbath day a joyful day and honor it as the Lord's holy day. 00:08:52.720 --> 00:08:57.460 You should honor it by not doing whatever you please nor saying whatever you please on that day. 00:08:58.240 --> 00:09:03.040 Then you will find joy in the Lord, and I will carry you to the high places above the earth. 00:09:03.540 --> 00:09:06.760 I will let you eat the crops of the land your ancestor Jacob had. 00:09:07.660 --> 00:09:09.280 The Lord has said these things. 00:09:10.240 --> 00:09:11.460 Isaiah chapter 59 00:09:12.740 --> 00:09:15.040 Surely the Lord's power is enough to save you. 00:09:15.360 --> 00:09:17.200 He can hear you when you ask Him for help. 00:09:17.940 --> 00:09:20.580 It is your evil that has separated you from your God. 00:09:21.060 --> 00:09:24.320 Your sins cause Him to turn away from you, so He does not hear you. 00:09:25.100 --> 00:09:29.200 With your hands you have killed others, and with your fingers you have done wrong. 00:09:29.960 --> 00:09:33.680 With your lips you have lied, and with your tongue you say evil things. 00:09:34.900 --> 00:09:39.580 People take each other to court unfairly, and no one tells the truth in arguing his case. 00:09:40.280 --> 00:09:42.720 They accuse each other falsely and tell lies. 00:09:43.300 --> 00:09:45.220 They cause trouble and create more evil. 00:09:46.120 --> 00:09:48.740 They hatch evil like eggs from poisonous snakes. 00:09:49.480 --> 00:09:51.280 If you eat one of those eggs, you'll die, 00:09:51.760 --> 00:09:54.680 and if you break one open, a poisonous snake comes out. 00:09:55.660 --> 00:09:58.120 People tell lies as they would spin a spider's web. 00:09:58.800 --> 00:10:01.160 The webs they make cannot be used for clothes. 00:10:01.530 --> 00:10:03.560 You can't cover yourself with those webs. 00:10:04.300 --> 00:10:07.640 The things they do are evil, and they use their hands to hurt others. 00:10:08.400 --> 00:10:12.680 They eagerly run to do evil, and they are always ready to kill innocent people. 00:10:13.480 --> 00:10:17.780 They think evil thoughts. Everywhere they go they cause ruin and destruction. 00:10:18.410 --> 00:10:22.300 They don't know how to live in peace, and there is no fairness in their lives. 00:10:22.610 --> 00:10:26.380 They are dishonest. Anyone who lives as they live will never have peace. 00:10:27.980 --> 00:10:31.620 Fairness has gone far away. Goodness is nowhere to be found. 00:10:32.360 --> 00:10:35.140 We wait for the light, but there is only darkness now. 00:10:35.500 --> 00:10:38.620 We hope for a bright light, but all we have is darkness. 00:10:39.640 --> 00:10:42.140 We're like the blind feeling our way along a wall. 00:10:42.820 --> 00:10:45.200 We feel our way as if we had no eyes. 00:10:45.860 --> 00:10:48.260 In the brightness of day we trip as if it were night. 00:10:49.120 --> 00:10:51.020 We are like dead men among the strong. 00:10:52.060 --> 00:10:53.560 All of us growl like bears. 00:10:54.240 --> 00:10:56.240 We call out sadly like the doves. 00:10:56.720 --> 00:10:58.600 We look for justice, but there isn't any. 00:10:59.320 --> 00:11:02.040 We want to be saved, but salvation is far away. 00:11:02.700 --> 00:11:05.680 We have done many wrong things against our God. 00:11:06.120 --> 00:11:07.900 Our sins show we are wrong. 00:11:08.620 --> 00:11:10.520 We know that we have turned against God. 00:11:10.920 --> 00:11:12.740 We know the evil things we have done, 00:11:13.420 --> 00:11:14.720 sinning and rejecting the Lord, 00:11:15.340 --> 00:11:16.600 turning away from our God, 00:11:17.000 --> 00:11:19.420 planning to hurt others and to disobey God, 00:11:19.960 --> 00:11:21.540 planning and speaking lies. 00:11:22.240 --> 00:11:23.720 So we have driven away justice, 00:11:24.160 --> 00:11:26.180 and we have kept away from what is right. 00:11:26.860 --> 00:11:28.580 Truth is not spoken in the streets. 00:11:29.060 --> 00:11:31.400 What is honest is not allowed to enter the city. 00:11:32.320 --> 00:11:36.840 Truth cannot be found anywhere, and people who refuse to do evil are attacked. 00:11:37.760 --> 00:11:41.320 The Lord looked and could not find any justice, and he was displeased. 00:11:41.900 --> 00:11:46.520 He could not find anyone to help the people, and he was surprised that there was no one to help. 00:11:47.360 --> 00:11:49.600 So he used his own power to save the people. 00:11:50.200 --> 00:11:51.740 His own goodness gave him strength. 00:11:52.420 --> 00:11:54.460 He covered himself with goodness like armor. 00:11:55.040 --> 00:11:57.260 He put the helmet of salvation on his head. 00:11:57.800 --> 00:12:01.920 He put on his clothes for punishing and wrapped himself in the coat of his strong love. 00:12:02.780 --> 00:12:05.200 The Lord will pay back His enemies for what they have done. 00:12:05.840 --> 00:12:08.380 He will show His anger to those who were against Him. 00:12:08.790 --> 00:12:12.000 He will punish the people in faraway places as they deserve. 00:12:13.140 --> 00:12:17.740 Then people from the west will fear the Lord, and people from the east will fear His glory. 00:12:18.680 --> 00:12:23.300 The Lord will come quickly like a fast-flowing river driven by the breath of the Lord. 00:12:24.300 --> 00:12:29.360 Then a Savior will come to Jerusalem and to the people of Jacob who have turned from sin, says the Lord. 00:12:29.720 --> 00:12:33.020 The Lord says, This is my agreement with these people. 00:12:33.720 --> 00:12:40.540 My spirit and my words that I give you will never leave you or your children or your grandchildren, now and forever. 00:12:41.820 --> 00:12:43.040 Isaiah chapter 60 00:12:44.300 --> 00:12:49.640 Jerusalem, get up and shine, because your light has come, and the glory of the Lord shines on you. 00:12:50.360 --> 00:12:51.880 Darkness now covers the earth. 00:12:52.400 --> 00:12:53.820 Deep darkness covers her people. 00:12:54.620 --> 00:12:58.540 But the Lord shines on you, and people see His glory around you. 00:12:59.240 --> 00:13:03.320 Nations will come to your light. Kings will come to the brightness of your sunrise. 00:13:04.320 --> 00:13:07.100 Look around you. People are gathering and coming to you. 00:13:07.800 --> 00:13:11.160 Your sons are coming from far away, and your daughters are coming with them. 00:13:11.840 --> 00:13:13.860 When you see them, you will shine with happiness. 00:13:14.380 --> 00:13:20.060 You will be excited and full of joy, because the wealth of the nations across the seas will be given to you. 00:13:20.600 --> 00:13:22.660 The riches of the nations will come to you. 00:13:23.500 --> 00:13:27.560 Herds of camels will cover your land, young camels from Midian and Ephah. 00:13:27.860 --> 00:13:32.820 People will come from Sheba, bringing gold and incense, and they will sing praises to the Lord. 00:13:33.660 --> 00:13:38.400 All the sheep from Keter will be given to you. The sheep from Nebaoth will be brought to you. 00:13:38.850 --> 00:13:44.160 They will be pleasing sacrifices on my altar, and I will make my beautiful temple more beautiful. 00:13:45.160 --> 00:13:49.360 The people are returning to you like clouds, like doves flying to their nests. 00:13:50.180 --> 00:13:55.000 People in faraway lands are waiting for me. The great trading ships will come first, 00:13:55.160 --> 00:14:00.700 bringing your children from faraway lands, and with them silver and gold. They will honor the 00:14:00.740 --> 00:14:06.960 Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, who does wonderful things for you. Jerusalem, foreigners 00:14:07.220 --> 00:14:12.920 will rebuild your walls, and their kings will serve you. When I was angry, I hurt you, but now I want 00:14:12.920 --> 00:14:19.280 to be kind to you and comfort you. Your gates will always be open. They will not be closed day or night, 00:14:19.380 --> 00:14:23.660 so the nations can bring their wealth to you, and their kings will be led to you. 00:14:24.760 --> 00:14:27.660 The nation or kingdom that doesn't serve you will be destroyed. 00:14:28.130 --> 00:14:29.620 It will be completely ruined. 00:14:30.380 --> 00:14:35.440 The great trees of Lebanon will be given to you, its pine, fir, and cypress trees together. 00:14:36.260 --> 00:14:38.320 You will use them to make my temple beautiful, 00:14:38.880 --> 00:14:41.660 and I will give much honor to this place where I rest my feet. 00:14:42.260 --> 00:14:44.440 The people who have hurt you will bow down to you. 00:14:44.900 --> 00:14:47.060 Those who hated you will bow down at your feet. 00:14:47.420 --> 00:14:52.300 They will call you the city of the Lord, Jerusalem, the city of the Holy One of Israel. 00:14:53.320 --> 00:14:58.440 You have been hated and left empty with no one passing through, but I will make you great from 00:14:58.600 --> 00:15:04.240 now on. You will be a place of happiness forever and ever. You will be given what you need from 00:15:04.240 --> 00:15:09.440 the nations, like a child drinking milk from its mother. Then you will know that it is I, 00:15:09.460 --> 00:15:14.100 the Lord, who saves you. You will know that the powerful one of Jacob protects you. 00:15:14.420 --> 00:15:20.240 I will bring you gold in place of bronze, silver in place of iron, bronze in place of wood, 00:15:20.720 --> 00:15:26.280 iron in place of rocks. I will change your punishment into peace, and you will be ruled 00:15:26.480 --> 00:15:31.760 by what is right. There will be no more violence in your country. It will not be ruined or destroyed. 00:15:32.440 --> 00:15:38.820 You will name your walls salvation and your gates praise. The sun will no longer be your light 00:15:38.910 --> 00:15:43.619 during the day, nor will the brightness from the moon be your light, because the Lord will be your 00:15:43.640 --> 00:15:50.340 light forever, and your God will be your glory. Your sun will never set again, and your moon will 00:15:50.460 --> 00:15:56.060 never be dark, because the Lord will be your light forever, and your time of sadness will end. 00:15:56.800 --> 00:16:02.040 All of your people will do what is right. They will receive the earth forever. They are like 00:16:02.040 --> 00:16:08.579 the plant I have planted, the work of my own hands to show my greatness. The smallest family will grow 00:16:08.600 --> 00:16:14.720 to a thousand, the least important of you will become a powerful nation. I am the Lord, and when 00:16:14.750 --> 00:16:22.500 it is time, I will make these things happen quickly. Isaiah chapter 61. The sovereign Lord 00:16:22.630 --> 00:16:27.640 has filled me with His Spirit. He has chosen me and sent me to bring good news to the poor, 00:16:27.990 --> 00:16:32.720 to heal the brokenhearted, to announce release to captives and freedom to those in prison. 00:16:33.480 --> 00:16:37.779 He has sent me to proclaim that the time has come when the Lord will save His people and defeat 00:16:37.780 --> 00:16:43.540 their enemies. He has sent me to comfort all who mourn, to give those who mourn in Zion joy and 00:16:43.760 --> 00:16:49.820 gladness instead of grief, a song of praise instead of sorrow. They will be like trees that the Lord 00:16:49.960 --> 00:16:55.560 Himself has planted. They will all do what is right, and God will be praised for what He has done. 00:16:56.200 --> 00:17:01.440 They will rebuild cities that have long been in ruins. My people, foreigners, will serve you. 00:17:01.850 --> 00:17:06.779 They will take care of your flocks and farm your land and tend your vineyards. And you will be 00:17:06.800 --> 00:17:12.400 known as the priests of the Lord, the servants of our God. You will enjoy the wealth of the nations 00:17:12.530 --> 00:17:18.339 and be proud that it is yours. Your shame and disgrace are ended. You will live in your own 00:17:18.480 --> 00:17:25.079 land, and your wealth will be doubled. Your joy will last forever. The Lord says, I love justice, 00:17:25.339 --> 00:17:30.960 and I hate oppression and crime. I will faithfully reward my people and make an eternal covenant with 00:17:31.040 --> 00:17:36.760 them. They will be famous among the nations. Everyone who sees them will know that they are 00:17:38.859 --> 00:17:41.460 Jerusalem rejoices because of what the Lord has done. 00:17:41.940 --> 00:17:44.060 She is like a bride dressed for her wedding. 00:17:44.900 --> 00:17:47.200 God has clothed her with salvation and victory. 00:17:47.920 --> 00:17:54.520 As surely as seeds sprout and grow, the sovereign Lord will save His people, and all the nations will praise Him. 00:17:56.940 --> 00:18:05.500 In today's reading, beloved, the first eight verses of chapter 56 explain that God wants to welcome all people, not just the Jews, into His house. 00:18:06.320 --> 00:18:11.840 And then the last verses of that chapter chastise Israel's leaders, those who should be closest 00:18:12.040 --> 00:18:13.980 to God and able to lead people to him. 00:18:14.780 --> 00:18:18.800 Verse 10 says, the leaders who are to guard the people are blind. 00:18:19.200 --> 00:18:20.140 They don't know what they're doing. 00:18:20.820 --> 00:18:23.660 All of them are like quiet dogs that don't know how to bark. 00:18:24.240 --> 00:18:26.540 They lie down and dream and love to sleep. 00:18:27.660 --> 00:18:28.800 Remember that last sentence. 00:18:28.980 --> 00:18:30.140 We're going to come back to it. 00:18:30.260 --> 00:18:30.760 Here it is again. 00:18:31.000 --> 00:18:33.020 They lie down and dream and love to sleep. 00:18:33.960 --> 00:18:40.100 Now, chapter 7's first 13 verses chastise the people of Israel, not the leaders, but the people. 00:18:41.000 --> 00:18:46.880 Well, since the religious leaders were asleep, it's not really a surprise that they were so far from God, is it? 00:18:47.000 --> 00:18:52.720 And yet, God calls them to account, because their behavior was abhorrent to Him. 00:18:53.700 --> 00:19:00.820 In the final verses, verses 14 through 21, though, God promises that He'll not always be angry with them, 00:19:01.000 --> 00:19:08.400 and he will in fact guide them and comfort them. He says in verse 19, I will give peace, real peace, 00:19:08.820 --> 00:19:14.800 to those far and near and I will heal them. Well, what reason does God give for this? 00:19:15.660 --> 00:19:22.540 Verse 16 tells us, I will not accuse forever, nor will I always be angry, because then human life 00:19:22.760 --> 00:19:30.940 would grow weak. Human beings whom I created would die. Beloved, despite our sin, God does not 00:19:30.940 --> 00:19:36.440 want us to die. That's what the whole plan of salvation is all about. That's why Jesus gave up 00:19:36.540 --> 00:19:42.020 the glories of heaven to be born in his stable, and why he lived a sinless life and was crucified 00:19:42.340 --> 00:19:49.440 on a Roman cross and was resurrected on the third day, because unless he did this, human beings whom 00:19:49.470 --> 00:19:56.560 he created would die. God loves us, beloved. He has made a way for you and for me to be forgiven, 00:19:56.920 --> 00:20:00.720 despite our many failures, if we'll just accept his gift. 00:20:02.200 --> 00:20:06.420 When I read chapter 56, I was reminded of a song by Keith Green called 00:20:06.740 --> 00:20:07.900 Asleep in the Light. 00:20:08.700 --> 00:20:10.460 Remember that sentence I asked you to remember? 00:20:11.060 --> 00:20:13.100 They lie down and dream and love to sleep? 00:20:13.780 --> 00:20:16.580 That's what made me think about this song, Asleep in the Light. 00:20:17.360 --> 00:20:21.360 The first part of the song is very much like chapters 56 and 57, 00:20:21.920 --> 00:20:24.280 where God is chastising the leaders and the people. 00:20:24.960 --> 00:20:29.240 But the end of the song is a reminder of how it can be if we turn to Him. 00:20:30.290 --> 00:20:31.640 Listen carefully to the words. 00:20:32.360 --> 00:20:37.580 Do you see, do you see all the people sinking down? 00:20:38.440 --> 00:20:40.840 Don't you care, don't you care? 00:20:41.380 --> 00:20:43.580 Are you gonna let them drown? 00:20:44.080 --> 00:20:49.500 How can you be so numb not to care if they come? 00:20:50.420 --> 00:20:55.860 You close your eyes and pretend the job's done. 00:21:01.520 --> 00:21:02.500 Bless me, Lord. 00:21:03.180 --> 00:21:03.880 Bless me, Lord. 00:21:04.270 --> 00:21:06.700 You know, it's all I ever hear. 00:21:07.300 --> 00:21:08.660 No one aches. 00:21:08.800 --> 00:21:09.920 No one hurts. 00:21:10.280 --> 00:21:12.680 No one even sheds one tear. 00:21:13.050 --> 00:21:15.980 But he cries, he weeps, he bleeds. 00:21:16.310 --> 00:21:18.800 And he cares for your needs. 00:21:19.360 --> 00:21:24.100 And you just lay back and keep sloping it in. 00:21:26.620 --> 00:21:30.320 Oh, can't you see it's such a sin? 00:21:32.280 --> 00:21:41.060 Because He brings people to your door and you turn them away as you smile and say, 00:21:41.740 --> 00:21:48.500 God bless you, be at peace and all heaven just weep. 00:21:49.940 --> 00:21:53.480 Cause Jesus came to your door 00:21:55.720 --> 00:21:58.240 You've left him out on the streets 00:22:04.540 --> 00:22:07.140 Open up, open up 00:22:08.040 --> 00:22:09.720 And give yourself away 00:22:10.410 --> 00:22:13.320 You see the need, you hear the cries 00:22:13.800 --> 00:22:15.420 So how can you delay? 00:22:16.400 --> 00:22:18.860 God's calling and you're the one. 00:22:19.030 --> 00:22:21.200 But like Johnny Alon, 00:22:22.480 --> 00:22:24.280 he's told you to speak, 00:22:24.800 --> 00:22:27.140 but you keep holding it in. 00:22:29.720 --> 00:22:32.740 Oh, can't you sin such sin? 00:22:35.040 --> 00:22:38.580 The world is sleeping in the dark 00:22:39.000 --> 00:22:41.360 that the church just can't fight 00:22:41.720 --> 00:22:43.880 because it's asleep in the light. 00:22:44.440 --> 00:22:50.360 Why can't you be so dead when you've been so well fed? 00:22:52.900 --> 00:23:00.880 Jesus rose from the grave and you, you can't even get out of bed. 00:23:03.460 --> 00:23:06.680 Oh, Jesus rose from the dead. 00:23:09.260 --> 00:23:12.900 Come on, get out of your bed. 00:23:23.440 --> 00:23:25.800 How can you be so numb 00:23:26.560 --> 00:23:28.720 Not to care if they come 00:23:29.460 --> 00:23:32.700 You close your eyes and pretend 00:23:33.020 --> 00:23:34.440 The job's done 00:23:35.220 --> 00:23:38.200 You close your eyes and pretend 00:23:38.600 --> 00:23:40.299 The job's done 00:23:40.520 --> 00:23:44.080 Don't close your eyes, don't pretend 00:23:44.600 --> 00:23:46.460 We're just done 00:23:51.700 --> 00:23:54.340 Come away, come away 00:23:54.760 --> 00:23:56.980 Come away with me, my love 00:23:57.380 --> 00:24:00.260 Come away from this mess 00:24:00.540 --> 00:24:03.140 Come away with me, my love 00:24:14.700 --> 00:24:17.280 Come away from this mess 00:24:17.540 --> 00:24:20.060 Come away with me, my love 00:24:36.180 --> 00:24:37.540 We need to wake up, beloved. 00:24:38.400 --> 00:24:40.520 I want to be ready when Jesus comes for me. 00:24:41.100 --> 00:24:41.680 How about you? 00:24:42.360 --> 00:24:44.140 You can comment on the show notes page at 00:24:44.260 --> 00:24:47.660 Lifespringmedia.com slash S12E74. 00:24:48.600 --> 00:24:51.580 You can also email me at steve at Lifespringmedia.com 00:24:51.760 --> 00:24:55.460 or go to comment.lifespringmedia.com and comment there. 00:24:55.940 --> 00:24:57.580 We'll start the book of Mark tomorrow 00:24:57.880 --> 00:24:59.560 by reading the first two chapters. 00:25:05.380 --> 00:25:07.740 Verse of the Day, Isaiah 61.10. 00:25:08.120 --> 00:25:10.320 This is a long one, but it's got a beautiful promise. 00:25:10.820 --> 00:25:13.000 I will greatly rejoice in the Lord. 00:25:13.480 --> 00:25:18.220 My soul shall exult in my God, for He has clothed me with the garments of salvation. 00:25:18.820 --> 00:25:20.800 He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, 00:25:21.520 --> 00:25:25.160 as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress, 00:25:25.480 --> 00:25:27.860 and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. 00:25:37.280 --> 00:25:40.180 The New Year has a way of inviting us to begin again. 00:25:40.880 --> 00:25:45.140 New habits, new rhythms, a renewed commitment to God's Word. 00:25:45.880 --> 00:25:49.620 If the Lifespring One Year Bible Rewind is part of how you're starting this year, 00:25:50.040 --> 00:25:54.140 opening Scripture each day and reading it faithfully together with the Lifespring family, 00:25:54.760 --> 00:25:56.960 I'm inviting you to take part in sustaining it. 00:25:57.600 --> 00:26:00.120 We use a simple model called value for value. 00:26:00.860 --> 00:26:08.460 If this daily time in the Word has value for you, you're free to return value in whatever way you're able through time, talent, or treasure. 00:26:08.560 --> 00:26:11.520 That could be prayer, encouragement, or financial support. 00:26:12.380 --> 00:26:14.380 You can find out more right here. 00:26:16.019 --> 00:26:18.140 Lifespringmedia.com slash support. 00:26:18.860 --> 00:26:20.700 Thank you for beginning this year with me. 00:26:21.480 --> 00:26:25.480 Today's associate producer is Timothy LaFontaine, who came in with $100. 00:26:26.000 --> 00:26:29.860 There's a note with it, and Timothy says, I missed writing Merry Christmas last time, 00:26:30.060 --> 00:26:31.840 so Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. 00:26:32.260 --> 00:26:33.600 Well, thanks so much, Timothy. 00:26:34.140 --> 00:26:36.080 Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you. 00:26:36.320 --> 00:26:36.900 God bless you. 00:26:37.500 --> 00:26:43.280 And I also want to thank Minion for his daily boosts, averaging about 240 sats, and Lifespring 00:26:43.440 --> 00:26:47.600 family Berean, Brother Michael Hainer, for streaming 10 sats for each minute he listens 00:26:47.820 --> 00:26:48.220 to the show. 00:26:48.800 --> 00:26:50.540 You guys are very much appreciated. 00:26:50.780 --> 00:26:51.700 God bless you as well. 00:26:57.320 --> 00:27:00.400 On this date in church history, January 2nd. 00:27:01.040 --> 00:27:04.220 In 1643, Isaac Watts was baptized. 00:27:05.140 --> 00:27:07.620 Actually, it was early January of 1643. 00:27:07.710 --> 00:27:09.040 We don't have the exact date. 00:27:09.700 --> 00:27:15.300 But he was baptized, marking the formal beginning of a life that would later reshape Christian worship. 00:27:16.160 --> 00:27:20.680 Watts would go on to give the church hymns that spoke directly of Christ's saving work, 00:27:20.940 --> 00:27:24.300 helping believers sing theology with clarity and joy. 00:27:24.980 --> 00:27:29.560 His baptism reminds us that lasting influence often begins in quiet obedience, 00:27:30.260 --> 00:27:32.620 long before public ministry ever appears. 00:27:33.460 --> 00:27:37.780 And in 1743, in January, again, we don't have the exact date, 00:27:38.220 --> 00:27:42.020 Jonathan Edwards began preaching a series of sermons in Northampton 00:27:42.300 --> 00:27:45.240 that would soon spark widespread spiritual renewal. 00:27:45.640 --> 00:27:59.740 What began as faithful preaching in a local congregation became one of the earliest sparks of the first Great Awakening, reminding us that revival often begins simply with the careful proclamation of God's Word. 00:28:00.140 --> 00:28:07.180 And about 1956, modern Bible reading plans were encouraged for the new year in the UK and the US of A. 00:28:07.940 --> 00:28:18.500 By the mid-20th century, churches and publishers across the United States and the UK increasingly promoted structured Bible reading plans at the start of the new year. 00:28:19.020 --> 00:28:23.080 These plans encouraged believers to read Scripture daily and systematically. 00:28:23.600 --> 00:28:25.840 Huh. Like, does that sound familiar? 00:28:26.200 --> 00:28:30.840 It helps Christians cultivate lifelong habits of hearing God's voice through His Word. 00:28:31.180 --> 00:28:38.320 It was a practical reminder that spiritual growth is often shaped by steady faithfulness rather than by dramatic moments. 00:28:42.660 --> 00:28:45.840 I will be recording Sunday show tomorrow afternoon. 00:28:46.120 --> 00:28:51.980 So if you'd like to share something God has done for you, if you have a praise report, share it with the Lifespring family. 00:28:52.620 --> 00:28:57.980 And if you have a need in your life that you'd like us to pray with you about, share that with the Lifespring family as well. 00:28:58.020 --> 00:29:04.260 Go to prayer.lifespringmedia.com and you'll find an easy to fill out form there to tell me what you want to share. 00:29:05.020 --> 00:29:08.060 And if you'd like to remain anonymous, you can say so on that form there. 00:29:08.680 --> 00:29:13.800 Or you can email me at steve at Lifespring Media and you can text or leave an email right here. 00:29:13.920 --> 00:29:20.600 Lifespring Family Hotline, 951-732-8511. 00:29:21.000 --> 00:29:24.380 And when you send in your prayer requests, I'll pray for you in my daily prayer time. 00:29:24.640 --> 00:29:26.840 And of course, we'll pray together on the show. 00:29:27.160 --> 00:29:29.740 If you enjoy the show, tell someone. 00:29:39.920 --> 00:29:41.620 Thank you for starting the new year with me. 00:29:41.840 --> 00:29:43.820 Until tomorrow, may God bless you richly. 00:29:44.100 --> 00:29:47.160 Thank you so much for being here today and inviting me to be a part of your day. 00:29:47.540 --> 00:29:48.980 I'm Steve Webb. Bye. 00:29:50.920 --> 00:29:55.720 The Lifespring Media family of programs are made possible by the generous support 00:29:55.740 --> 00:29:57.000 of listeners like you. 00:29:57.290 --> 00:29:57.760 Thank you. 00:29:59.880 --> 00:30:01.980 The Lifespring One Year Bible Rewind 00:30:01.980 --> 00:30:03.560 is a Lifespring Media production 00:30:03.870 --> 00:30:05.060 hosted by Steve Webb, 00:30:05.060 --> 00:30:07.420 the OG Godcaster since 2004.