Isaiah 63, Philippians 2

Isaiah 63

I love the transition of writing starting in verse 7. Here, Isaiah starts his prayer. After writing about the power of God and his wrath in his judgment, he begins by mentioning the great kindness that God has shown his people. John Wesley notes of this prayer how emphatically the evidence of God’s kindness offers such great advantage to those he claims as His.

What an honor and privilege to be a child of God resting in the shadows of His favor!

Verse 16 reminds us, not once, but twice “But you are our Father. You, O Lord, are our Father.”

God, we thank you for your kindness. We thank you that for while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. In that grace, we pray for your favor. We pray for your hand, we pray for your leading and for your will being done on earth as it is in Heaven. Father, use us in mighty ways. May we find our strength only through our identity in Jesus Christ. Strip us away, that you and your hand may be prevalent.

Philippians 2

I love Mathew Henry’s thoughts on how we should live in response to Christ’s humility as described in Philippians 2:

Here are further exhortations to Christian duties; to like-mindedness and lowly-mindedness, according to the example of the Lord Jesus. Kindness is the law of Christ's kingdom, the lesson of his school, the livery of his family. Several motives to brotherly love are mentioned. If you expect or experience the benefit of God's compassions to yourselves, be compassionate one to another. It is the joy of ministers to see people like-minded. Christ came to humble us, let there not be among us a spirit of pride. We must be severe upon our own faults, and quick in observing our own defects, but ready to make favourable allowances for others. We must kindly care for others, but not be busy-bodies in other men's matters. Neither inward nor outward peace can be enjoyed, without lowliness of mind. (Phil. 2:5-11)