Bible Studies
Lent 2006, part 3The Holy Spirit Helps with Your Assignment
Isaiah 61:1-4, 6, 8
Devotions for fasting, March 20-24: Only healthy adults should participate in this fast.
If you are taking medication or are a nursing mother, please do not participate
in abstaining from food,
but prayerfully find other pleasures to give up during Lent. For more on Lent
itself, see week 1
Monday Meditate on Isaiah 61:1 (Read and repeat it several times throughout the day)
“The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners.”
In this passage, Isaiah is recognizing that it is the Spirit of God that is empowering him to mend hearts and set people free. This is his acknowledgement that he is just an instrument, a tool for bring glory to God.
- The Spirit of God is living inside of you and He is empowering you.
How will you change lives for God's glory?
- Who around you is brokenhearted?
Who around you is being held in physical, mental or emotional captivity?
Who around you is in darkness?
- Praying is always in order, but Isaiah says "He has sent me"...now that you have identified someone in the question above, what are some action steps that you've been empowered to take to help them mend or be set free?
Tuesday Meditate on Isaiah 61: 2-3 (Read and repeat it several times throughout the day)
“… to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion - to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.”
In this passage, Isaiah is proclaiming God's ability to turn someone's life around. God is able to change your circumstances and He is able to change your name.
- Spend time today reflecting on the life you had before Christ and
how God has turned your life around. Give Him thanks.
- Share the testimony of your changed life with someone today.
Wednesday Meditate on Isaiah 61: 4 (Read and repeat it several times throughout the day)
“They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations.”
These were words of hope to a people that had lost hope. Israel's cities and holy places had been destroyed and it didn't seem possible that what they had could be rebuilt. History, alliances, families, communities and friendships were also destroyed with the fall of these cities - the idea of restoration brought great hope and great joy.
God is able to rebuild, restore and renew. Allow Him to do it in your heart today.
- Are there any relationships or events that have left you devastated
or damaged? Open your heart and let God begin to put the pieces in place
for the healing and rebuilding to begin.
- Look around. Who or what in your
community needs rebuilding? What part
can you play in this restoration process?
- At school or in the workplace, how can you become a person that rebuild and restores instead of someone that tears down or destroys?
Thursday Meditate on Isaiah 61:6 (Read and repeat it several times throughout the day.)
“And you will be called priests of the LORD, you will be named ministers of our God. You will feed on the wealth of nations, and in their riches you will boast.”
After all the restoration and rebuilding takes place, Isaiah is saying that the people will glorify God and will recognize who His people are here on earth.
- You are a minister. What is your reaction to this statement?
- Do the people
around you see you as a minister of our God? Why or why not?
- How is God getting glory from your life? What (if any) lifestyle changes do you need to make to change this?
Friday Meditate on Isaiah 61:8 (Read and repeat it several times throughout the day)
“For I, the LORD, love justice; I hate robbery and iniquity. In my faithfulness I will reward them and make an everlasting covenant with them.”
Isaiah is revealing God's heart in this passage by telling us what God loves and what God hates.
- Do you love and hate the same things that God does?
- Where are there areas
or people in your city or community that lack justice? How can you help bring
justice in these instances?
- Spend time in prayer asking God to reveal areas
in your life that have things that He hates. Ask for strength and courage
to turn away from those things.
- What can you do together with your church family to speak for and help the poor and marginalized in your community?
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