So this is what the Sovereign Lord
says:
See, I lay a stone in
Zion,
a tested stone,
a precious cornerstone for a sure
foundation;
the one who trusts will never be
dismayed.
28:16
Footnote:
If you're building anything, you
need a firm base, Isaiah speaks of a foundation stone, a cornerstone, that will
be laid in Zion. This cornerstone is the Messiah, the foundation on whom we
build our lives. Is your life built on the flimsy base of your own successes or
dreams? Or is it set on a firm foundation (see Psalm 118:22; 1 Peter
2:8).
28:23-29 Footnote:
The farmer uses special
tools to plant and harvest tender herbs so he will not destroy them. He takes
into account how fragile they are. In the same way God takes all our individual
circumstances and weaknesses into account. He deals with each of us
sensitively. We should follow his example when we deal with others. Different
people require different treatment. Be sensitive to the needs of those around
you and the special treatment they may need.
These people come near to me with
their mouth
and honor me with their
lips,
but their hearts are far from
me.
Their worship of
me
is made up only of rules taught by
men.
29:13
Footnote:
The people claimed to be close to
God, but they were disobedient and merely went through the motions; therefore,
God would bring judgment upon them. Religion had become routine instead of
real. Jesus quoted Isaiah's condemnation of Israel's hypocrisy when he spoke to
the Pharisees, the religious leaders of his day. We are all capable of
hypocrisy. Often we slip into routine patterns when we worship and we neglect
to give God our love and devotion. If we want to be called God's people, we
must be obedient and worship him honestly and sincerely.
Keep reading -- 168 days left!
All footnotes taken from the Life Application Study Bible, NIV
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