Quiet Time Coaching Episode 453 | New Thing Series — Part 8 | “Grateful?” | Malcolm Cox

Introduction
A new thing! Welcome to your daily devotional podcast anchored in Isaiah 43:19: 'See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.' I'm Malcolm Cox. Join me in January and February for a daily devotional podcast aimed at inspiring your personal times of quiet with God. 

In the first few podcast episodes we will set the scene by looking at the entirety of Isaiah chapter 43. Today it is verses 22-28.

““Yet you have not called on me, Jacob, you have not wearied yourselves for me, Israel.
 You have not brought me sheep for burnt offerings, nor honoured me with your sacrifices. I have not burdened you with grain offerings nor wearied you with demands for incense.
 You have not bought any fragrant calamus for me, or lavished on me the fat of your sacrifices. But you have burdened me with your sins and wearied me with your offences.
 “I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more.
 Review the past for me, let us argue the matter together; state the case for your innocence.
 Your first father sinned; those I sent to teach you rebelled against me.
 So I disgraced the dignitaries of your temple; I consigned Jacob to destruction and Israel to scorn.”
(Isaiah 43:22-28 NIV11)

- The failure of God’s people to live like the redeemed
- The charge
    - You have not prayed to, worshipped, or approached God as He prescribed
        - Not sought Him with a pure, righteous heart
        - Not sought to be cleansed by the blood of the sacrifice
    - You have not faithfully brought your special offerings to the Lord
    - You have burdened the Lord with your sins
- The appeal of the Lord: He alone blots out your transgressions
    - “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (Colossians 3:15-17 NIV11)
    - “He will not always accuse, nor will he harbour his anger forever;     -  he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.     -  For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him;     -  as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.” (Psalm 103:9-12 NIV11)
- The trial of hypocrites
    - God’s demand: Prove your case, your innocence
    - God’s charge: Your ancestors— even leaders— have always sinned
    - God’s judgment: The religious leaders will be disgraced & the people destroyed

For Reflection
- What keeps your gratitude refreshed?

Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community.

Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: malcolm@malcolmcox.org.

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Conclusion
I hope you find your heart, your life, your congregation and your world inspired by God doing a new thing. Until tomorrow, take care, and God bless. 

God bless, Malcolm

"Carpe Diem" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/