Isaiah 52:13-15 ESV - 13 Behold, my servant shall act wisely; he shall be high and lifted up, and shall be exalted. 14 As many were astonished at you-- his appearance was so marred, beyond human semblance, and his form beyond that of the children of mankind-- 15 so shall he sprinkle many nations. Kings shall shut their mouths because of him, for that which has not been told them they see, and that which they have not heard they understand.
That God would come to earth as a human and willingly endure such abject humiliation and suffering is a startling reality. It isn’t natural to our earthly, selfish human nature. We want to glorify our humanity and ignore the depravity. God, who is holy and righteous, cannot ignore such rebellion. And no one is exempt from the ravages of sin. We cannot earn our own righteousness through material wealth or political power or cultural fame. We cannot earn our own righteousness through humanitarian generosity. Only righteous perfection will atone for the cosmic rebellion that is sin. And Jesus, the suffering servant, the righteous one, the Messiah — is the only One able to satisfy the debt . . .
Psalm 2:1-3 ESV – 1 Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? 2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD and against his Anointed, saying, 3 “Let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us.”
Psalm 2:4-6 ESV – 4 He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision. 5 Then he will speak to them in his wrath, and terrify them in his fury, saying, 6 “As for me, I have set my King on Zion, my holy hill.”
God has planned the atonement for sin. He did not consult the rich or the powerful or the famous. God does not need us. Because of His steadfast love and incredible mercy, He has chosen to redeem.
Psalm 2:7-9 ESV – 7 I will tell of the decree: The LORD said to me, “You are my Son; today I have begotten you. 8 Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession. 9 You shall break them with a rod of iron and dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.”
Psalm 2:10-12 ESV – 10 Now therefore, O kings, be wise; be warned, O rulers of the earth. 11 Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. 12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way, for his wrath is quickly kindled. Blessed are all who take refuge in him.
Jesus, what a Savior!
Pray for the Persecuted Church–OpenDoorsUSA
Day 4: Ask God to equip local Open Doors partners to
stand alongside and serve the persecuted church in
Colombia. Pray specifically for the Children’s Center.
Daily Wisdom Psalm 4, 34, 64, 94, 124 Proverbs 4
Plea for Grace 
God of wonder and power! How can I not worship you?