Isaiah 49:8-15 ~ I will make all my mountains a road, and my highways shall be raised up

Chapter 49 of the Isaiah Scroll from the Dead Sea Scrolls (a copy from the Isaiah Scroll); in the Shrine of the Book, D. Samuel and Jeane H. Gottesman Centre for Biblical Manuscripts, the Israel Museum, Jerusalem.

If you would like to see the Great Isaiah Scroll from the Dead Sea, you can scroll to see the 2,000 year old copy of this 49th Chapter.

Isaiah 49:8-15

English Standard Version, David Cochran Audio

⁸ Thus says the Lord:
“In a time of favor I have answered you;
in a day of salvation I have helped you;
I will keep you and give you
as a covenant to the people,
to establish the land,
to apportion the desolate heritages,
⁹ saying to the prisoners, ‘Come out,’
to those who are in darkness, ‘Appear.’
They shall feed along the ways;
on all bare heights shall be their pasture;
¹⁰ they shall not hunger or thirst,
neither scorching wind nor sun shall strike them,
for he who has pity on them will lead them,
and by springs of water will guide them.
¹¹ And I will make all my mountains a road,
and my highways shall be raised up.
¹² Behold, these shall come from afar,
and behold, these from the north and from the west,^{[from the sea]}
and these from the land of Syene.” ^{[Dead Sea Scroll, Masoretic Text Sinim]}

¹³ Sing for joy, O heavens, and exult, O earth;
break forth, O mountains, into singing!
For the Lord has comforted his people
and will have compassion on his afflicted.

¹⁴ But Zion said, “The Lord has forsaken me;
my Lord has forgotten me.”

¹⁵ “Can a woman forget her nursing child,
that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb?
Even these may forget,
yet I will not forget you.

The blessings of being in the Wednesday Lenten Service tonight. Prayer is always a great thing. And very appreciated, regardless of the circumstance. We prayed tonight for a local Pastor's grandchild. It was one of the Pastors we prayed for during our 30 Churches uniting from different denominations to gather as the Body of Jesus Christ. The baby boy in acute distress is named Thachery. He has atrophied brain problems, yet weighs 6 pounds and is able to move his mouth - astonishing the doctors. Please lift your soul to the Lord to pray for Baby Thachery's recovery.

Should we put our desires of our heart before God or should we allow God's will to be done. We should always do both.

Father God, we pray for a time of favor, for You to answer us. We ask salvation, healing for Baby Thachery. Please establish Baby Thachery, apportion to him good health. Away from the prison an ill body can be. We ask Baby Thachery will be able to feed, not to hunger or thirst physically or spiritually. Have pity upon this family, Lord Jesus Christ, and guide them. Let their lives be the road You would have for them - raised up for Your Glory. Forgive us our sins, Father God, let them be as far from us as the East from the West. For Yours is the Power, the Glory, Forever. We ask You, Father God, to give us the opportunity to sing for joy to You. For Your comfort and Your compassion on the afflicted. Let Your gracious will be done. Always. In the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayers also for Judy, a friend from our Couples Group. Her husband Bob was killed by a young man, in his 20s with 2 small children, driving while intoxicated. They were a favorite part of our group during the two years we led that small group. Recently retired to Bob's home town, they were so very happy in their retirement the short 8 months they were there.

Lord, comforted Your people and have compassion on the afflicted.

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