There will not be a Devotional Guide for October 11 - 15 or October 18 - 22.

Check back on October 25th for our next Devotional Guide.

We know that Northview people love to be in God’s Word and often ask for direction on different devotional apps and reading plans.

While there are several good options available through various sources, we’d like to encourage you to join in our Northview Devotional Guide which will guide you to read and reflect on the passages preached in our weekend sermons! We hope this will unite our congregation around the study of God’s Word, and help us to more readily absorb and apply the great teaching provided by our preaching pastors. Each week we’ll be providing a suggested schedule for working through a passage slowly (15 minutes a day). You’ll need a Bible and a notebook or blank paper to record your observations.

Printable Version

Each day we endeavour to 1) understand the story of the characters in the text; 2) connect to His story; and then 3) apply it to our story through adoration, confession and supplication.

DAY ONE | UNDERSTAND THEIR STORY

  • In Isaiah 44:24, 45:9, 45:1, the LORD repeats one idea several times. 
    • Read these verses.  What does He want Israel to know?
    • Why do you think it is important for them to know this?
  • Read Isaiah 44:24-28
    • What hope does the LORD give to the nation of Israel? 

 

In this section of text the LORD is claiming that because he originally formed everything and everyone, he can and will re-form and re-build according to his purposes. Pray in supplication that His will would be done on earth as it is in heaven!  

 

DAY TWO | UNDERSTAND THEIR STORY

  • In Isaiah 44:28 – 45:6, we are introduced to a new character named Cyrus.
    • How does God describe Cyrus in these verses? What titles or status does he give to Cyrus?
    • What does the LORD say that Cyrus will do for him?
    • What will the LORD do for Cyrus?  
    • Do you think that Cyrus is a “god-fearer” or “believer” according to these verses? Why or why not?
  • Isaiah 45:4 and 45:6 describe 2 reasons why the LORD has anointed Cyrus for this purpose. Who does God want to reach or save through his work with Cyrus?

This text teaches that God can fulfill his purposes through any leader, regardless of whether they know or fear  him.  Pray in Supplication for local, provincial, federal and national leaders: that God would use them for his purposes – so that all the world will know that he alone is God.

 

DAY THREE | CONNECT TO HIS STORY

  • The LORD reminds Israel in this text that he has revealed himself to them, and that they don’t have to  guess who He is and what he requires from them.
    • What is the main thing he wants them to know (see Isaiah 45:5, 6, 14, 18, 21, 22)?
    • What is he reminding them of, in Isaiah 45:19? 
      • Isaiah 45:19 echoes Deuteronomy 4:32-40.  Read these verses in Deuteronomy and write down the different methods that God used to reveal  himself to Israel.
    • What does the LORD say about his wisdom in Isaiah 44:25?
      • How does the Apostle Paul echo this language in 1 Corinthians 1:18-25?  

 

Pray in Adoration to God that he reveals himself to people through his words, his actions, his commands (Deuteronomy 4), and ultimately saves through the “foolishness” of the cross (1 Corinthians 1). 

 


DAY FOUR | CONNECT TO HIS STORY

  • On Day 2 we looked at what this text revealed about Cyrus.  Today we’ll examine what we can learn about him in other parts of the Bible. 
    • Read 2 Chronicles 36:22-23. What do we learn about Cyrus here?  
    • Read Ezra 1:1-8.  What additional information do we learn about Cyrus here?  
    • Read Daniel 6:28, and Daniel 10:1.  Which other famous biblical character is associated with the reign of Cyrus?

 

These texts demonstrate that what God promised to Isaiah, happened in history. Cyrus permitted the Israelites to return and rebuild Jerusalem. Pray in Adoration that the LORD is sovereign over the world and its leaders! 

 


DAY FIVE | APPLY TO OUR STORY

  • In light of everything that is said about the LORD, Cyrus and the nation of Israel in these chapters, people are commanded to NOT do something, and TO do something else.
    • Read Isaiah 45:9-11. What are we not to do?
      • In what way are you tempted to strive with God, or to question God’s character and his actions? 
    • Read Isaiah 45:22-23. What are we to do? 
      • In what ways do you need to be reminded to turn to God and be saved, today?  There is  no other god that can save you.

 

As you pray, Read Philippians 2:1-11 which echoes this passage in Isaiah.  Jesus did not strive with God, or question his plan, and consequently Isaiah 45:23 is perfectly fulfilled in him (Phil 2:10-11).  Pray in reflection and confession:  How can your life model that of your saviour?