Isaiah 48:17 (NIV) This is what the LORD 
says - your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: 
I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what 
is best for you, who directs you in the way you 
should go. 

Isaiah 48:17 (NLT) The LORD, your 
Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel, says: I am the LORD 
your God, who teaches you what is good and leads 
you along the paths you should follow.  

INTRODUCTION

Like a loving parent, God teaches and 
directs us. We should listen to him because peace 
and righteousness come to us as we obey his 
Word. Refusing to pay attention to Gods 
commands invites punishment and threatens that peace 
and righteousness. [Life Application SB] 

COMMENTARY PEARL

   How does the Bible help us develop 
spiritually? First, it points us to the truth - about 
God, about ourselves, about the world, and most 
of all about Jesus and His love for us. The 
Christian faith isn't just a matter of personal 
opinion or unfounded optimism. It is rooted in the 
unchanging truth of God, revealed to us in the pages of 
His written Word. The Bible is the constant rain 
that waters our root system of faith. 
   How can we be sure we make right 
decisions in life? By applying biblical principles. 
The world has its own values and goals, but they 
will never give us the lasting security and peace 
we seek. 
   Don't be intimidated by the Bible or 
think it is impossible to understand. Even if you 
read only a few verses a day, God can still use 
it to reshape your life. Take advantage of 
opportunities to learn the Bible from others - your 
pastor, respected teachers on Christian radio, and 
Christian books; but never let these things replace 
your personal reading of Scripture. It is a 
priceless gift to you. 
   How are you incorporating Bible reading 
into your daily life? [Peace for Each Day by 
Billy Graham] 

COMMENTARY 

   The yoke is placed upon the oxen to aid 
them in drawing the load, to lighten the burden. 
So with the yoke of Christ. When our will is 
swallowed up in the will of God, and we use His gifts 
to bless others, we shall find life's burden 
light. He who walks in the way of God's 
commandments is walking in company with Christ, and in 
His love the heart is at rest. When Moses 
prayed, "Show me now Thy way, that I may know Thee," 
the Lord answered him, "My presence shall go 
with thee, and I will give thee rest." And 
through the prophets the message was given, "Thus 
saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and 
ask for the old paths, where is the good way, 
and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for 
your souls." Ex. 33:13, 14; Jer. 6:16. And He 
says, "O that thou hadst hearkened to My 
commandments! then had thy peace been as a river, and thy 
righteousness as the waves of the sea." Isa. 48:18.  
   Those who take Christ at His word, and 
surrender their souls to His keeping, their lives to 
His ordering, will find peace and quietude. 
Nothing of the world can make them sad when Jesus 
makes them glad by His presence. In perfect 
acquiescence there is perfect rest. The Lord says, "Thou 
wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is 
stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee." Isa. 
26:3. Our lives may seem a tangle; but as we 
commit ourselves to the wise Master Worker, He will 
bring out the pattern of life and character that 
will be to His own glory. And that character 
which expresses the glory--character--of Christ 
will be received into the Paradise of God. A 
renovated race shall walk with Him in white, for they 
are worthy.   
   As through Jesus we enter into rest, 
heaven begins here. We respond to His invitation, 
Come, learn of Me, and in thus coming we begin the 
life eternal. Heaven is a ceaseless approaching 
to God through Christ. The longer we are in the 
heaven of bliss, the more and still more of glory 
will be opened to us; and the more we know of 
God, the more intense will be our happiness. As 
we walk with Jesus in this life, we may be 
filled with His love, satisfied with His presence. 
All that human nature can bear, we may receive 
here. But what is this compared with the 
hereafter? {DA 331} 

The source of Christ's victory, the secret 
of His power, and of ours, lies in obedience 
... In an obedient heart there is a way prepared 
for God.  There are many Christians who always 
seek pleasure and satisfaction for themselves.  
These have not yet learned that only obedient 
children are happy children.  That which in truth 
brings abiding happiness is nothing else than 
obedience toward God.  For a healthy soul there is 
only one thing that counts - to be obedient.  Why 
have so many of God's lambs so little assurance 
of salvation?  Why are their souls not 
satisfied with the peace of God?  God gives us the 
answer in Isa.48:18: "Oh, that thou hadst hearkened 
to my commandments!  Then had thy peace been as 
a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of 
the sea."  People say, "I lack faith.  I have 
too little faith; therefore I have no assurance 
of salvation, no peace."  But in most instances 
it is not faith which is lacking, for even with 
a trembling hand one can receive costly gifts. 
 It is rather obedience which is lacking.  
There is something in their lives which they will 
not let go, and which hinders the Holy Spirit 
from giving them the assurance that they are 
God's children ... No one who is disobedient to 
God can have confidence in Him.  Confidence is a 
result of obedience. by G. Steomberger [Time With 
God SB] 

ONE LINER

Nothing of the world can make them sad when 
Jesus makes them glad by His presence. DA 331 

LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY 

Isaiah 48:17, 18 - Follow God And Enjoy 
Peace Like A River. 

http://www.abible.com/devotions/2005/20050422-0758.html 

John 17:17 - Holiness from God's Word.

http://www.abible.com/devotions/2020/20201007-1438.html 

Romans 1:16, 17 - Power of the Gospel.

http://www.abible.com/devotions/2020/20200924-1151.html 

LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT

https://abible.com/links/