Once again we meditate on an Old Testament passage that is all about Jesus Christ. When we read "

5

The Lord God has opened my ear,
and I was not rebellious;
I turned not backward.

6

I gave my back to those who strike,
and my cheeks to those who pull out the beard;
I hid not my face
from disgrace and spitting.

7

But the Lord God helps me;
therefore I have not been disgraced;
therefore I have set my face like a flint,
and I know that I shall not be put to shame."

We realize that Christ humbled Himself in so many ways, even giving His cheeks to His tormentors. Chad meditates on this and the meaning of "Word of the Father".

Lynn sings "Step by Step".

Show Notes:

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What’s New from 1517:

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• Ditching the Checklist by Mark Mattes

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More from the hosts:

• Chad Bird

Lyrics to "Step by Step"

Though I walk through darkness

And my eyes they cannot see

Your voice has been my light.

With every step guiding me

Word of the Father

You speak to me

You offered Yourself

For Your enemies

Morning by morning

Awaken me I pray

Not by my own light

And not in my own way

Lord you will help me

With every step, every hour

Day by day

With every step, every hour

Day by day

You are the Word

You didn’t hide Your face

From hate and disgrace

You brought light to the darkness

To the whole human race

Word of the Father

You speak to me

You offered Yourself

For Your enemies

Morning by morning

Awaken me I pray

Not by my own light

And not in my own way

Lord you will help me

With every step, every hour

Day by day

With every step, every hour

Day by day

You are the Word

You gave Your back to those who strike,
and Your cheeks to those who pulled out Your beard;
You did not hide Your face

You did not hide Your face
from all of this disgrace

You sustain me and remain with a word

All who are weary

And Your sacrifice was not in vain

You carried all our shame

I hope in Your name

The name without shame

The mighty name of Jesus

You are the Word

Only God sees the whole story, and the backstory from every angle, and only God is qualified to judge us. We may judge others and ourselves much too harshly, or we may not care enough to speak up when someone is in need of guidance. in Psalm 98 we see the whole earth become animated and rejoice because God is coming to judge, and He will get it right. The wonderful Colin Heinrich sings "Face to Face".

Show Notes:

• Support 1517 Podcast Network

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• 1517 on Youtube

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What’s New from 1517:

• Preorder Sinner Saint by Luke Kjolhaug

• The Impossible Prize: A Theology of Addiction by Donavan Riley

• Ditching the Checklist by Mark Mattes

• Broken Bonds: A Novel of the Reformation, Book 1 of 2 by Amy Mantravadi

More from the hosts:

• Chad Bird

Hezekiah pleads with God for his life. Chad meditates on the riches found in this wonderful passage. Chris Lizotte sings a beautiful ballad entitled "Unremembered".

Show Notes:

• Support 1517 Podcast Network

• 1517 Podcasts

• 1517 on Youtube

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What’s New from 1517:

• Preorder Sinner Saint by Luke Kjolhaug

• The Impossible Prize: A Theology of Addiction by Donavan Riley

• Ditching the Checklist by Mark Mattes

• Broken Bonds: A Novel of the Reformation, Book 1 of 2 by Amy Mantravadi

More from the hosts:

• Chad Bird

Lyrics to "Unremembered"

I see the setting sun

In the middle of my life

And here I come

To the bitter end

Wounded and rejected

Unable to pretend

I know its by Your hand

That day turns into night

I cry til morning

No strength left to fight

You shattered all my bones

I’m a bird who cannot fly

Chorus:

But today I am living

Today I will feast

For the rest of my life

I’ll walk down these streets

And give you thanks

For though my wounds are tender

My sin is unremembered

Forgiveness is found in You

Everything you’ve done

Was for my benefit

To save me from myself

Myself and my regrets

Only You can make me whole

And heal my wounded soul

In struggle or in pain

Your mercy comes down

In loss or gain

I will always be found

Praise the Lord, O my soul

I will join the heavenly hosts

All my sins

Behind Your back

Unremembered

This wonderful passage shows our Savior, 700 years before the incarnation, suffering and receiving honor and glory. Chad gives such pastoral encouragement in his meditation on this scripture. The amazing Markita Knight sings "Don't Let Me Go Astray".

Show Notes:

• Support 1517 Podcast Network

• 1517 Podcasts

• 1517 on Youtube

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What’s New from 1517:

• Preorder Sinner Saint by Luke Kjolhaug

• The Impossible Prize: A Theology of Addiction by Donavan Riley

• Ditching the Checklist by Mark Mattes

• Broken Bonds: A Novel of the Reformation, Book 1 of 2 by Amy Mantravadi

More from the hosts:

• Chad Bird

Lyrics to "Don't Let me Go Astray"

Isaiah 49: 1-6

You were there in ages past
And called from the womb
Called to redeem the lost
And rise out of the tomb
You are the Light
Light of the nations
Until the end, and after
My Salvation
My Salvation

Chorus
Don’t let me go astray
Don’t let it be for nothing
Don’t let me fall away
As I wait for your coming
My Salvation
My Salvation

You were despised and rejected
Your labor was not in vain
In the shadow of Your hand, you hid me
You saved me and know my name
Open your ears, all you people
Pay attention near and far
Our salvation
Our salvation

But You said, “I have labored in vain;
 I have spent my strength for nothing and vanity;
yet surely my right is with the Lord,
 my recompense with my God.”

And now the Lord says,
 he who formed You from the womb to be his servant,
to bring Jacob back to him;
 and that Israel might be gathered to him—
for You are honored in the eyes of the Lord,
 and Your God has become Your strength—.
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia

Hope for the downcast. There is only one way to be eternally rescued, and that way is to trust in the finished work of Christ. Christ for us, always. Izzi Ray beautifully sings "Jesus, Lord I Trust In You".

Show Notes:

• Support 1517 Podcast Network

• 1517 Podcasts

• 1517 on Youtube

• 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts

• 1517 Events Schedule

• 1517 Academy - Free Theological Education

What’s New from 1517:

• Preorder Sinner Saint by Luke Kjolhaug

• The Impossible Prize: A Theology of Addiction by Donavan Riley

• Ditching the Checklist by Mark Mattes

• Broken Bonds: A Novel of the Reformation, Book 1 of 2 by Amy Mantravadi

More from the hosts:

• Chad Bird

Psalm 18 is both a lament and a triumphant song of Christ's victory. Chad explains how we cannot lose when we bring all of our pain before our loving God. Bryan Duncan sings his heart out on this song. Blessed are those who wait on the Lord.

Show Notes:

• Support 1517 Podcast Network

• 1517 Podcasts

• 1517 on Youtube

• 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts

• 1517 Events Schedule

• 1517 Academy - Free Theological Education

What’s New from 1517:

• Preorder Sinner Saint by Luke Kjolhaug

• The Impossible Prize: A Theology of Addiction by Donavan Riley

• Ditching the Checklist by Mark Mattes

• Broken Bonds: A Novel of the Reformation, Book 1 of 2 by Amy Mantravadi

More from the hosts:

• Chad Bird

The day is soon coming when all of our earthly life will seem like a distant breath, though certainly today has plenty of blessings, and also concerns. Our hearts our prone to wander, and cling fast to earthly attachments which only distract us from the riches we already have received in Christ. Scripture echoes itself throughout the old and new testament, and this beautiful chapter of Isaiah is a good example of "great things" restated. Chad lays this out for us in ways that is sure to encourage us along our journey. Izzi Ray beautifully sings "And In That Day".

Show Notes:

• Support 1517 Podcast Network

• 1517 Podcasts

• 1517 on Youtube

• 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts

• 1517 Events Schedule

• 1517 Academy - Free Theological Education

What’s New from 1517:

• The Impossible Prize: A Theology of Addiction by Donavan Riley

• Ditching the Checklist by Mark Mattes

• Broken Bonds: A Novel of the Reformation, Book 1 of 2 by Amy Mantravadi

More from the hosts:

• Chad Bird

Lyrics to "And In That Day"

And in that day

I will say

Praise the Lord

And in that day

I will sing

The song of Your word

Though You were angry

Still you entered my soul

Drew up the waters

And made me whole

Chorus:

My good Shepherd

My salvation

I will not be afraid

I will not be afraid

My Good Shepherd

I belong to You

Body and soul

Forever

Body and soul

And in that day,

I’ll3 want for nought

No need to fear

Cause You are my strength

You are the light

Holy and pure

Though You were angry

Still you entered my soul

Drew up the waters

And made me whole

Chorus:

Good Shepherd

My salvation

I will not be afraid

I will not be afraid

Good Shepherd

I belong to You

Body and soul

Forever

Bridge:

I will sing your song in the night of sorrows

My loving guide

Every step of the way

I will not be afraid

Good Shepherd

I belong to You

Everything seems right - God has planted a vineyard and tended it, but then bad, stinky fruit emerges. What has happened? How can we make things right? Chad gives another encouraging lesson and meditation on this passage, helping us to trust fully in the work of God. Even if we are plowed up and torn apart for a season, perhaps He is accomplishing the good that He wants for us, the good we cannot do for ourselves. Bryan Duncan and guitarist Kid Ramos team up on this song that speaks of God cultivating beauty from the wasteland.

Show Notes:

• Support 1517 Podcast Network

• 1517 Podcasts

• 1517 on Youtube

• 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts

• 1517 Events Schedule

• 1517 Academy - Free Theological Education

What’s New from 1517:

• The Impossible Prize: A Theology of Addiction by Donavan Riley

• Ditching the Checklist by Mark Mattes

• Broken Bonds: A Novel of the Reformation, Book 1 of 2 by Amy Mantravadi

More from the hosts:

• Chad Bird

Lyrics for Beauty from the Wasteland

My life is a wasteland

Trampled and broken down

Briars and thorns are everywhere

In this dry and thirsty ground

I give to You my land

Plant your vines in my soil

Spirit do Your work in me

Lord Jesus, make me whole

Chorus

You bring life from death

And beauty for ashes

Forgiveness for my sins

All that I bring to You is dust and sand

But You cultivate the beauty

Beauty from the wasteland

Don’t let me be satisfied

With wild grapes in this land

Don’t let me choke from the weeds

Won’t You prune me by your hand

Pour down the rain of your Spirit

Stream the sunlight of Your Word

Cause me to root and blossom

Let my soul be undisturbed

Chorus

You bring life from death

And beauty for ashes

Forgiveness for my sins

All that I bring to You is dust and sand

But You cultivate the beauty

Beauty from the wasteland

I will sing for the one I love

For the one I love is You