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Daily Devotions
for May 2004
THEME - Continuing Prophecy in the Book of Isaiah
Please click on the current date # above to read the devotional for the
day!
It is our desire to make these devotionals
readily available to anyone who can use them. We pray that as you daily read
and meditate on God's Word, you will be able to use these to help you
spiritually grow in your daily walk with the Lord
May God richly bless you this day!
These
devotionals are written by the following men:
- DW - Senior Pastor, Dan Wilkenson
- RJS - Retired Pastor, Dr. Bob Shifflett
- DM - Associate Pastor, Dave Most
Saturday, May 1
Great Destruction
Coming Upon the Earth,
But There is Hope
Isaiah 24: 1-20
Man thinks he can improve his living
quarters, i.e. th earth. The last half of the 20th century were the years of cleaning up the
air, water, and soil. However, God says in our text there will be wars,
countries wasted, cities thrown into confusion, general desolation, and the
few men left are scattered over the face of the globe. If man escapes
one calamity, another will overtake him. Treachery is all about
us. The earth totters and trembles from its foundations. It reels
to and fro, broken up and shattered and finally falls from its place or
orbit. These prophecies were given twenty-seven hundred years ago and
we are seeing them fulfilled. "For
as the lightning, that lighteneth out of the one part under
heaven, shineth unto the other part under heaven; so shall also the
Son of man be in his day. 25. But first
must he suffer many things, and be rejected of this generation. 26. And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be
also in the days of the Son of man. 27. They did eat, they drank,
they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe
entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all.
28. Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they
drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded;
29. But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and
brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. 30.
Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is
revealed." Luke 17: 24-30
The beautiful thing about prophecy is
that the believers will be cought up before all these things come to
pass. The scriptures guarantee we will not be here,
because we shall have been called up with Christ and view the
catastrophic events, as we look over the battlements of heaven, free from the
calamities that will rain upon the earth during the Tribulation.
Verses 21-23
picture the same events as found in Rev.
19-20. Satan is cast into the bottomless pit. The
antichrist and false prophet consigned to the lake of fire. All
creation will stand in the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the
Judge of all the earth. After all these sorrows and disasters, we will
live and reign with Christ and see the new heavens and tnew earth. The
New Jerusalem will descend from heaven and God will dwell among His
people. RJS
Sunday, May 2
God’s Blessings on His
People
Isaiah 25
After
the deliverance of God’s people from the Egyptians, we find a song of praise
for their deliverance. This chapter is a song of praise for the deliverance
of God’s people in the tribulation. The period then is the kingdom age. In
this chapter, the kingdom age is closely linked with the eternal state. This
is not unique. In Biblical prophecy, the first and second comings of Jesus
Christ are often linked together as one.
God’s deliverance of His people in the kingdom is pictured as a
banquet feast on the mountain of the Lord Almighty. Mountains are often
symbols of governmental authority (e.g., Dan. 2:44-45) but here the mountain probably
refers to Jerusalem (Mount Zion) from which the Messiah will rule in
the kingdom. Food will be provided for all peoples, which fact once again
stresses the worldwide extent of God’s kingdom over those who believe. This
does not mean that everyone who lives in the Millennium will be saved (though
only redeemed people will enter the Millennium at its beginning); instead it means
that people in all areas of the world will be saved. (1)
Among
the blessings of the kingdom we read in verse 8, He will swallow up death
in victory; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the
rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the LORD
hath spoken it. The end of death and the wiping away of tears occur in
the eternal sate.
Isaiah referred to Moab as representing those who oppose
God and will be judged by Him. Moab was east of Israel across the Dead Sea. Israel and Judah had many
altercations with Moab, that was known for her pride (v. 11; cf. 16:6). She
felt that the works of her hands and her cleverness would protect her, but it
would not. Moab-and all God’s enemies-will be totally
destroyed, trampled, and brought down . . . low (cf. 26:5) to the very dust.
Only God’s people, in Israel and in other nations, will enjoy
God’s time of prosperity and blessing. (2) In this life, we face
difficulty and uncertainty. We need to take hope and heart that at the end of
the age all will be well for the righteous. Are you among the righteous
redeemed of the Lord? DW
(1) (2) The Bible Knowledge Commentary, (Wheaton, Illinois: Scripture Press
Publications, Inc.) 1983, 1985.
Monday, May, 3
A Song of Salvation from the Coming
Judgment
Isaiah 26
Isa 51:11 Therefore the redeemed of the LORD shall return, and
come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon
their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall
flee away.
Music is such a powerful language. God uses music in many ways,
including how to tell the difference between true believers, and others that
just profess to be Christian. Say, what kind of song takes place in your
heart every day?! As true believers, we have a new song to sing. It is called
the song of the redeemed. This is not to be confused with the song of
profession, the song of self, the song of the flesh, or the song of the
world. This is the song that can only be spiritually recognized and
acceptably sung by those who have truly repented of their sin, and by those
who have called upon the name of Jesus Christ to save them from the wages of
sin. This new song is sung by those who live submissive lives and are
obedient to their Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
In our text today, we see a song being sung about the coming
Millennium, the 1000 year reign of Christ, right after the rapture and then
the seven year tribulation, where Jesus will reign on the earth with His
church. We are to look ahead to that coming time. Literally, Heb 12:2
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith. There are so
many that do not know Christ, even many who profess with their mouths, but
not from their hearts. We are saved by grace, not profession. Tit 2:11-14 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath
appeared to all men, 12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly
lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the
great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 14 Who gave himself for us, that he
might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people,
zealous of good works.
Yes, God desires that we keep our eyes fixed on Him and that the
song of our hearts will reflect that new song that He has placed there, so
that others will see it and fear and will trust in Him! Psa 40:3 And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise
unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD. Amen. DM
(1) (2) Walvoord, John
F., and Zuck, Roy B., The Bible Knowledge
Commentary, (Wheaton, Illinois: Scripture Press
Publications, Inc.) 1983, 1985.
Tuesday, May 4
The Triple Judgment on the Powers of
Darkness
Isaiah 27:1
Isaiah is filled with prophecy and the restoration of Israel,
but this verse tells of the destruction of the Satanic Trinity. 1) That old
Dragon, Satan. 2) The Beast that comes up from the sea, antichrist. 3) The
unholy spirit or the False Prophet.
This crowning judgment is described, “In that day” – the day of
God’s vengeance, - when all His enemies have been put down. Jehovah will
finally visit with His sword these mighty foes, which are described in three
figures: 1) “Leviathan the swift serpent, Satan.” 2) “Leviathan, the crooked
serpent, Antichrist.” 3) “The Dragon that is in the sea, False Prophet.”
Leviathan is first found in Job 41:1, Canst thou
draw out leviathan with an hook? or his tongue with
a cord which thou lettest down? There is no doubt that Leviathan
described in Job 41 is none other than Satan. (Leviathan is mentioned in Job
41, Palms 71:14, 104:26 and Isaiah 27:1). Notice he is pictured in Job 41:34
as “a king over all the children of pride.” In Isaiah 14:12-15, we see
Satan as “Lucifer”, we see the “pride of Satan” in the five “I wills.” In
Ezekiel 28:13-17, we have a picture of Satan in the past, present and future.
He was in Eden, a type of heaven here on earth, verse
13. He was in heaven, in the presence of God, 14 and 15a. Then we see his
fall in 15b-17, and cast out of heaven to the earth. The last phrase in vs.
17 pictures his downfall and destruction as recorded in Revelation 20:10. And
the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone,
where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night
for ever and ever. Hell is a prepared place for Satan and the fallen
angels; yes, all these are going to be there. Man is not sent there, he goes
by choice. We are rational creatures, and we have a free will to make our
choices. Every experience in life leads to choices. If we seek God’s wisdom,
these choices are under divine direction. If we make decisions without God,
they may be wrong. Man goes to hell because he makes the wrong choice. It is
not God’s will that any should perish (2 Peter 3:9) Dear reader, do you have
that inner assurance that you are saved? I do! “Do you know that you have
been born again?” I do! RJS
Wednesday, May 5
Spiritual Decline
Isaiah 28
Isaiah continued his theme of judgment with a series of “woes”
against various groups who were opposing his words. Here he was attacking
primarily the rulers of the Northern and Southern Kingdoms for their failure
to heed God’s Word and for looking to other means for protection. They were trusting
in their wealth (chap. 28) and foreign alliances (chaps. 30-31). (1)
Vice was a problem
in both the northern and southern kingdoms in Israel. The particular problem addressed is
drunkenness. They had given themselves to strong drink. The civil and
spiritual leadership was involved. The strong pronouncements in this
chapter are directed against the Northern Kingdom (vv. 1-13) and the Southern Kingdom
(vv. 14-29). Before long the Northern Kingdom would fall to the Assyrians (722
b.c.). Writing to the people of the south, Isaiah was encouraging them not to
be like their Northern brothers and sisters. God’s judgment was designed to
bring the people to repentance before him (vv. 23-29), not to ‘get even’ with
them. (2)
These proud leaders respond with contempt and arrogance to the
ministry of Isaiah. They were angry that Isaiah was treating them as if they
were young children. They felt they were adults who could think for
themselves; they had no need for someone to tell them what to do or think. So
they mimicked Isaiah as if he were speaking “baby talk” to them (v. 10). (3)
The people of the Southern Kingdom had much the same attitude as their
Northern brothers. They too were scoffing at God’s revelation through Isaiah. (4) People in sin, don’t like correction.
People in sin have already hardened themselves to the working of God’s
Spirit. When a human messenger comes, their heart is revealed in their
arrogant contempt for the messenger. The negative message of this chapter is
offset with a powerful message of hope. The Messiah and the coming Kingdom
provide the foundation for this hope. Our experience here might cause us to
despair, but if we hang on to God’s Word and faith we know that weeping only
endures through the night. In the morning, joy will surely come. DW (1) (2) (3) (4) Walvoord, John F.,
and Zuck, Roy B., The Bible Knowledge Commentary, (Wheaton, Illinois: Scripture Press Publications, Inc.)
1983, 1985.
Thursday, May 6
The Blindness of
Disobedience
Isaiah 29
What an indictment on spiritual leaders and
unsaved people in churches and families today. God says there are many who
will not obey. This disobedience leads to further consequence, Isa 29:13 Wherefore
the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and
with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and
their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men.
Can you imagine? What precepts of any man are
greater than those of God, and yet that is what we see taking place in our
society today more than ever before. Right is quickly becoming wrong, and wrong is quickly becoming right. God’s Word is
being pushed aside and men’s opinions and supposed education, along with self
knowledge and opinion is being exalted. We need to watch out. Col 2:8
Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the
tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
The simple truth is that God’s Word tells us
what is taking place. It is called spiritual ignorance, disobedience, and
unbelief. People’s minds are blinded to the truth. 2Co 3:14 But their
minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away
in the reading of the old testament; which [vail] is done away in Christ.
True Christians have had the veil taken away and are taught the spiritual
things by the Holy Spirit, who dwells in them. The tragedies that we see in
broken families today; the ungodliness of homosexuality and its detriments to
society; the Blindness of disobedience, it is a terrible thing. God will, Jud
1:15,16 …execute judgment upon all, and to convince
all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have
ungodly committed, and of all their hard [speeches] which ungodly sinners
have spoken against him. 16 These are murmurers, complainers, walking after
their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling [words], having
men's persons in admiration because of advantage.
Well, what do we need to do? Jud 1:20, 21 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your
most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, 21 Keep yourselves in the love of
God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
Yes, we need to repent and turn to Christ to save us; then we need to
encourage one another to live for Him! DM
Friday, May 7
Israel Depends on
Egypt instead of the Lord
Isaiah 30
The chapter begins with a three-fold rebellion
or transgression. The children are mentioned (vs. 1) as refusing counsel and
heaping sin upon sin. Parental counsel in that day was like unto today. The
parents are so busy making a living that the children grow up with no
parental counsel. Vs. 2 tells us that God’s people were walking down into Egypt. Egypt is a type of the
world in Scripture. The application is that today’s Christians are also
walking with one foot in the world. That is like walking with one foot in the
gutter and the other on the sidewalk. Elijah used the same thought in I Kings 18:21 Elijah came unto all the people, and
said, How long halt ye between two opinions [in two divided opinions]? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow
him. And the people answered him not a word. We cannot walk in the world
and please God! Oh, that God’s people would learn this lesson and their walk
and talk would be compatible. Cf. II Corinthians 6:14-18.
The scene changes in verses 18-22 and we get a
glimpse of the Millennium from Isaiah. We see the long suffering and mercy of
God towards His people. vs. 19 The Jews will walk in Zion and inhabit Jerusalem. God said in vs. 20,
I have given you bread that did not satisfy and water that did not quench
your thirst. I will no longer hide myself from you, but you will live in my
presence. And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is
the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to
the left, Isa. 30:21. The instruction here is likened unto what Jesus
said in Matthew 7:13-14, Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the
gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be
which go in thereat: 14Because strait is the gate, and
narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. John the Baptist
said, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight, Matt. 3:3.
Also, Isaiah 30: 29, Ye shall have a song, as in the night when a holy
solemnity is kept; and gladness of heart, as when one goeth with a pipe to
come into the mountain of the LORD, to the mighty One of Israel. The
Mighty One of Israel is none other than
the Lord Jesus Christ, the Mighty God. RJS
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Saturday, May 8
False Hopes
Isaiah 31
Like the previous woe (chap. 30) this one was directed against
the Egyptian alliance which some people of Judah wanted to make (chap. 31). But this
oracle also speaks about the messianic King who will someday deliver His
people (chap. 32). (1) This woe was pronounced on those who went to Egypt for help (cf. 30:1-2), and
who relied on Egyptian horses (cf. 30:16) and chariots instead of on God.
Both actions-going to Egypt and acquiring horses-violated God’s
stipulations in the Deuteronomic Covenant (Deut. 17:16). Since God does not go back on His
words, He would judge the nation for her disobedience. The Egyptians could
not help Judah (cf. 30:3, 5, 7) for they were weak
men. Only God could ultimately protect them from their enemies. (2)
The situation described in this chapter is much like what we see
today. People instead of living by faith, trust in the things of this world,
things they can see to meet their temporal needs. God assured the people
that His greatness would protect them from the terrifying Assyrian threat. As
a lion meets up with a flock of sheep and is unafraid of a number of
shepherds, so the Lord was not afraid of the Assyrians. He promised to do
battle on Mount Zion, and like birds flying overhead He
would shield Jerusalem and not let it fall into the enemy’s
hands. Since Judah would be rescued by God (v. 5),
Isaiah called on the nation to turn back to Him. Eventually they would throw
their idols away (cf. 30:22) in favor of the true God. Therefore, Judah ought to throw them away now. Their
future hope in the kingdom should change their present behavior. The future
reality should have an ethical impact on their lives. (3)
Faith and the ultimate triumph of truth and righteousness are
something that will have a deep impact upon our lives now. All who turn from
this important spiritual reality seek temporal security and blessing, which
demonstrates their lack of faith. Unbelief is the mother of all sin. Unbelief
will ever give way to false hopes and corrupt living. There is no such thing
as faith that does not have a practical impact on our day-to-day choices.
Faith without works is dead. DW
(1)(2)(3) Walvoord, John F., and Zuck, Roy B., The
Bible Knowledge Commentary, (Wheaton, Illinois: Scripture Press Publications, Inc.) 1983, 1985.
Sunday, May 9
Consequences
of Complacency
Isaiah 32
This chapter starts out in looking ahead to the coming King,
Jesus Christ at His millennial reign. If we could only gain such spiritual
sight as true Christians, our lives would be dramatically changed. We are to
occupy this great land. We are to set God up on the throne of our lives and
of our country as to who He really is in being our Creator and Savior, and
yet, we are placing Him aside and setting ourselves up instead. We are caught
in the throws of apathy. We are stuck in the deceitfulness of apostasy and
religiosity. We are so short-sighted as Americans.
We want what we want for ourselves, and we want it now. We are
living in a land of wealth, a land of honey, where there is no want
nor need for the daily things of life. We are rich, fat, and lazy as a whole
and think that we need nothing. But, Rev 3:17 Because thou sayest, I am
rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not
that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.
Sadly, there is great cost for apathy and apostasy. There are
always consequences for sin. For many folks it will be at the cost of eternal
life in heaven. When we do not choose God’s ways and purposes in submission
and obedience, we are not staying neutral; we are choosing our own way
instead. People are going to do what they are going to do and there is not
much that will change that fact. God used His prophets to warn the people in
the Bible and God uses Pastors and parents today to preach and teach His Holy
Word to warn people and children, but in the end, there are few that will be
saved. Most people will choose to go down the broad road, the worldly road,
the road of self, the road of opinion, and the road of religion. It will cost
them dearly. There are many good people that are deceived. Mat 7:13 “Enter through the narrow gate; for
the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there
are many who enter through it. 14 "For the gate is small and the way is
narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it. 15 "Beware of
the false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are
ravenous wolves. How do we know who these people are? Mat 7:16 “You will know them by their fruits.
These are those who are not living lives of Repentance, of Submission unto
God, of Obedience to His Holy Word. This is how we know, even of ourselves.
Where are you? DM
Monday, May 10
The
Best Treasure of a Nation is a Christian Spirit
Isaiah 33: 6, 17-24
The best treasure is a spirit that worships the One and only
true God. King Sennacherib and the Assyrian army had ravaged Judah. Judah’s city walls were broken down. All her
silver and Gold carried away by that rapacious, [grasping, avid for wealth
and plunder] heathen king. Judah’s treasury had been sacked, her fields
stripped of their grain, her vineyards destroyed, but she still had one good
thing; she was rich in “the fear of the Lord.” The fear of the Lord gave her
strength to rebuild her city walls. Wisdom to seek God and direct her steps
from making alliances with the wicked nations around her, energy to throw off
her depression and struggle against her misfortunes. America had that divine
wisdom, energy, to overcome the disaster of December 7,
1942, Pearl Harbor. “The sleeping tiger,” as we were
referred to by Japan, has awakened, rolled up her sleeves,
and won the greatest war ever fought in this world. There was a song among
the factory workers and military that expressed the attitude of America six decades ago,
“Praise the Lord and Pass the Ammunition.” It’s too bad we don’t have that
spirit today!
King Hezekiah heard that the Assyrians were at the gates of
Jerusalem and he, putting on sackcloth, went into the Temple and made prayer. 2 Kings 19:1-37 and as
we read the text, we see that God had a plan. God’s plans are always right.
Verses 32-37, tell how the “Angel of the Lord” went into the Assyrians army
camp that night and when the Jews looked over the walls of Jerusalem the next morning, 85,000 Assyrians were
lying dead in their camp. Sennacherib went home a defeated leader and his own
sons killed him.
Finally, verses 20-24. Following all the above, Israel, that is, all the surviving Jews, after
the Tribulation will be fully restored in the Holy Land. The PLO will no longer exist. The Millennial Temple will stand where the “Dome of the Rock”
stands today. The Lord Jesus will sit on the throne of David for a thousand
years. Best of all, the believers of this age, the church, will reign with
Christ. After the seven years of Tribulation comes the millennial kingdom for
Jew and Gentile alike. RJS
Tuesday, May 11
The End of the Age
Isaiah 34
Isaiah used Edom as an example of God’s judgment
against the world. The Edomites were descendants of Esau, Jacob’s older brother.
Their father Isaac told Esau he would live in an infertile area (Gen.
27:39-40). Because Edom became a perpetual enemy of Israel (cf. comments on Ezek. 35; 36:5),
she was an appropriate example of what the Lord will do to all nations that
fight against His people. (1) The language used in this chapter to
describe the end of this age is dramatic. In verse 4, we read that the host
of heaven shall be dissolved, and the heavens shall be rolled together as a
scroll…
As a result of God’s
sword of judgment on Edom, her land will seem
to be ablaze (cf. Obad. 18) with sulfur (see comments on Isa. 30:33) and
burning pitch, a tar-like substance seemingly unquenchable. The land will lie
desolate for many generations (34:10; cf. v. 11). (2) This judgment at
the end of the age is terrible. It is the consummation of the present
conflict between good and evil, the righteous and the unrighteous.
Evil will not yield
without a desperate fight, but fight or not, good will prevails. Our
experience in the present is the wicked forever hate and oppose the
righteous. They are arrogant, stubborn, self-absorbed and beyond redemption.
We can never win an enemy like this. All we can do is overcome and destroy
such an enemy. Like the work of salvation, the work is not ours, but God’s.
Yet, since the work is God’s, it is certain and complete.
The dramatic events of
this chapter are a powerful witness to truth. God does not blindside people
in judgment. He gives clear and powerful warning. You would think that people
would listen to a warning of this nature, but the wicked give way to evil to
the point that they are forever beyond redemption. God does not work
redemption through coercion. He does the work, but we must yield ourselves to
His work. If we do, redemption is certain. If we don’t, we will be hardened
and corrupted to the point of hopelessness. God is not willing that any
should perish. DW
(1) (2) Walvoord, John F., and Zuck,
Roy B., The Bible Knowledge Commentary, (Wheaton, Illinois: Scripture Press Publications, Inc.)
1983, 1985.
Wednesday, May 12
The Future Glory of Zion
Isaiah 35
In our text today, we see a clear reference to the coming Reign
of Christ during the Millennium. For True Christians, this will be a glorious
time, as Jesus will be King and we will rule and reign with Him. 2Ti 2:11
It is a trustworthy statement: For if we died with Him, we will also live
with Him; 12 If we endure, we will also reign with Him; If we deny Him, He
also will deny us. The key word here is endure;
if we endure. There are a lot of folks today, who profess to know Christ, but
that is about as far as their Christian walk goes. It is only a profession,
as there is no spiritual fruit. Then there are some who live like they ought
for a time and are excited about the Lord, but begin to waver as the winds of
trials and temptations overtake them. This word endure is a very serious
thing for us to consider. What does it really mean to endure?
True Believers who
endure are giving evidence of Genuine Salvation. There is no way we can
endure in the flesh. We simply cannot continue in the faith without Christ. Mat
26:41 "Keep watching and praying that you
may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is
weak." Mar 14:38 “Keep watching and praying that you may not come
into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak." Phi 4:13 I can do all things through Him who
strengthens me. Phi 2:12 So then, my beloved, just as you have always
obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out
your salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who is at work in
you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.
God is at work to
accomplish what He desires in our lives, but we must do our part. It comes by
repentance, submission, and obedience. Then we must focus on what is ahead. Heb
12:1 Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding
us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily
entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2
fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy
set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at
the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider Him who has endured such
hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and
lose heart. Dear Lord, Forgive our sin and help us to endure faithfully.
Amen. DM
Thursday, May 13
The Boasting of the
Assyrian Emissary
Isaiah 36
Isaiah 36 begins a historical interlude between Chapters
1-35 and 40-66. These chapters 36-39 record the history of the Assyrian
invasion, and are also recorded in 2 Kings 18:13-20 and chpt.19; and 2
Chronicles 32.
When something is recorded several times in Scripture it
is the responsibility of the reader to know why. Dear readers, we need to
know that to lean on the flesh and to make a big decision that involves other
people, we need to seek the wisdom of God.
The message of the chapter is in verses 4-21.
These verses reveal the arrogance of the Assyrian messenger. The Messenger
was boastful, promising and was a sewer of discord among the Jews. When
Rab’-sha-keh was unable to persuade King Hezekiah to surrender or accept a
bribe. Then he turned to propaganda and lies to convince the people of Jerusalem, that they would be slaughtered.
Rab’-sha-keh’s motive was to belittle the king and create mob rule. It has
been true since the beginning of time, that a big
lie told often enough, people will believe it. The first lie was recorded in
Genesis 3, when Satan in the form of a serpent, came into the garden to
deceive Eve. A secular proverb that has been around for a long time needs
repeating, “A lie travels around the world while Truth is getting its boots
on.”
What the messenger to Hezekiah did not understand
was that the God of Israel, Jehovah Tsebaoth, “The Lord of the Hosts of
Heaven” was so superior to the gods of other nations that had fallen before
the Assyrian army. Rab’-sha-keh did not understand that Israel’s God was on Israel’s side and would destroy her
enemies. Our God also is interested in the election of city, county, state,
and national offices. Therefore, let us begin to pray, NOW, for divine
guidance as we go to vote in November
One syndicated columnist recently quoted another,
a much used proverb: “I believe nothing that I read and only half of what I
see.” In this election year, it would be wise to discount all but 5% of what
is said for public consumption. The other 95% that we will read in the
newspapers or hear over the radio and television is pure unadulterated
hogwash. RJS
Friday, May 14
Our Only Hope
Isaiah 37
Sennacherib, the king of Assyria, in his power and arrogance
thought he could do as he pleased with Jerusalem and even God would be
powerless against him. I always find a certain sense of security and
satisfaction whenever our enemies speak in this way. For it is even as we
read in Proverbs 16:18 Pride goeth before
destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
When faced with such a powerful and determined enemy, Hezekiah did not give
way to the same spirit of pride. Rather, he went into the temple and spread
Sennacherib’s letter before the Lord. Then he poured out his soul to God in
prayer.
In doing so, Hezekiah recognized the human reality of the
situation. He faced a powerful and determined enemy. There was not even the
possibility of trying to forge and effective alliance to meet this challenge.
God was their only hope. When we look at the history of this world, we ought
to see the goodness of God. This world has faced powerful and great evil, and
yet such powerful and evil forces have never come to dominate this world as
planned. Hitler once boasted that he would build an empire that would last
1,000 years. His pitiful attempt at ordering the history of this world didn’t
even last 1,000 days.
In the
case of Sennacherib, God dealt with the situation personally. He sent an
angel that killed 185,000 men in the Assyrian army in just one night. Then He
raised up Sennacherib’s own sons to kill him.
Without human help, God directly brought Sennacherib’s plans, power, and even
life to a quick end. We would be wise to realize what Nebuchadnezzar learned
in his pride. Nebuchadnezzar said, I blessed the most High, and I praised
and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting
dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation: 35And
all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth
according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the
earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou? I
can’t help but wonder, how many who name the name of Jesus Christ really
realize this important truth. The hope of this world is not in education,
politics, etc. It is in God. Only God can defeat evil and bring in
everlasting righteousness. God is the only hope we have in this world. DW
Hezekiah’s Life Extended
Isaiah 38
Many
times we pray for those that are sick that we may know, and we ask God to
help them get better, but we don’t always ask God for His will to be done
rather than ours. We cannot see what is ahead and we ask God to do things for
us that we think will be to our benefit, but we have no idea what the future
holds. God does and that is why it is so important to pray for the right
things and pray for them in the right ways and allow God to fulfill His
desires in our lives, rather than our desires.
It is interesting to read the
account of Hezekiah’s sickness and how he prayed and asked God to allow him
to live longer. God did answer His prayer and allowed him to live another 15
years. Hezekiah really did ask God with the right motives in mind, but as we
read the whole account of those next 15 years, we also see Hezekiah’s
parading of his wealth and he also fathered a son, Manasseh, who proved to be
the worst king in the history of Judah. How would history have been rewritten
if God would not have answered Hezekiah’s prayer and not allowed him to live
another 15 years, or if he had just prayed differently? We need to carefully
consider our own prayer life and what it consists of.
How are we to pray? We are to; 1Th
5:16 Rejoice always; 17 pray without ceasing; 18 in everything
give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. We are to; Eph 6:18 With
all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in
view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints.
Many times God does not answer our prayers because; Jam 4:3 You ask and do
not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on
your pleasures. So, we see that we must always pray giving thanks for all
things, and to do so in the power of the Holy Spirit, so that we are not
praying for things in the flesh. So, Gal 5:16 [This] I say then, Walk in the
Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. The three main
sins of a persons life are these; 1Jo 2:16 For all that [is] in the
world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of
life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. Say dear friend, are you
praying as you ought? Hezekiah didn’t know what that extension to his life
would cost. We must pray in the power of the Holy Spirit, or we, too, may
find ourselves with something other than what God really wants. DM
Sunday, May 16
King Hezekiah’s Folly and
Foolishness
Isaiah
39:1-8
At this time of Hezekiah’s healing by the
Lord and the extension of fifteen years to the king’s life, the King of
Babylon sent a message to King Hezekiah and included a “Get Well Card.” The
Babylonian king had an ulterior motive which was to spy out the land and
learn two things, 1) Hezekiah’s army and military strength, 2) The treasures
in the King Hezekiah’s house and the gold in the Temple. Hezekiah revealed to strangers the collections of
his predecessors, the treasurers of David and Solomon. It’s easy to brag
about one’s possessions, and in so doing, reveal not only to the one shown,
but also put your possessions in jeopardy to be stolen by another, because
people cannot keep their mouths shut.
Immediately after the visitors from Babylon left with their new found knowledge, Isaiah came to
Hezekiah and asked the king a searching question. “What did you reveal to
them?” “All that is in my house, there is nothing in my treasury that they
have not seen.” Then comes Isaiah’s disastrous
prophecy. Behold, the days come, that all that is in thine house, and
that which thy fathers have laid up in store until this day, shall be carried
to Babylon: nothing shall be left, saith the LORD. 7And
of thy sons that shall issue from thee, which thou shalt beget, shall they
take away; and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon,
39:6-7. We see the fulfillment
in several other places, but none like unto the Book of Daniel. In Daniel
1:6-7 the record is open for all to read about four from Hezekiah’s
household. Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel,
Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: 7Unto whom the prince of the
eunuchs gave names: for he gave unto Daniel the name of Belteshazzar; and to
Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael, of Meshach; and to Azariah, of
Abednego.
Jewish teenagers made Eunuchs in the house
of Nebuchadnezzar. Here again, God steps in, and uses these four men as a
testimony to the heathen kings. The Book of Daniel opens to us some of the
greatest prophecies found in the Old Testament as to the future of Israel and the Church. Especially, the seventy weeks of
years regarding Israel. RJS
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Monday, May 17
The Glory of God
Isaiah
40
In the opening lines of this chapter, we
see God’s great love and compassion for His wayward people. They are
suffering because of their unfaithfulness. Yet, God is touched with their
sorrow and pain. We read in verse 1, comfort ye,
comfort ye my people, saith your God… her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath
received of the LORD’S hand double for all her sins. God does not delight
in inflicting pain. He does it for our profit, but He takes no pleasure in
the death of the wicked or in chastening His people. Thank God, He knows what
we need, and is more concerned about our character than our comfort.
There is a great Messianic prophecy
starting in verse three. The Gospel writers quote this text and apply it to
Jesus Christ. The word Jehovah is used and John the Baptist is preparing the
way for Jehovah God who is Jesus Christ. In the person of Jesus Christ, the
glory of God was revealed in the form of human flesh. Then there is a great
picture of God’s sovereign rule on this earth in verse 22. Here we read, It
is he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants
thereof are as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain,
and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in… We see the same truth in
the book of Job and Proverbs. Proverbs 8:27 When he prepared the heavens,
I was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth… (If God’s
people had understood the Bible, they would have understood that the earth
was a sphere.) In controlling history God establishes rulers and removes
them (cf. Dan. 2:21). This truth would have been comforting to Isaiah’s
original readers who were living under the threat of the Assyrian Empire and
who heard his prophecy that the Babylonian Empire would take them into
captivity. (1)
God will help
us endure as we bear the consequences of sin and failure. Even though in
captivity they were weary the Lord would help them endure and soar . . . like
eagles, to be uplifted emotionally and spiritually. (2) It is not our
experience in life, but our experience of God that dominates our lives. I
wonder, what is your experience in life? DW
(1) (2) Walvoord, John F., and Zuck, Roy B., The Bible
Knowledge Commentary, (Wheaton, Illinois: Scripture Press Publications,
Inc.) 1983, 1985.
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Tuesday, May 18
Assurance
of God’s Help - The Futility of Idols
Isaiah
41
God promised Israel that He would take care of them and that He would
provide their every need. God also gives true believers these same
assurances. Phi 4:19 And my God will supply all your needs according
to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Have you every stopped to think
about what your needs really are? Needs are things we need to live. Food,
water and shelter are among the basic of needs. How many of us not only have
these basic things, but so much more. We literally are living in an abundance
of things. We have way more than we really need to be sure, and yet, we,
often times, don’t realize this as we are caught in the thinking that we need
just a little bit more. This is called idolatry. Idolatry is an ugly word
that we don’t like to think really is a part of our culture or way of life
but if we honestly stop for a moment and think about all the things that are
idols in our lives, it would sober us. Just what is an idol? An idol is anything
that we figure as the most important thing or things in our lives. It can be
bad things and it can also be good things. Things like jobs. We need money to
live for sure, but some inadvertently think that they need just a little
more. After all, if we work hard we should have those things right? We
deserve it. What about food and clothes? How many of us have more than we
need for this day? There are not very many folks who only have one set of
clothes and who don’t know where their next meal is going to come from. We
live in a land of abundance and all these things can become idols if we are
not careful to place God first. God must be first in our lives; otherwise, we
have placed an idol in His place. It is foolish to work for so much money
that we have no time for God. Money becomes an idol. The main god and idol of
our country is money. Just how much money do we need anyway? God gives us
enough for our daily bread. We are to tithe and to give offerings to God of
our first-fruits and then we are to live sacrificially, meeting the needs of
others that God shows us. Sad fact is, most of us do
not live sacrificially. Mat 6:19 "Do not store up for yourselves
treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in
and steal. 20 "But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where
neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal;
21 for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Where’s
your heart? Idols or Heaven? DM
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Wednesday, May 19
The
Mission of Jehovah’s Servant the Messiah
Isaiah
42:5-9
In verses 1- 4 the Lord God is speaking
about the Messiah, but beginning in verses 5 - 9 God is speaking to the
Messiah as a person would speak to another person, face to face. God the
Father introduces the Messiah as the Creator and Sustainer of all creation.
Cf. For by him were
all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and
invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or
powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all
things, and by him all things consist, Col. 1:16-17. The Messiah’s great glory is seen in that He
stretched them out in what appears to us as a tent filled with the lights of
sun, moons stars and planets that stretch from horizon to horizon. Cf. And all the host of heaven shall be dissolved, and
the heavens shall be rolled together as a scroll:… Isa.
34:4a. and And the heaven departed
as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were
moved out of their places, Rev. 6:14. Christ not only created them but,
He gave the trees and plants the power of reproduction and growth. He also
refers to both beasts and people in that Christ is
the source of life and breath. In the last phrase of verse 6 … and give thee (Messiah) for a covenant of the
people (Jews), for a light of (unto) the Gentiles. Cf.
Luke 2:30-32, where dear old Simeon
makes several prophecies that the Bible says Mary’s heart would also be pierced.
For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, 31Which thou hast
prepared before the face of all people; 32A light to lighten the
Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.
Verse 7: “To open the blind eyes” This
has a double reference, to both the blind physically and spiritually. On
several occasions the Messiah opened the eyes of the blind and especially the
one born bind in John 9. The second reference is to the spiritually blind.
All who are born into this world are spiritually blind until the Holy Spirit
reveals the sinful mind and heart, and the need to see the Light, that is
Christ, who is the light of the world. Then
spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that
followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life, John 8:12. Have you considered that with-out that light
you will miss the rapture and be left behind? RJS
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Thursday, May 20
Freedom
from Fear and Loss
Isaiah
43
God brought Israel into captivity in
Babylon because of the ongoing sin of idolatry. God likened this sin to an
adulterous wife who seeks out other lovers. Jacob need have no fear
in her captivity because God had created (cf. v. 7) and formed her (cf. vv.
7, 21; 44:2, 24) and had redeemed her from bondage in Egypt. “Redeemed”
translates gaµŐal,”to buy out of slavery”. Reference to
this Exodus was fitting in view of what Isaiah wrote in 43:14-28 about a new
“Exodus” in which God would bring the people back to their homeland from Babylon. (1)
In this chapter, we find some of the
most beautiful words in the Bible. It describes God’s love for His people. We
read … I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art
mine. 2When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee;
and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest
through the fire, thou shalt not be burned…. 3For I am the LORD
thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour…. 4Since thou wast precious
in my sight… I have loved thee…
These words ought to bring great comfort to our hearts. God’s
revealing His plans and saving His people could not be duplicated by any
foreign god. Israel’s existence witnesses to His sovereignty and
eternity. No one can reverse what God puts into action or thwart His plans
(cf. Job 42:2). (2) In other words, God’s dealing with His people is
something God wants the world to witness. As the world witnesses the dealings
of God with His people, they see God’s great power and love. This means that
the world will see Israel return from Babylon. Today this world sees Israel reborn as a nation after almost 2,000 years. What a
witness to God’s power, faithfulness and love for His people!
Without the Jerusalem temple the exiles were obviously unable to take
sacrifices to the altar. So with no offerings their unforgiven sins piled up!
However, God would forgive them because of His grace, for His own sake.
(3) There is no limit to the grace of God. What security and blessing there
is in being a child of God. Are you His child? DW
(1) (2) (3) Walvoord, John F., and Zuck, Roy B., The
Bible Knowledge Commentary, (Wheaton, Illinois:
Scripture Press Publications, Inc.) 1983, 1985.
Friday,
May 21
God’s Blessings, Rather
than the Foolishness of Idolatry
Isaiah 44
We all
desire to have God’s blessings. Why wouldn’t we? We think about God as
benevolent and that He will just give us anything we want for our hearts
desire. After all, God is love, right? But this attitude is one of self. In
fact, Jam 4:1 From whence [come] wars and fightings among you? [come they] not hence, [even] of your lusts that war in
your members? 2 Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and
cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. 3 Ye
ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume [it] upon
your lusts.4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship
of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore
will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. 5 Do ye think that the
scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?
Sad to say, there are many people caught in these attitudes of self.
Idolatry
is a serious sin of rebellion. God warns us many times in His word about the
sin of idolatry. Money can be an idol, as well as, anything we put in God’s
place. That includes self. Say, that’s an interesting thought. We often think
of idols as the things that people buy from a store like a statue or
something. But in fact an idol can be ourselves; our rebellious opinions, our
music, our thinking, and our lack of response to God’s call to obey. When we
purposely do not obey God, it is rebellious, stubborn-hearted idolatry. 1Sa
15:23 "For
rebellion is as the sin of divination, And insubordination is as iniquity and
idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He has also
rejected you… The Apostle Paul was so concerned about this that he said, 1Co
10:14 Therefore,
my beloved, flee from idolatry.
Simply by
not doing things God’s way, we are in fact choosing our own way and that is a
very serious sin. There are many professors who claim to know Christ but when
their spiritual fruit is inspected, there is no life of repentance, there is
no life of submission, and there is no life of obedience. 1Sa 15:22 Samuel said, "Has the LORD as much delight
in burnt offerings and sacrifices As in obeying the voice of the LORD?
Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice… Say dear friend, where do you
stand this day? Are you caught in idolatry? God desires repentance. God
really does desire to bless, but only to those who obey. DM
Saturday, May 22
Murmuring Against
God is Both Foolish and Wicked
Isaiah 45:9-11
Men are
apt to think of themselves as wiser than God in certain circumstances and in
so doing they were murmuring against God. The classic illustration is found
in Moses’ leadership and refusing to obey God when the Israelites were in the
wilderness, after leaving Egypt. If the LORD make a new thing,
and the earth open her mouth, and swallow them up, with all that appertain
unto them, and they go down quick into the pit; then ye shall understand that
these men have provoked the LORD. And it came to pass, as he had made an end
of speaking all these words, that the ground clave asunder that was under
them: And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up, and their
houses, and all the men that appertained unto Korah, and all their goods. Num.
16:30-32.
Many is the person who has set out to destroy a minister or a
church and has met with an untimely death. In the ministry, we speak of these
people as a Diotrephes, III John 9-10. I wrote unto the church: but
Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not. 10Wherefore,
if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with
malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive
the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the
church.
The
second admonition: is of the potter and the pot. It is not for the piece of
pottery to ask why or complain. Remember, we are made of the dust of the
earth, or to say it another way, we all have feet of clay. Look these up and
read Job 10:9 and 13:12. Murmuring is rebellion against God and wicked,
therefore, it is the greatest ingratitude, because God is our great
Benefactor to whom we owe everything. It is also selfish and prideful. When
we complain about things God has given us, we are expressing that we feel we
didn’t get enough. Never ask God’s blessing on your food and then complain
about it. Humble yourselves before God and be grateful for every blessing,
even the smallest ones. Remembe,r even your life is
in the hands of God and He can take you any time He wants. RJS
Sunday, May 23
False
Faith - Idols
Isaiah 46
Babylon would be used by God to judge
Judah, but she in turn would be destroyed by God. Her gods, mere idols, would
not be able to save her from defeat… Bel, not to be confused with the
Canaanite Baal, was another name for Marduk (cf. Jer. 50:2), god of the sun.
Nebo, son of Marduk, was the god of learning, writing, and astronomy. Large
images of those gods, carried about on Babylon’s New Year’s Day festival, were heavy and burdensome. So those idols could not help
relieve the Babylonians’ burden. In striking contrast, the God of Israel sustains and carries His people (Isa. 46:3-4).
(1)
When people turn from the true and
living God, they turn to idols. People, as a rule, do not go through life
without direction and purpose. Sadly, in turning from God, they turn to
illusions. When people follow illusions, they find reality hits them in the
face repeatedly. This was true of Israel and it was true of Babylon. However, there was a faithful remnant in Israel that would come to repentance, but Babylon would end. The same is true of individuals. Those
who believe will end right, but those who harden their hearts and turn from
truth will come to spiritual ruin and end.
Unlike the false gods, the true God
can answer peoples’ prayers and save them. (2) There is no reality or substance in an idol. It
is a creation of the mind of man, but salvation is certain in God. We could
never save ourselves, but if we commit ourselves to God in faith and hope, He
will deliver us from death and hell. In Isaiah’s day, this meant destruction
for Babylon and deliverance for a remnant in Israel. The stubborn-hearted and those far from
righteousness were the Babylonians (cf. rebels, v. 8), who would be defeated
by the Persian
Empire. God
would bring against the unrighteous Babylonians His righteousness, that is,
Cyrus, who would carry out God’s righteous will.
This would result in salvation for Zion, deliverance
from exile for Jerusalem, which would mean Israel would again display God’s splendor or glory (cf.
44:23). (3) God is involved in the things of this life in a substantive
and powerful way. He is not an idol, but one who loves and saves His people.
Are you His? DW
(1)
(1) (2) (3) Walvoord, John F., and Zuck, Roy B., The Bible Knowledge
Commentary, (Wheaton, Illinois: Scripture Press Publications, Inc.) 1983, 1985.
Monday, May 24
The
Humiliation of Babylon, A Picture of the World
Isaiah
47
Even though God had to use the country
of Babylon to deal with the rebellious and stubborn hearted
Israelites, He still brought punishment to the Kings and the country of Babylon for their own evil hearts and unrepentant ways. God
used the picture of Babylon as a virgin in the sense of never having been
captured in verses 1 through 3 of our text.
You see, God dealt with Babylon and they sat like a royal virgin in the dust and
experienced complete humiliation. The throne was gone as it had been taken by
Persian power and the empire never recovered from being robbed of its power,
its people, and its name. The former royal virgin is depicted as a slave
woman forced to exchange her royal garments for working clothes. Babylon had been prideful and had mocked the true God by
treating Him with contempt and they frivolously presumed on His Deity.
Interestingly, Babylon did not decay slowly, but they went from being the
wealthy lady, the unconquered virgin, the invincible mother, to the degraded
slave woman in the dust who lost everything including her throne, her
children and her very life and it happened in one night, suddenly and
unexpectedly, when Cyrus and the Persian army entered into the city in Daniel
5:28, 30.
This is a clear picture of how sinners
think that they are safe and there is no one who will bring judgment upon
them and their indulgent lifestyles. Folks, we really need to apply this to
our situations today. We live in an indulgent society. We live in a country
where God and His ways are being replaced by man’s supposed wisdom and by
popular opinion. We are living in these last days where people are outright
rebellious against Godliness and Christianity. Some folks ask the question,
why doesn’t God deal with all these other people? But the real question is
this. Why has not God already dealt with us in our own sin? We are all
sinners and we all deserve damnation. God is a God of love, but He is also a
just God and He MUST punish sin. God has not dealt with us yet as He could
have, because of His grace and His mercy. But these will not last forever and
we cannot presume upon Him. We must repent! That is the only answer. We must
repent and turn and cry out in humble anguish, Lord Jesus, Save Me, a sinner.
God will have mercy on those who will turn to Him. Where do you stand in
God’s court? DM
Tuesday, May 25
Looking
back to find the Future
Isaiah 48:1-11
History
repeats itself! It’s wise to know what God has done in the past to bring
people to Himself and He will do the same in the future. Jehovah has, in
times past, predicted events by His prophets. Today, He reveals His will
through the Scriptures and the ministry of the Holy Spirit, I Peter 1:10-12.
The Prophet’s of the Old Testament were but a mouthpiece for the Lord, to the
people. The predictions soon forgotten or ignored and the fulfillment was
delayed, but today we are seeing many of these O. T. prophecies come to
fruition. God promised destruction, but His people ignored the warnings. When
they least expect something to happen is when it happens. We meet people who
say “God has given me a revelation and this will happen on a certain day.” We
recall a man of the 19th century, who was predicting the church’s
rapture on a certain day. It did not happen and he went back to his
calculations and changed the date to the next year. He was the founder of the
“Millerites,” known today as the Seventh Day Adventists.
God
does not reveal all that He knows to humans, only enough for them to absorb
at one time, with more to follow. This is what we call “progressive
revelation.” A simple illustration is found in our text from Isaiah. They had
heard of the captivity in Babylon, but they did not know that God had already made a
way for their return to the Promised Land through a heathen king, named
Cyrus. What is amazing to me is that after fifty years of study in the Bible,
God reveals new things to me every time I read it, a whole book or short
passage. Each of these new understandings, prove that God is the author of
the Bible and used His Prophets and Apostles to enlighten the heart and mind
today. It is interesting that in verses 3, 5 - 8 God gives proof of His
foreknowledge and reveals that He is unquestionably the only true and living
God. All around us we see the reality of His unquestionable authority; the
universe and all nature are the products of His speaking or His hands. And to
top that, no other god can guarantee salvation. Rom. 10:13, whosoever shall
call upon the Name of the Lord, shall be saved. That means all of us. RJS
Wednesday, May 26
Servants of God
Isaiah 49
God is
beyond our comprehension. He knows the beginning from the end, and because He
does, His purpose for His people in time and space begins with life itself.
We read in verse 1, the LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels
of my mother hath he made mention of my name. 2And he hath made my
mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of his hand hath he hid me, and made
me a polished shaft; in his quiver hath he hid me; 3And said unto
me, Thou art my servant, O Israel, in whom I will be glorified. I don’t
see how those who believe can read texts like this and not realize that life
is sacred from conception. Why is the Servant here
called Israel? This
cannot refer to the nation because the Servant is to draw that nation back to
God. The Messiah is called |
