Month: July 2025

Maybe you can still remember that very old TV show, “Father Knows Best.” So in this Scripture, Isaiah is gently reminding us that it still holds true today…our Heavenly Father really does know what’s best for us. That’s because He is our Deliverer and Protector… His holiness is sacred and distinct…His awe-inspiring splendor is unique only to Him. And when He instructs and trains us, it’s always in truth, for He is the Source of all Truth. Now, His best for us may not be our first choice in actions and behaviors we want to do…but if we allow God to direct our journey in life, we can be sure He will guide us in all righteousness.

The Sabbatical principle is grounded in creation and integral to the abiding moral Law (Exodus 20:8-11). This day of rest was given to man for rejuvenation and worship (Exodus 23:12 & Deuteronomy 5:14), not for man to impose mountains of legalistic restrictions. Thus in these verses, Jesus explains that as Master of the Sabbath, He alone is the Mediator of these Laws…not man.

Originally found in Leviticus 19:18, mankind over the ages has tried to qualify just who a neighbor is and who is not. In Luke 10:29, an expert of the Law attempted to split hairs with Jesus when he asked Him, “Who is my neighbor?” But Jesus made it quite plain…it’s anyone in close proximity to us that we should be concerned with, regardless of whether or not there are mutual ties of kindred or nation. So that pretty much takes down all barriers of race, creed, or color. Therefore, when we see someone that needs help…we need to help. And in doing so, we’re fulfilling the Scripture to, “Love our neighbor.”

For every Believer, this quote from Spurgeon should be our sincere aspiration, aim in life, and ever present goal before us. We need to walk with God (Micah 6:8), not running ahead, not lagging behind, but rather walking side by side in the middle of His Will. We need to have fellowship with God (I John 1:3), by being in His Word daily. We need to abide in Him (John 15:4), and He in us. We need to remember daily that we are deeply loved by Him (Deuteronomy 33:12). Finally, we must continually strive to become more and more like Him every day. (Romans 8:29 & Philippians 3:21)

Paul’s ministry was to the Gentiles…proclaiming the Gospel Message and leading them into the saving grace of eternal Salvation. He saw his preaching as a means by which the Gentiles could be brought into the family of God. Thus, he was proud and joyful of his work as he faithfully served God. For he truly believed that it was God’s vision, plan and purpose for him to reach the Gentiles for Christ… Who was the fulfillment of God’s promises to both the Jews and the Gentiles.

When this was written, it was a period of the judges, when sin abounded, (Judges 21:25) idol worship was common, and the Word of the Lord was rare. (I Samuel 3:1) But this verse could also easily serve as a warning then and now concerning the impending judgment due to our disobedience. Amos’s message to the people came during a time of great prosperity…and yet, they were spiritually barren, with lives filled with activities and desires that catered to their selfish needs only. Sound kind of familiar? The people had abandoned the things of God, which led them to deny His Divine communication, intimate fellowship, and steadfast guidance…and instead, went seeking after guilty pleasures and immediate gratification.

In this Scripture, Jeremiah’s lament is reflecting his deep emotional and spiritual turmoil as he witnesses the suffering of his people. Another translation says, “My joy is gone; grief is upon me; my heart is faint within me.” In the Jewish culture of that time, dancing was the outward manifestation of joy in the same way that mourning was the outward manifestation of grief. We all grieve differently, but we must also remember that it’s okay to grieve. That’s because God is close to the brokenhearted, and though the journey may be hard, we must trust that God will carry us through it all…one day at a time.

This Psalm of David’s is a lament of requests due to physical suffering and spiritual distress. He is desperately seeking relief from the only One Who is willing and able to supply it without contempt. Even though David feels like God has turned His back on him…he knows that the Lord’s steadfast love, devotion, and Presence has never really departed from him. Thus, David can confidently trust in the Lord’s gracious kindness and mercy.

This promise of God’s is graciously provided to us by our faith in Jesus Christ as a Believer. The Law of Moses cannot save, for it’s only God’s righteousness that can bring Salvation, “apart from the Law.” Even Jesus testified to this in Matthew 5:17, when He said, “I have not come to abolish the Law, but to fulfill it.” Thus, the Gospel Message isn’t contrary to the Law, but upholds it through the obedience of Christ on our behalf. And so for our part, it all comes down to trust and reliance in Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord.

Verses 5-7 of this Chapter in Isaiah promise restoration, renewal, and healing…of baroness transforming into fruitfulness with God’s vision. Now this vision for us is real, but not yet real in us. And be sure, Satan will come to sow seeds of doubt and fear, making us dubious to even try. But know that when God gives you a vision, yes, you will find yourself in the valley…but it’s by God’s design in order to batter you into the shape of that vision. And He will keep it up until He can trust you with the reality of the vision…and suddenly, what once seemed unattainable will fall seamlessly in to place as you trust Him. For it’s only by the power of God that He can bring light, freedom, and joy into your present suffering and darkness.