All of humanity was lost…floundering in a sea of sin…sinking to never rise again. When a baby was brought forth…God bestowing this precious gift on all. For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only son – Jesus Christ – to bridge the chasm between God and man…and bring eternal life to a dying world.
Tag: isaiah
Isaiah 26:12 ” Lord, You establish peace for us; all that we have accomplished You have done for us.”
Make no mistake about it…as a Believer, the deep sense of well-being you feel today has been brought about by a loving and merciful Heavenly Father. And the next time before you pat yourself on the back for the great achievement you’ve just done…remember, that it’s only through Him that you’ve realized this success.
Isaiah 1: 19-20 ” If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best from the land; but if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword. For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”
Yielding our will to God is not easy…for compliance never comes without internal struggle. But if we listen to Him…understanding that it’s for our own good that He’s directing us that way…and then obey the message we’ve heard…God will work all things out for our good. Along this same line, Job 36:11 says, “If they obey and serve Him, they will spend the rest of their days in prosperity and their years in contentment.” Simple obedience…sometimes hard to do, but oh so beneficial.
Isaiah 43: 12-13 ” I have revealed and saved and proclaimed – I, and not some foreign god among you. You are My witnesses, declares the Lord, that I am God. Yes, and from ancient days I am He. No one can deliver out of My hand. When I act, who can reverse it? “
When God moves, no thing or person can change the outcome He has in mind. His sovereignty and power is ever evident as He works miracles…both on the grand scale, and little blessings only known by the recipient. But the most important part of this verse is the concept that God’s work can never be snatched away or revoked… for the Lord is ever in complete control.
Isaiah 57: 14-15 ” And it will be said: ‘Build up, build up, prepare the road! Remove the obstacles out of the way of My people.’ For this is what the high and lofty One says – He who lives forever, whose name is holy: ‘I live in a high and holy place, but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.’ “
A refreshing is coming. A time of spiritual edification and uplifting for all Believers. God will send a new wind of change…to restore and strengthen the broken and discouraged. He will breathe new life into old places…and fresh vision into tired and apathetic souls. As Oswald Chambers once said, ” Beware of paying attention or going back to what you once were, when God wants you to be something that you have never been .” A new wind is coming…a time of refreshing is upon us.
Mark 10:32 ” They were on their way up to Jerusalem, with Jesus leading the way…”
Jesus had been predicting His death to His Disciples… and they were fearful of traveling to Jerusalem for what they saw as imminent death of their beloved Leader. Jesus didn’t shrink back or go into hiding…rather He had set off resolutely on the road to Jerusalem knowing full well what awaited Him. Isaiah prophesied of this in 50:7, “…therefore I have set My face like flint…” Jesus lead the way, going before the twelve Disciples…completely in control of the situation…not controlled by it.
Isaiah 50:4 ” He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being taught.”
Wake us O Lord. We have walked so far from You that many no longer hear Your voice. We are an apathetic and disengaged people…thinking someone else will kindle the fire within us. Our spiritual lethargy squelches our passion and excitement to read Your Word and obey. Lord, stir Your people…let us shake off our indifference and give you our undivided attention. Wake us up O Lord.
Isaiah 2:22 ” Stop trusting in man, who has but a breath in his nostrils. Of what account is he?”
Psalm 146:3 states it another way, “Don’t put your trust in mortal men.” We are all mere human creatures…here today and gone tomorrow. None of us are that important or warrant historic distinction to be remembered thousands of years from now…so putting your belief in man is worthless, for it’s only God that can be fully trusted with your life.