Isaiah 31  May we be encouraged by the words of the psalmist..." I will thank you, Adonai, among the peoples; I will make music to you among the nations. For your grace is great, above the heaven, and your truth, all the way to the skies." ( Psalm 108:3-4)  

Our God is worthy of every praise and every song we sing!  Think of the vastness of the heavens... and know that His grace is even greater.  Be thankful that His truth - HIS TRUTH - reaches everywhere we can see.. to the skies! 

 Remember Isaiah 26:3-4 . "The steadfast of mind Thou wilt keep in perfect peace, because he trusts in Thee."  Keep leaning on and thinking of Jesus, remembering His faithfulness, the greatness of His grace and the expanse of His Truth. Trust in God, for He alone is trustworthy. 

Isaiah told the people of Judah, "Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, and rely on horses, and trust in chariots.. but they do not look to the Holy One of Israel, nor seek the Lord!" (31:1)  He goes on to say, "Now the Egyptians are men, and not God, and their horses are flesh and not spirit.."  They were more willing to trust in their former enemies.. than to trust in the God who had delivered them! 

Like Judah, we must not look for help from anyone or anything.. except the Lord, our great God, whom we can trust.  We can only have peace from trusting in Him. We can only have victory in Him. We can fully rest in His grace and truth.  "Help us.. for human help is worthless.. " the psalmist wrote. "With God's help we will fight valiantly, for He will trample our enemies." ( Psalm 108:12-13)  David wrote this psalm, feeling that God had rejected them.. but trusting anyway.. knowing that without Him there would never be victory over the enemy.

Who or what is our enemy?  Of course, Satan is, for he is the evil one.. he is a liar, he is an accuser, and he is a deceiver. Unfortunately, we are also deceived by the world, by our own sinful nature, and even sometimes by those who call themselves believers. Like Judah, our God calls us to throw away every idol, everything that we trust in besides Him.. and to return to Him fully. He alone is worthy of our trust.

Father in heaven, help us.. rescue us, whom you love, from the evil one and from all who lie and deceive. Keep us steadfast in You. You are worthy of all of our trust. Be exalted as Your Light shines over all the earth. Let Your light shine in us as we trust in You.  May we walk in truth and grace though Jesus Christ our Lord and King. In His name we pray. Amen. 

 Isaiah 30:18-33  

I read from a devotional book by Andrew Murray/ Bruce Wilkinson  this morning called "Daily in His Presence" .. about God's promise revealed in Jeremiah 31:33 "This is the covenant I will make.. I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts."  The emphasis is on the fact that Jesus is the Mediator of this new covenant.. this promise, which God Himself will do.... so that we won't depart from Him.. so that by the Holy Spirit in us we will have the desire and the power to do God's will.  It struck me again that this covenant is for ALL who desire and seek Him.. it is for me.   God has contracted Himself to do this work in me.. and in you. This is His covenant.. a compact, a contract, that by His power He will fulfill. 

Then, as it is my practice to read a psalm... I read Psalm 107. This is a psalm of thanksgiving. Each section begins with words of thanksgiving.. "Let them give thanks to Adonai for His grace, for his wonders bestowed on humanity." ( v8,15. 21.and  31 CJB)  Each section speaks of how God redeemed and rescued His people when they cried to Him. 

v1-7  The people were wandering, they were hungry and thirsty.. "In their trouble they cried to Adonai and he rescued them from their distress."

v8-14 The people were in darkness and misery because of their rebellion against God's word.  He humbled them "by hard labor".  Again they cried out to him and He rescued them. " He led them from darkness, from death-dark gloom, shattering their chains." 

v15-20 The people were foolish and were afflicted because of their own sins.  They were near death, but when they cried out to the Lord, He rescued them.. "he sent his word and healed them, he delivered them from destruction." 

v21-30 These people were on a ship.. doing business... when a terrible storm came up. The most seasoned sailors lost courage, reeling and staggering, and all their skill could not save them.  But, when they cried out to the Lord, He rescued them. " He silenced the storm and stilled its waves." 

v31-43 This section extols the omnipotence  and the sovereignty of God - "He turns rivers into desert, flowing springs into thirsty ground.. because the people are wicked. But he also turns desert into pools of water, dry land into flowing springs; there he give the hungry a home.. " 

The Lord blesses those who will call on Him, but He will allow the wicked to face the consequences of their sin.  "When the upright see this, they rejoice; while the wicked are reduced to silence."

"Let whoever is wise observe these things and consider Adonai's loving deeds."

Then I read Isaiah 30:18:" The Lord would rescue Judah when they cried out to Him. "He will surely be gracious to you at the sound of your cry; when He hears it, He will answer you."  They would see Him.  They would hear Him. ( v20-21)  They would destroy their idols. They would sow seed and grow food. They would have "streams running with water." They would have light. ".. on the day the Lord binds up the fracture of His people and heals the bruise He has inflicted."  The Lord would again be their Rock. He would fight for them. He would fulfill His covenant with them.. and they will walk in His ways, with the commandments written on their hearts and in their minds. 

And He will fulfill His covenant with us. 

Father, there is nothing that You will not do to rescue Your people when they cry to You, for Your grace "continues forever"! You will rescue us from our wandering, gathering us to Yourself.  You direct us in Your paths.. to the city You are preparing for us.  You satisfy our hunger and thirst.  You shatter our prison doors.  You heal our brokenness.  You still the storms and calm the waves.  You turn deserts into springs of living water. We have seen Your hand at work. We have heard Your voice telling us the way to go.  We extol You and give praise to Your holy name. Thank You, for You are good and Your grace continues forever.  We thank You for Jesus Christ, the Mediator of the covenant and in His name we pray. Amen. 

 Isaiah 30    Are we- the United States of America.. like Judah ".. rebellious children... " ?  Verses 1-14 describe Judah in this way.  "For this is a rebellious people, false sons, sons who refuse to listen to the instruction of the Lord." (v9)

The Lord charges them with making their own plans instead of His. v1 - guilty

The made alliances that were "not of [His] Spirit". - guilty

They added sin to sin.  - guilty

They acted without consulting the Lord. - guilty

They sought shelter  in others.... which was to their shame. - guilty

They looked for help from those "who are not a help or profit." v5 - guilty

They refused to listen to Truth but ordered the prophets to speak what was pleasant to their ears.-guilty 

They rejected the Word. -guilty

They trusted in "oppression and guile". v12 - guilty

And because of this continual rebellion, the Lord would bring a "collapse... suddenly in an instant". 

Our country is certainly guilty of all the sins listed above. The warning is clear. The consequences are certain.  Our only hope is in the "Lord God, the Holy One of Israel." 

He says, "In repentance and rest you shall be saved, in quietness and trust is your strength."  Israel was not willing... are we?

".. The Lord longs to be gracious to you, and therefore He waits on high to have compassion on you. The Lord is a God of justice; How blessed are all those who long for Him." ( v18)

Father in heaven, Your lovingkindness is infinite and Your mercies are new every morning.  You continue to rescue us, even when we don't deserve it. You continue to stretch out Your hand in grace to those who will call upon You. Thank You for being so good.  Yet, Lord, we know that our country is on the verge of collapse because of her rebellion and rejection of Your Word.  Please stop those who are adding more sin to the sins they have already championed.  Bring repentance and revival by Your Word. You are a God of justice and we trust You to complete Your plans for us. We know that the wicked will be removed one day. We pray for many more to come to Jesus and find rest in Him. Bring glory to His Precious Name we pray. Amen. 

 Isaiah 27-29  Over and over, the message is repeated.. because of their sins against the Lord, Israel would be taken captive and Judah would go into exile.  The Word of God is so clear - Sin brings destruction. 

But, over and over again there is also a invitation given - repent and be forgiven; turn back to the Lord and be rescued. ( Lord, help us!)

Like Israel, we all face the same choice.  Like Israel, we lack discernment.( 27:11) Like Israel, people are confused, reeling from "wine and staggering from strong drink.." ( 28:7) Unable to hear.. unable to see... like Israel, we do not know the Word of God.. we can't even open the Book!( 29:11-12)

 The Lord says..  "Because this people draw near with their words and honor Me with their lip service, but they remove their hearts far from Me... I will once again deal marvelously with this people." (29:13-14)  Like Israel, we think the Lord does not see what we try to hide (v15). Like Israel, we try to tell the Potter that He did not make us and has no authority over us. (v16)

Just turn on the tv.. watch the news.. or any show at all... and see that America is in trouble... just as Israel was..  There is no discernment. There is way too much drunkenness and immorality.  If any mention of God's Word is given, it is perverted and taken out of context. People live as if God can't see or doesn't care how they live. People call themselves "christians", but have no idea what that really means. 

And in spite of all of this.. Jesus came.  In spite of this, Adonai spoke these words through Isaiah. "And on that day the deaf shall hear words of a book, and out of their gloom and darkness the eyes of the blind shall see. the afflicted also shall increase their gladness in the Lord, and the needy of mankind shall rejoice in the Holy One of Israel." ( 29:18-19) 

That day is coming. We will see Him and rejoice in Him forever more. Thank You Lord, for salvation in Christ Jesus our Lord. 

Father, You are good. You are kind. You are patient. In spite of our sins, You have brought us to Yourself, that You might sanctify us to Yourself.  Thank You Lord! Father, grant discernment to the ignorant. Grant wisdom to the foolish. Grant repentance to the lost. Open eyes and ears even now.. to hear Your word and receive the salvation that Christ provides. We live in a lost and dying land and we see the warnings You have given, Lord.  Please let Your Word run rapidly and freely across our land again.. before it is too late.  We ask this in the Name of Jesus Christ the Lord. Amen. 

 Isaiah 26 is another song, to be sung "in the land of Judah".   It is a song about God's protection and provision.   It is a song that reminds us that only in the Lord will we find true life.  It reminds us that, in the end, all wickedness will be uncovered and punished. And, that there is nothing we can do on our own to save us - it is all in the Hands of the Lord who brings the dead to life. 

Several verses stand out:

 "A person whose desire rests on you, you preserve in perfect peace, because he trusts in You. Trust in Adonai forever, because in Yah Adonai is a Rock of Ages." ( v3-4 CJB)  The NASB translates that as "the one who remains faithful.. the steadfast of mind Thou wilt keep in perfect peace.. " But, we are most familiar with the King James version.. "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee; because he trusteth in thee. " 

Are our minds -steadfast.. "stayed" on our God? -  The Hebrew word used here is 'camas' - to prop, lean upon, take hold of..  we "lean on" or "rest" on Him.. the One we trust - the One we run to for refuge, the One we are boldly confident in.. the One who we hope in.. the One who is our Rock. 

When we learn to truly do this.. we find "perfect peace".  Peace - shalom - is far more than just a comfortable feeling of serenity - it encompasses well being... safety, happiness, health, prosperity, favor, wholeness. We find that abundant life that Jesus came to bring us. 

In verse 12 Isaiah states, "Lord, Thou wilt establish peace for us, since Thou has also performed for us all our works. " The CJB says.. "because all we have done, you have done for us..."  Only because of His grace.. His power.. His wisdom.. His actions on our behalf.. can we have life. Only because of what He has done, can we "learn righteousness".  Only through His grace can we "perceive the majesty of the Lord." 

Isaiah inserts a prayer in verse 7.. "The way of the righteous is smooth; O Upright One, make the path of the righteous level."  It is a prayer that He would lead us in "paths of righteousness, for His name's sake."  ...That we might learn to wait for Him. .. That He would be the desire of our souls. That we would long for Him.. and seek Him diligently. ( v8-9)

Father in heaven, You are the One who works all things in us and for us.  "...You are very great; you are clothed with glory and majesty, wrapped in light as with a robe." ( Psalm 104:1) We bless You Lord. We are reminded by the psalmist of how You created everything.. for Your purposes; how You provide for every creature and satisfy each one with Your provisions. "In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of Your creations." You alone are God and we can rest.. stay our minds.. lean our whole selves.. confidently on You, for You are completely trustworthy!   In You we can and will find "perfect peace". Accomplish Your will in us today. Thank You!   Plant Your words  in our minds and hearts today we pray, in Jesus' name. Amen. 

 Isaiah 25  Isaiah pauses... to sing..."Adonai, you are my God. I exalt You, I praise Your name. For You have accomplished marvels, [fulfilled] ancient plans faithfully and truly." ( v1 CJB)

All that God planned, He fulfilled. All that He has planned for the future.. He will complete.  Isaiah gives praise to Adonai, extolling His greatness.. Reminding us that He is  a ".. defense for the helpless.. the needy.."    and a  ".. a refuge from the storm, a shade from the heat.." He is a good, good God!

He subdues the ruthless and silences the uproar of nations. Then and now.. and in the days to come..

He has planned a "lavish banquet for all peoples on this mountain.."  Isaiah proclaims.  He will "swallow up death for all time. And the Lord God will wipe tears away from all faces; And He will remove the reproach of His people from all the earth;" 

The Word of the Lord will be accomplished according to His perfect plan.  We wait for that day. 

" On that day we will say, See! This is our God! We waited for him to save us. This is Adonai; we put our hope in Him. we are full of joy, so glad He saved us!" (v9 CJB) 

Father in heaven, we bless Your holy name. May Your kingdom come and Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.  Adonai, we wait for the day when we will see all of Your Word fulfilled.  But for now, we think of Your greatness..  help us to ..."forget none of [Your] benefits". (Psalm 103)  You forgive our offenses.  You heal our diseases. You redeem us from the pit. You surround us with grace and compassion.  You give us what is good.  You are merciful and compassionate. You have compassion on us, as a father does his children.  You know our weaknesses.  You understand our frailty.  You are  our King on High, with all power, all knowledge and wisdom, and You reign forever.  Keep us in Your merciful Hands.  May we honor and fear You and give You all praise and thanksgiving.  In the name of Jesus we come before You and ask that You help us to remain faithful and continually trust in You until that wonderful day.. Amen. 

 Isaiah 21-24 These chapters are not easy.. nation after nation is judged because of their sinfulness. Even Isaiah calls it a "harsh vision".   Nation after nation is accused.. "The treacherous one still deals treacherously, and the destroyer still destroys.. "

 In the "valley of vision" Isaiah mourns the fall of Judah.. The rulers had fled. The people were without help.  The Lord removed "the defense of Judah".   The weapons that they depended on  could not protect  these sinful, rebellious people from the judgements of God.  They refused to call on Him, consider Him, or obey Him... therefore He ".. called [them] to weeping, to wailing, to shaving the head and to wearing sackcloth.. " 

Every nation then faced the judgement and punishment of God.  And He has not changed His plans.. "The Lord of hosts has planned it to defile the pride of all beauty."  Every proud and arrogant nation will find themselves like Tyre.. trembling as the hand of God is stretched out against them. Even us. 

 Chapter 24 is the culmination of all judgements.. as the Lord reveals the final days.. 

"Behold, the Lord lays the earth to waste, devastates it, distorts its surface, and scatters it inhabitants. And the people will like the priest, the servant like his master, the maid like her mistress, the buyer like the seller, the lender like the borrower, the creditor like the debtor.  The earth will be completely laid waste and completely despoiled, for the Lord has spoken this word. The earth mourns and withers, the world fades and withers, the exalted of the people of the earth fade away. The earth is also polluted by its inhabitants, for they transgressed the law, violated statutes, broke the everlasting covenant. Therefore a curse devours the earth and those who live in it are held guilty." ( 24:1-6) 

The earth will be broken, Isaiah writes.  It will be split, shaken, and will fall "never to rise again."  And then.. ".. the Lord of hosts will reign on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem, and His glory will be before His elders" ( the rulers of His people). 

Many people in this world worry about pollution.  But, it is the wrong kind of pollution that takes their attention and becomes their cause..  The earth will be destroyed.. but not because of fossil fuels or global warming.  The earth will be destroyed because of sin.  God has declared His plan. He has made it abundantly clear that all sin will be judged.. and the verdict is just.. " For the wages of sin is death."   (Romans 6:23)

But, hallelujah, He has also shown us grace.. "but, the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."  When the earth splits apart....When the world is broken to pieces.. God will still be on His throne. And all who have come to trust in Jesus Christ the Lord who "reconciled" us to God through His death.. "we shall be saved by His life."  ( Romans 5:10) 

Father in heaven, we raise our voices in praise and thanksgiving for the Lamb of God, who was slain. Who was "displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith."  He paid for my sin. He justified me, demonstrating His love while I was still a sinner.  Thank You.  Lord may we continue to call upon You, rely on You, trust You, worship You, and live by the power of Your Spirit who lives in us, all who are followers of Christ Jesus.  When that Day comes.. let us still be standing on the Rock of our Salvation.. even as the earth fades away. O Lord, may the nations come to fear You and see Your glory! May many more people come to faith in the One who justifies and reconciles us with the Lord of Hosts. We ask this in His precious name. Amen. 

 Isaiah 17-20  Israel had teamed up with Aram to try to defeat Assyria.  This "oracle" reveals that both Aram and Israel would be defeated.  Assyria would take them captive and plunder their land.  This would happen because they had "forgotten the God of [their] salvation.. "  The remnant left would be very few. 

The Lord also spoke of Ethiopia ( Cush) and Egypt.. the nations that Judah was looking to.. for help from the coming threats of Assyria.  Both of these nations would also fall.   But.. a day was.. is coming.. and the Lord, speaking through Isaiah, proclaims that His purposes would be fulfilled.

 "...The Lord will make Himself known to Egypt and the Egyptians will know the Lord in that day.."

"In that day Israel will be the third party with Egypt and Assyria, a blessing in the midst of the earth, whom the Lord of hosts has blessed saying, 'Blessed is Egypt my people, and Assyria the work of My hands, and Israel my inheritance." ( 19:25) 

From a time when nations fought against each other, abused one another, and conquered one another -to a day when the enemies of the past will become "blessings" of the Lord, worshiping together...  this is what God Himself has planned and He will fulfill His purposes. 

We live in a world today where nations still fight, still hate, still plot against each other.  We can learn something from Isaiah's messages.  It will not be an alliance of nations that will bring peace.  It will not be idols or wise men.. or anything else that will solve the global issues or famine, disease, or war.... or sin.   God alone can save.  He has sent "a Savior and a Champion.."  He will make Himself known.  He will bring healing.  He will bring His people into a new world where His blessings will flow. 

In that day.. there will be no more wars, no more suffering, and no more sin.  O come Lord Jesus, come!

Father in heaven,  You are the God of grace and justice.  Your ways are perfect and You plans are being fulfilled.  We look to the mountain of God to see Your standard raised. We listen for the sound of Your trumpet.  We wait with thankful hearts, that Jesus our Lord is coming back again. Father, there are many people who still need to turn back to You.  Open their eyes to see the warning signs.. the works of Your hands.. and the fulfillment of Your Word.  May they turn back to You that they might be Your people, the work of Your hands, and Your inheritance.  We ask this in the name of Jesus, our Savior and Champion. Amen. 

 Isaiah 14-16   These chapters contain the judgements against Babylon, Assyria, Philistia and Moab.  14:24 says this, "The Lord of hosts has sworn saying, ' Surely just as I have intended so it has happened, and just as I have planned so it will stand... "  The Lord stretched out His hand " against all the nations". 

The king of Babylon would fall.  He would even be "cast out of" his own tomb.  Because of his pride and arrogance, he would be "thrust down to Sheol".  The description given in verses 12-15 are sometimes thought to describe the fall of Satan, " How you have fallen from heaven, O star of the morning, son of the dawn! You have been cut down to the earth, You who have weakened nations! But you said in your heart, 'I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God, and I will sit on the mount of the assembly.. I will make myself like the Most High.."  

This declaration may describe Satan, but it also describes every man who refuses to bow before the Lord.   The lie that Satan spoke to Eve in the garden - "For God knows that in the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God.. "  is the same lie he whispered to the king of Babylon.. and to every one of us who wants to rule our own lives.. sitting on the throne of our own making and refusing to bow before the True King. 

And like Satan.. and like the king of Babylon.. everyone who tries to rise above God.. will fall.  The Lord has sworn that this will happen and it will. 

Assyria was trampled. 

Philistia was melted away. 

Moab was devastated.

It all came to pass just as the Lord said.  But again, the Lord sends a ray of light - "A throne will even be established in lovingkindness, and a judge will sit on it in faithfulness in the tent of David; moreover he will seek justice and be prompt in righteousness."  When all is said and done.. Jesus will reign forever!

Father, it is good that we are reminded of these things.. that all wickedness will be judged and punished.. as You have sworn in Your Word.  You have planned and will complete Your perfect will.. in every nation and in every life.  What we see and experience in the world today is not kept from Your attention.  You see those who are arrogant and full of pride.  You see the intentions of their hearts. Of all of our hearts. We are reminded by these truths that we must look to Jesus Christ, the only Way, Truth, and Life, to rescue us from sin and death and hell.  It is Jesus who is our King, whom we serve.  Father, we know that we have hope in Christ alone. Thank You for such grace, that we might be made whole through His blood shed for us. We shout for joy, for You Adonai, are great! We will serve You with gladness. We will enter Your presence with singing. We know that You are God and that we are Your people.  You are good and Your faithfulness is eternal. Hallelujah! Amen. 

 Isaiah 13  The next revelation that Isaiah receives is devastating.  "The Lord of hosts is mustering the army for battle."  He calls them His "mighty warriors" who will "execute [His] anger".  The day of reckoning approached Judah and Isaiah speaks this warning.. 

"Wail, for the day of the Lord is near!

It will come as destruction from the Almighty!

Therefore all hands will fall limp,

                                                    And every man's heart will melt. 

And they will be terrified,

Pains and anguish will take hold of them,

They will writhe like a woman in labor,

They will look at one another in astonishment,

Their faces aflame. 

Behold the day of the Lord is coming, 

Cruel, with fury and burning anger, 

To make the land a desolation;

And He will exterminate its sinners from it.

For the stars of heaven and their constellations will not flash their light;

The sun will be dark when it rises,

and the moon will not shed its light.

Thus I will punish the world for its evil,

and the wicked for their iniquity;

I will also put an end to the arrogance of the proud,

and abase the haughtiness of the ruthless." (v6-11)

This warning goes beyond the future of Judah.  Yes, Judah will fall to Babylon.  Yes, Babylon will fall to the Medes.  Punishment for sin will fall on both these nations.. and on every nation that fails to turn to God in repentance.  Every nation and every individual person.. unless they have trusted in salvation through Jesus Christ, who alone can rescue us from the wrath to come.  

There is an appointed time that God has allotted for us to heed His Word, pay attention to His warnings, and turn away from sin.  We have every opportunity now, to receive His mercy, for He is "forgiving God" ( Psalm 99:8)  

Adonai, You are King. You sit on Your throne, high above all peoples and nations.  You are great and fearsome.  You have established "fairness, justice, and righteousness" and we have failed to obey..  We exalt You, bowing before You with fear and trembling.  Let the world shake.. truly recognizing You alone are God and You will punish the nations for its evil and the wicked for their sins.  Only by Your grace are we saved, through faith in Jesus Christ our Lord.  Father, send more workers into the harvest fields, that many more sinners would receive the salvation that comes only through Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, who came to seek and save the lost.  Thank You for moving in hearts and lives today. Thank You for being a God of Truth and Justice and Mercy.  We praise Your name. Lead us in Your paths today we pray, amen. 

 Isaiah 11:11 - 12:6   There is a time when Israel will be restored once again.  After the exile to Babylon, Israel returned to her land.  But, that did not last.  Then again, in more recent times, Israel once again became a nation.  Yet, she is not all that God intends her to be.  Isaiah describes a day when all the remnant will return.. "from the four corners of the earth." 

"Then you will say on that day, 'I will give thanks to Thee, O Lord; for though Thou wast angry with me, Thine anger is turned away, and Thou dost comfort me." (12:1)

Because of God's love and grace we can also sing this song of praise to God who is our salvation. " I will trust and not be afraid; For the Lord God is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation." 

Isaiah exhorts us to;

Give thanks.

Call on His name.

Make known His deeds.

Make people remember "that His name is exalted." 

"Praise the Lord in song..."  telling of the "excellent things" He has done.

"Cry aloud and shout for joy."

Let us worship the Lord, the "Holy One" who is in our midst. 

Father in heaven, how excellent is Your Name in all the earth!  We are thankful for the things that You have done. You sent Your Beloved Son to purchase our salvation!  You have given us Your Spirit so that we might have new life in Jesus. You have delivered us from the power of sin and death and hell.  You have loved us with an everlasting, unfailing, perfect love.  You have indeed done excellent things! You have not only looked upon us.. each and every one of us individually.. but You have known every nation, through all the ages.. and have called out for Yourself a remnant who will live with You for eternity. From the beginning of creation until the end of this age.. Your plan will be perfectly completed. You will be exalted. Jesus will be glorified. And we will be complete.  Your thoughts are so far above our thoughts and Your ways so much higher than anything we can think or imagine. Help us to keep our eyes on these truths.. to trust You fully.. and to continually give thanks as we proclaim Your excellencies to the world around us. Sanctify us through and through, so that we might stand blameless and unashamed on that day. We ask this in the name of Jesus, our Savior and Lord, who lives in us..  Amen. 

 Isaiah 11 So thankful for these words!  In the darkest of times, with exile and destruction right outside their doors.. the Lord once again revealed His glory to His people.  And we also rejoice at His precious gift!

"Then a shoot will spring from the stem of Jesse.. " 

The son of David.. the Son of God has come!  "And the Spirit of the Lord will rest on Him.."  Jesus was baptized by John who testified.. "I have beheld the Spirit descending as a dove out of heaven, and He remained on Him.... and I have seen, and have borne witness that this is the Son of God." ( John 1:32,34)

Isaiah writes that the Spirit will be displayed by His;

"wisdom and understanding"

"counsel and strength"

"knowledge and the fear of the Lord" 

"And He will delight in the fear of the Lord, and He will not judge by what His eyes see, nor make a decision by what His ears hear; but with righteousness He will judge the poor, and decide with fairness for the afflicted of the earth; and He will strike the earth with the rod of His mouth, and with the breath of His lips He will slay the wicked." 

In His first coming, Jesus fulfilled most of this prophecy. In His second coming He will complete the rest.  In righteousness.. Jesus will judge all those who walk in wickedness. Every one who does not repent and trust in His salvation, finding forgiveness and cleansing in Him... will be slain. 

But, to all who will believe in Him.. we will see His glorious "resting place.  It is a thrilling and amazing  description that we are given here! 

The wolf and the lamb living together.

The leopard and the kid.. laying side by side.

The calf and the lion.. and a little boy.. all playing together. 

The cow and the bear grazing while their offspring rest side by side.  

The lions eating straw, the child playing near the snakes.. 

"They will not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain, for the earth will be full on the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea."

A world as we have never seen before. No death. No war. No fear.  Where Jesus reigns with righteousness and faithfulness. How wonderful it will be!

"Sing to Adonai a new song! Sing to Adonai, all the earth! Sing to Adonai, bless His name! Proclaim His victories day after day! Declare His glory among the nations, his wonders amount all peoples.!" (Psalm 96:1-3) 

Father, You are great and greatly to be praised.  We look forward to the return of Jesus Christ... to come and reign here for 1000 years! We want to be with You, in Your Presence, forever and ever.  This world is a place with too much darkness and too much hurt. May the earth be filled with" the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea!" Come Lord Jesus! Amen. 

 Isaiah 10:1-4  Israel would be punished for their sinful actions - they made evil laws; they pronounced unjust verdicts; they deprived the poor of fair verdicts; they trampled the rights of the poor; they caused harm to the defenseless widows and orphans.  Their punishment would come from the Lord through the army of Assyria. 

v5-19 Assyria would be like an axe or a saw..  in the hand of the Lord, and instrument of His judgement.  Yet Assyria would boast that it was her power, her wisdom, her superiority that brought victory over Israel. And because of this arrogance, the Lord would also punish Assyria.  Its army would be devastated. It would be cut down and destroyed. 

v20-34 The Lord once again provides hope - a promise that a "remnant will return".  A remnant that would "truly rely on the Lord, the Holy One of Israel."   And although Judah was threatened by Assyria, the Lord would not allow Assyria to conquer Judah like it did Israel.  He tells them, ".. do not fear the Assyrian who strikes you with the rod and lifts us his staff against you.. for in a little while My indignation against you will be spent, and My anger will be directed to their destruction." 

We can learn some important lessons from the history of Israel and Judah:

 We learn that God will not tolerate injustice and oppression. 

We learn that God will use whoever or whatever He desires to discipline His people. 

We learn that God in His sovereignty rules over any government.. any nation.. and any army.. and He will do what He desires to bring about His purposes.  

And we learn that God desires people who will truly rely on Him. 

Father in heaven, Holy One of Israel, You are God alone and there is no other. You rule over all the earth. The psalmist wrote.. " For Adonai is a great God, a great king greater than all gods. He holds the depths of the earth in His hands; the mountain peaks too belong to Him. The sea is His - he made it - and His hands shaped the dry land." ( Psalm 95:3-5)  And so we sing Your praise, for You are "the Rock of our salvation."  We come to worship You and bow down before You. You are our God and we are Your people. We rely on You fully, as the sheep relies on its shepherd, we rely on our God who leads us to green pastures and to quiet waters.  Oh may we dwell in Your house forever and ever. Bring us to Yourself that we might find abundant life in Your Presence. Father, we pray for our nation to repent. Bring revival. Change the hearts of those who seek to pass evil laws and who pronounce unjust verdicts. Remove those who choose evil instead of righteousness. Change hard hearts so that they will... today...hear Your voice and turn back to You. We ask this in the name of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen. 

 Isaiah 9:8-21  "The Lord sends a message against Jacob, and it falls on Israel."  There are three judgements, each followed by these words, "In spite of this His anger does not turn away, and His hand is still stretched out." ( v12,17, 21)   The sins of Israel had caught up with them.   After Israel and Judah divided into two separate countries, Israel had 18 kings.. each one evil. Each one more prideful and arrogant than the one before. 

Verses 9-12 describe this arrogance - even when the evidence of God's judgement was right before their eyes.. "the bricks have fallen down.. the sycamores have been cut down.. "  They boasted of rebuilding.  They would come back better, stronger..   But, God was done with giving them any more warnings - He sent the Arameans and the Philistines to "devour Israel with gaping jaws."  And it happened just as He said. 

And even after this.. "the people do not turn back to Him who struck them, nor do they seek the Lord of hosts." 

Verses 14-17 - The judgement of God affects everyone. "So the Lord cuts off head and tail from Israel." The "head is the elder".. the tail is "the prophet who teaches falsehood."  The leaders "who guide this people are leading them astray."  The people who follow these corrupt leaders "are brought to confusion." He says, "..every one of them is godless and an evildoer, and every mouth is speaking foolishness."  Doesn't matter how powerful, rich, famous, or successful you are by the world's standards.. God will judge all who sin and fail to repent or put their faith in Jesus Christ. 

This makes me think of Romans 1: 21-32  "For even though they knew God they did not honor Him as God, or give thanks; but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing to be wise they became fools... "  

"They exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for and image..."

".. they exchanged the truth of God for a lie.. " 

"And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things not proper...

".. and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them." 

It was true in ancient Israel.  It was the same in the Roman Empire.  It is the same in America today.  We also have godless, evil,  and foolish leaders who are encouraging morally corrupt practices and leading people into confusion and into practices that are "worthy of death."  Lord, help us!

Verses18-21  The Lord's anger will "burn up" the land and the people who are "like fuel for the fire.   Brother will fight brother.  People will eat their own flesh and blood.  There is no hope, no mercy, and no love.  And God's hand is still "stretched out". 

Like Israel, people today think that God is not watching and certainly wouldn't be angry at them!  But, they are wrong.  The psalmist wrote this.. "They say, 'the Lord does not see, nor does the God of Jacob pay heed.' And when will you understand, stupid ones? He who planted the ear, does He not hear? He who formed the eye, does He not see? He who chastens the nations, will He not rebuke, even He who teaches man knowledge? The Lord knows the thoughts of man, that they are a mere breath."  ( Psalm 94:7-11)

Father in heaven, You are the God of vengeance. You are God - a consuming fire!  We must not forget that truth, lest we forget that You have told us to fear You.. for that is the beginning of wisdom.  Otherwise.. we are completely foolish and stupid.  Your anger is righteous. Your judgements are perfect.  You know those who are Yours and You have granted us repentance and forgiveness through Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, who was slain for our sins. We place our trust in the perfection of His sacrifice on our behalf. Thank You Lord. Father, we live in a world that is corrupt and full of sin. We pray for Your help.  We pray for revival!  We wonder, like the psalmist, "How long will the wicked exult?"  But, we also echo his statements of faith.. "When my anxious thoughts multiply within me, Thy consolations delight my soul... the Lord has been my stronghold, and my God the rock of my refuge." Jesus, wonderful, counselor, mighty God, Eternal Father, and Prince of Peace, we fix our eyes on You.  Be glorified in all the earth we pray. May Your Name be proclaimed boldly across the nation and around the world today.  In Jesus' name we pray.  Amen. 

 Isaiah 9:3-7  Jesus became the Light of the world - the "child born to us.. the son.. given to us.."  These verses tell us that He:

-will "increase their gladness" v3

-will "break the yoke of their burden and the staff on their shoulders.." v4

-will carry the "government.. on His shoulders"..v6 

- will "establish" His kingdom "with justice and righteousness from then on and forevermore." 

And "the zeal of the Lord of hosts will accomplish this". 

Out of the darkness of the sin -sick world came the Light.  He came to fulfill the Word of God, to redeem His own, to rescue us.. For He is:

"Wonderful" - marvelous - things too hard, too high, miraculous; full of wonder

"Counselor" - Advisor; resolver; consult; guide; devise; purpose;

"Mighty God" - el - strength, might, great, strong

"Eternal Father" - perpetual; without end;  'ab' - chief; principal 

"Prince of Peace"-  the head, the captain/ general; governor; keeper, lord, master, ruler;  of 'shalom' - safe; well, happy, friendly, health; prosperity; favor, welfare;  wholeness; 

Jesus Christ is all!  Everything that we need. Everything we could ever want. He came for us.  He knows our great need and will perfectly complete the work He has begun in each of us who put our trust in Him. Praise His holy Name!

Father in heaven, we are thankful and humbled by the greatness of Your salvation through Jesus Christ who is our Captain, our Counselor, our King forever.  Be glorified in Your people who lift us Your Name in praise and thanksgiving. Shine in us today we pray. amen. 

 Isaiah 9:1-7  Isaiah had described the darkest of times, filled with distress and "the gloom of anguish". (8:22)  And, once again the Lord gave him a glimpse of hope for the future.  This passage thrills our hearts for we know that it was fulfilled by Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who came to be the "Prince of Peace.. " and "the Light of the world." 

"The people who walk in darkness will see a great light; those who live in a dark land, the light will shine on them."  v2 

Darkness -the Hebrew word here is 'choshek'  - darkness, misery, destruction, death, ignorance, sorrow, wickedness.   The "dark land" is the shadow of death,  the grave.   It is a place without hope.  It was where  the people of Israel and Judah lived during Isaiah's day.  It was the place where the people in Israel lived during the days before Jesus came.  They were so far from what the Lord had promised for them, what He desired to give them... for they had turned away from Him, unwilling to serve the God who loved them.  It is a place that.. more and more.. describes the world in which we live. 

God is always associated with light.  From the beginning, when the earth was first created.. empty and dark, He sent light. "Let there be light; and there was light. And God saw that the light was good;" (Gen. 1:3-4)  James wrote, "Every good thing bestowed and every perfect gift is from above, coming down form the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow." ( 1:17)  Paul wrote, "For God, who said 'Light shall shine out of darkness' is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ." 

 John wrote, "In Him ( Jesus) was life and the life was the light of men. and the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it."  Light - shines.  It manifests itself. It overcomes darkness.  Darkness cannot overpower it. John was continually  focused on the Light.. "And this is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. " (I John 2:5)

Jesus, Himself, proclaimed that the words of Isaiah were fulfilled in Him. ( Matthew 4:13-17)  And in John 8:12 we read, "Again therefore Jesus spoke to them saying, 'I am the light of the world; he who follows Me shall not walk in the darkness, but shall have the light of life." 

John continued his message in I John 1.. "If we say we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; but if we walk in the light as He Himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin." 

Father in heaven, God of all creation, You are perfect Light, and in You there is no darkness!  Hallelujah! We praise You. We give thanks to You.  We can confidently and continually trust in Your goodness and love. We thank You for sending Jesus, the light of the world, to come and bring life to us. We abide in Him, Who is the "radiance of [Your] glory".  Jesus, " Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of peace, "  King forever.  Help us to walk in Your Light.. every moment, every day.. forever and ever..  Lord, bless us and keep us, shine Your face on us, be gracious to us, lift up Your countenance on us and give us peace.  In the name of Jesus Christ, our eternal Light. Amen. 

 Isaiah 8  The Lord gives Isaiah a unique message for Judah - "Maher-shalal-hashbaz" - a name he was to give to his son who was not even conceived yet..   It was a war cry - "Swift is the booty, speedy is the prey".   The promise was that by the time this son was born and old enough to talk, Damascus and Israel who were terrifying Judah  would be taken captive by Assyria. 

Isaiah testified to his people that he and his children were given for "signs and wonders in Israel from the Lord of Hosts.. " ( v18)   Isaiah's name meant "Yahweh is salvation"... a reminder that God would deliver His people.  "Maher-shalal-hashbaz" was a reminder that the alliance between Aram and Israel would be broken.  And, Isaiah's other son, Shear-Jashub which means "a remnant will return", was a promise that God would not completely destroy His people. 

Isaiah warned those who were consulting mediums and fortune-tellers to know the future..  that they were looking into death, darkness and would find only distress and anguish.  "Should they consult the dead on behalf of the living?"  NO! They needed to turn to the only place where they would find Truth!

 "To the law and to the testimony"! Isaiah cries out, "It is the Lord of hosts whom you should regard as holy. And He shall be your fear, and He shall be your dread. Then He shall become a sanctuary ..."  Like Isaiah we also need to "wait for the Lord".. to "look eagerly for Him."  We do that by studying and meditating on His Word. 

Psalm 91 echoes Isaiah's message " You who live in the shelter of Elyon, ( the Most High), who spend your nights in the shadow of Shaddai ( the Almighty), who say to Adonai, 'My refuge! My fortress! My God, in whom I trust!'  He will rescue you... he will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his truth is a shield and protection." ( v1-4 CJB)  When we wait for the Lord.. when we look eagerly for Him... when we take refuge in Him and trust Him fully.. then we "will not fear the terrors of night or the arrow that flies by day, or the plague that roams in the dark.. " 

Judah failed to place their trust in their God and turn from their fears, even with Isaiah's testimony before them.  And often we fail too.. fail to believe that God is faithful and true. ..that He is a trustworthy Refuge and Fortress.  May God help us to fully trust in Him. 

Father, You are able to deliver us, heal us, help us, strengthen us, and keep us. Your promises are True and Your grace is sufficient. May we take shelter in You. May we turn our fears over to You. May we make You our dwelling place!  Thank You for Your Word, where we find hope and love and salvation.  Thank You for the promise that when we call on You, You will answer... and when we trust in You, You will rescue us. Be exalted O God, above the heavens!  Be glorified in all the earth! In Jesus' name we pray, amen. 

 Isaiah 7  Isaiah was sent to meet with King Ahaz. Aram and Israel had joined together to come against Judah and the king was scared.  Isaiah had a wonderful message.. " Take care and be calm, have no fear and do not be fainthearted because of these two stubs of smoldering firebrands.. "  The Lord would not allow Aram and Israel to take Judah.  In fact, within a few years those kings would both be gone and within 65 years Israel would be "shattered". 

The Lord offered Ahaz a sign.. any sign of his own choosing.. as proof that God would do what He said.  But, Ahaz refused a sign.. and refused to believe.  Isaiah said to him.. " If you will not believe, you surely will not last."  

The Lord gave Ahaz a sign anyway.. "Behold a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel. He will eat curds and honey at the time he knows enough to refuse evil and choose good. For before the boy will know enough to refuse evil and choose good, the land whose two kings you dread will be forsaken." 

Instead of trusting the Lord, Ahaz turned to Assyria for help.  He chose to build an altar that copied the Assyrians.  He placed it before the altar that the Lord required.  He stripped the temple of gold and silver to give to Assyria for their help.  He chose evil over good..

We all have been given the privilege and the responsibility to choose - good or evil.  We choose to believe God or we don't.  We choose to live in fear.. or we choose to live in faith.  We also have been given a warning.. for if we will not believe.. we "surely will not last. " 

Many years after Isaiah, Matthew would use his words to speak of another child.. "born of a virgin"  One who would always refuse evil and always live in holiness and goodness.  Jesus Christ came to redeem us from the sin and guilt that we have chosen. He came that we might have His Spirit to choose righteousness and justice. He came that we might know God, remember His works, and praise Him forever more. 

Father in heaven, it is in the name of Jesus Christ, that we come to You and pray for forgiveness.. to ask for help to choose what is good and right and pleasing to You. Help us to forsake sin and selfishness.  Help us to fully trust You in every situation. Help us to fear You.. and not the world..  or even a virus..  You are our dwelling place. You alone are God.  Fill us with Your love and joy and peace, we pray. Amen. 

 Isaiah 6  This well know account of Isaiah's vision of the Lord and his calling to be a minister of the Lord is at once uplifting and devastating.  Isaiah.. "saw the Lord sitting on a throne, lofty and exalted, with the train of His robe filling the temple." How wonderful and amazing that must have been.. yet how devastating to be a sin- filled human being in the Presence of One who is "Holy, Holy, Holy!" 

This incredible experience of a vision of the Lord's throne was only shared with a few individuals that we read about in the Word..  Ezekiel and John... perhaps Daniel and Paul.   Isaiah was struck with the knowledge of God's holiness and his own sinfulness. 

As we read in Isaiah 1,  Judah was indicted for their sin that began with a lack of knowledge and understanding. They did not know the Lord, and they did not understand His holiness.   The message had been proclaimed.. "wash yourselves, make yourselves clean, remove the evil of your deeds.. "  but they did not listen.  In chapter 5 we read about  the "woes" pronounced on Judah because of their greed, their evil lifestyles, and their refusal to call sin - sin.  They did not "pay attention to the deeds of the Lord, nor [did] they consider the work of His hands.. "  Isaiah was more than truthful when he confessed "Woe is me, for I am ruined! Because I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips.."  Attitudes of the heart spill out in the actions and words of mankind.  Isaiah recognized his need.  Judah as a nation.. did not.  

 There are two contrasts presented here

1. - the holiness of God with the uncleanness of Judah;  

2. - the evilness of Judah's deeds and the wonder and awesomeness of the Lord's deeds, the works of His hands - which Judah failed to remember or acknowledge. 

Isaiah immediately humbled himself before the Lord, confessing his sin.  This resulted in his cleansing by the "burning coal" taken from the altar before the Lord.  His iniquity was taken away and his sin was forgiven.  Then, the Lord invited him to serve.. "Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?" 

Yet, when Isaiah answered "Here am I. Send me!", he did not know what that mission would entail.  He would go.  He would proclaim all the Lord told him to say.  But.. the people would not hear.. they would  not understand.. and they would not return to the Lord and be healed.   There would be only a remnant who would remain.. a stump left standing while the mighty tree was cut down. 

Praise the Lord for verse 13.. "The holy seed is its stump.."  Isaiah wrote in chapter 11 "Then a shoot will spring from the stem of Jesse, and a branch from his roots will bear fruit. and the Spirit of the Lord will rest on Him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, The spirit of counsel and strength, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord."  

Yes, Isaiah would minister to a nation that would close their eyes and ears. But, the Lord would keep a remnant of faithful men and women. And out of that remnant, a nation would be rebuilt. And out of that nation a Son would be born.. the Holy Seed.  Praise the Lord!

Father in heaven, how we thank You for Jesus, the One who fulfilled all that You require for mankind.. all that we have failed to do and be.  We were counted among those who have ears but don't hear and eyes but don't see.. until we encountered the Grace and Truth that Jesus Christ has brought to the earth.  How precious is Your grace to us, that You sent Your Son to die for us..  when we were yet sinners.  Thank You for the Word. Thank You for sending out messengers of the Good News, so that we can hear, we can understand with our hearts.. we can return to You  and be healed!  We praise You, Lord!  Blessed be Your Name in all the earth. Amen.