A couple of images and several questions comes to mind from today’s reading. The prophecies  of Jeremiah reminds me of a parent warning a child about tomorrow’s consequences for today’s decisions, actions, and choices. As parents we can see the consequences rising against them.  Consequences armed with bows and spears. Consequences that are cruel and show no mercy. Consequences coming in battle formation planning to destroy our beautiful child. (Jeremiah 6:22-23).
 
Shifting gears to King Josiah….as one of the good kings of Judah, Josiah decided to repair the temple. During the renovation Hilkiah, the high priest, found the “Book of Law”. Since it was found, I image it was lost or hidden so well for so long that it could very easily gone without ever being found. So it was a miraculous find (2 Chronicles 34:14-15). Josiah had been on the throne for 18 years. Then when Hilkiah brings him the Book of Law – he tore his clothes and wept in repentance.  In response to Josiah’s repentance God held back bring disaster to Israel until after Josiah died and buried in peace (2 Kings 23:18-20).
 
Josiah’s life is a type-of salvation. Believers will not experience the tribulation because they will be raptured (caught up) and at peace with Christ before the disaster. We can look forward to being buried in peace when we humble ourselves and tear our clothes in repentance. The big difference between Josiah and us is that we can go directly to the high priest and speak for ourselves.

It is interesting how chapter 58 starts out talking about Israel's fast. They wonder why God is not listening to their cries to him or or taking notice of their fasts. Chapter 59 shows us God pointing out the reason why he doesn't listen to them. They were doing all kinds of sin.

At times when we feel like God is not listening to us, we must ask ourselves, "Could there be sin that I am doing that is keeping God from hearing my cry?"

The encouraging thing is that even though God talked about the vengeance and punishment that was to come, he still stated that he was going to remember his steadfast love and restore them and bless them. We can be encouraged that God's desire is the same for us. His desire is for us to walk with him, to know him, to honor him, so that he may show his glory through blessing us with blessings we do not deserve.

One other noteworthy concept in this passage is God's idea of what a fast should be. Isaiah 58:6-7 shows what God thinks is a fast.

As I read Isaiah 53 this morning, I was again captivated by the accuracy of events chronicled in Christ’s ministry nearly 700 years before He came to earth.  Our Lord God saw a need for restoration and salvation through His “only begotten son” (John 3:16).

As Isaiah said in verse 53:4&5:  4) “Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down.  And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God, a punishment for his own sins!   5) But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins.  He was beaten so we could be whole.  He was whipped so we could be healed.”

Those verses ring volumes in understanding the gift that has been given to us through the sacrifice that Christ bore on the cross.  Take some time to read these verses today, along with 55: 8 & 9 which speaks to us about the Lord’s eternal perspective – “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine” (verse 8).

“Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.”  John 15:13.

Be blessed, and have a wonderful weekend……….Larry

Isaiah 48:12-52:12

Sunday evening I had the honor of baptizing my daughter.  Prior to her baptism, April had come to me and said that she had asked Jesus into her heart.  I asked her what that meant to her and her answer was that Jesus died for her, and that he was in charge.  Jesus is in charge...simple answer for the big truth.

In our reading today Isaiah relays God's message to the Israelites that it is not their worthless idols built by human hands, but that it is God who is in charge!
Isaiah 48:13, " It was my hand that laid the foundations of the earth, my right hand that spread out the heavens above...
It is believing that simple answer that we get the big truth, there is freedom in God and captivity in all else.

Isaiah 50:11 " But watch out, you who live in your own light and warm yourselves by your own fires. This is the reward you will receive from me: You will soon fall down in great torment."

When the battle rages between the old self and the new, ask the question;, Who is in charge of your life? Then enjoy the freedom.

Blessings

Art

2KINGS 20:1-11
ISAIAH 38:1-8
2CHRONICLES 32:24-31
ISAIAH 38:9-22
2KINGS 20:12-19
ISAIAH 39:1-8

Imagine being in a doctor's office waiting for tests results.  The doctor comes in without his/her usual smile and sits down next to you.  You know the answer if before the doctor opens their mouth..  All you hear is "cancer" and you ask the only question left, "How long?"  What would you do?

Hezekiah has been sick, and Isaiah comes to visit him, and brings the message from God.  “This is what the Lord says: Set your affairs in order, for you are going to die. You will not recover from this illness.” 2kings 20::1. To Hezekiah's credit he doesn't scream out WHY, in fact he he simply asks God to remember him, and weeps.  Hezekiah must have touched God's heart because as Isaiah was walking through the courtyard he is told to go back and tell Hezekiah that God is going to heal him and add 15 years to his life.

Initially Hezekiah is thankful, writes a beautiful poem of God's grace and glory then writes, "Think of it—the Lord is ready to heal me!
    I will sing his praises with instruments
every day of my life
    in the Temple of the Lord (Isaiah 38:20)

The next chapter begins with, "Soon after this..." (Isaiah 39:1) and gives the account of Hezekiah entertaining visitors who wish him well and witness his recovery.. (by the way, this was a golden opportunity to praise God.)  Instead Hezekiah brags of his personal wealth, foods, and grains.  Pride blocks God from his due, humility shines the spotlight on God.

Let us remember that God owns it all.  We may think we own our possessions, but like Hezekiah found out, all his possessions went to others after his death.  Remember that after we leave this planet all of stuff will be in the hands of someone else. There are no U-hauls at the end of a funeral procession. 

Be a blessing to someone today....

In the passages that talked about when Rabshakeh came and threatened to overtake Jerusalem, it's interesting how Hezekiah as a leader had to lead but the people also had to make the choice to follow. Hezekiah seemed to put his trust in God and he told the people to do that as well. However, when Rabshakeh spoke to all the people in their own language, the people had to make a choice right then. Were they going to listen to the deception of this guy or were they going to put their trust in the Lord like Hezekiah was encouraging them to do. This shows us that it doesn't matter whether you are a leader or not, we all have a responsibility to put our trust in God and to follow him.

Last night in our small group, we continued our study of Genesis, focusing on some of the strife between Lot and Abraham’s herdsmen.  We discussed what could cause strife and division among brothers and sisters in Christ, and also within the church.  Some of the things that were brought up were Pride, Hatred, Quarrelsome individuals, Hot tempered persons, Greed, Jealously and selfish ambition.  Quite a line up to say the least.

I bring these to light, because eventually Lot and Abraham parted ways, with Lot looking out across the land and choosing the plains of Jordan, journeying to the east.  In that area was Sodom and Gomorrah, and we know what happened there, with God destroying it.  But why did Lot stay there?  Did he find profit there, or did he like it?  Was he influenced by individuals in authority, who were falsely leading him?  He could have left, but he didn’t. 

2 Peter 2:7-8 tells us that Lot was righteous, but do all righteous men make the right decisions?  My wrong decisions are countless, and we live in a world that is influenced 24/7 by satan.  Here’s where that pride, hatred, quarrelsome and hot tempered mannerisms come into play, and some folks feed on that mentality, and are willing to throw the very foundations of our Lord, that they have been taught about, right out the window.

Pretty heavy huh?  But Micah, in speaking to the people of Israel, discussed True and False Prophets in Micah 2:6-11.  Going as far as saying in verse 11 – “Suppose a prophet full of lies would say to you, “I’ll preach to you the joys of wine and alcohol!”  That’s just the kind of prophet you would like!”  Obviously, we would not take this person seriously, and knowing God’s word, better prepares you in dealing with the daily obstacles associated with satan, the flesh, and the world.  Stay vigilant.

Have a blessed and wonderful weekend……..Larry

Isaiah 30:1-33:24

I remember when I was in college, (I’d say high school but remembering that far would be a stretch,) I benefited from the wisdom of upperclassmen who advised that when the professor said, “remember this” you wrote what was said down. When he/she wrote something on the board, you wrote it down and underlined it, highlighted it, did whatever you needed to do to put it to memory because you were going to see that bit of information again.

During the previous days readings we see a reoccurring theme; to Get on God’s side. In today’s reading you might want to get out your highlighters….

Isaiah 30:1-2 God scolds his people, “What sorrow awaits my rebellious children… “You make plans that are contrary to mine. You make alliances not directed by my Spirit…., “You have put your trust in Pharaoh’s protection.”

Haven’t we done the same?  We’ve made our own paths, many contrary to God’s laws much less His plans for us. We trust in our own thoughts, our own strengths, and our own views.  God said to the Israelites, His chosen people, to prepare for sorrow, why would His character, thereby his warning be any different toward us?

As terrifying as that warning is, God gives us the answer to restoration in 31:15, “ …Only in returning to me and resting in me will you be saved.  In quietness and confidence is your strength. 

God, knowing that we are stiff neck and stubborn, reminds us of His faithfulness and patience;  verse 18, “so the Lord must wait for you to come to him so He can show you his love and compassion…” verse 19…”O people of Zion who live in Jerusalem, you will weep no more. 

It is easy to get wrapped up in the troubles of our lives, the uncertainty of the economy, but remember who is in control.  Have you been stubborn, still clinging to areas in your life not surrendered?  What is holding you back?  God patiently waits for you to come to Him, so that you may enjoy rest.

May you be blessed today.    

      The doom and gloom of Isaiah 24 is a stark contrast to the Israel’s redemption in Isaiah 29. No one will be spared “it will be the same, for priest as for people, for the master as for his servant, for the mistress as for her servant, for seller as for buyer, for borrower as for lender, for debtor as for creditor. The earth will be completely laid waste and totally plundered. 
      Meanwhile in chapters 25 & 26 God’s people praise him. They exalt the Lord and trust him
for their safety. He delivers them instructing them to …enter your rooms and shut the doors behind you; hide yourselves for a little while until his wrath has passed by. Even though he redeems them, judgment of Israel’s
wicked comes the destruction of the earth. Ultimately the faithful are redeemed in chapter 29.        
     The difficult thing about prophecy is determining whether it is pasted for not. 

    So be encouraged to remain faithful.

There have been a few songs that have been made with the words of Psalm 121.  One of them, which I used to sing in college, sounds like this:
"I lift my eyes up, up to the mountains.  Where does my help come from?  My help comes from you, Maker of heaven, Creater of the earth."  Oh, wait, I guess you can't hear me singing it.  Anyways, what a great Psalm and one that I needed this morning.

Sometimes we question this God that we are hoping in.  We wonder if He's there and if He can really do anything about the circumstances we are in.  This Psalm shows us that,
- He is the creator of everything (heaven and earth pretty much covers everything), and has control over everything. (v. 2)
- He never sleeps so He's always attentive to what we are dealing with. (v. 3-4)
- He can protect you from all kinds of circumstances throughout the day and night. (v. 5-6)
- He goes with you wherever you go. (v. 8)

May we take courage knowing who our trust and hope are in and that He can handle it even when we can't.