Wed.’s Devo - Hope -

Read: Isaiah 48:12-50:11; Ephesians 4:17-32; Psalm 69:1-18; Proverbs 24:5-6
God chose Cyrus as his friend to do his purpose against Babylon. He said that he would cause Cyrus to succeed in his mission.
God mourns over the response of the people. He knows what is best for them because he made them. God had wanted to give them peace and righteousness and bless them with many descendants so that their name would never be cut off. But, Israel refused to trust in the Lord. God warned them to flee Babylon and reminded them of how he had provided for his people who fled Egypt.
Isaiah gave them the testimony of his own life. God had called him to bring Israel and Jacob back to him. God would even use Isaiah to bring the Gentiles to the Lord. When God poured out his favor on the earth he was going to make his people come out of their darkness and see God. He knew that this would not happen for a time and the people would feel forgotten so he addressed that too. God said that he could never forget them because they were graven on the palm of his hand. Even though all hope will seem to be gone, God was going to come to their rescue at just the right time. He promised that those who hope in him will not be disappointed.
In Ephesians, Paul speaks of the Gentiles as a picture of the unsaved people who had given themselves over to sin. I find this funny since most of his congregation were saved Gentiles. He considers them Jews since they have now been grafted in to God’s family making everything we just read in Isaiah pertain to us, not just the Jewish people. They had been been made new creatures like God who had true righteousness and holiness. He admonished them not to sin any more giving the devil any foothold in them. Instead of negative talk, they needed to say things that were helpful for building each other up and encouraging one another.
The Holy Spirit is kind and compassionate and forgives and he is in us to do all these things through us.
Lord, help us to allow the Holy Spirit to live through us and walk in love. Thank you for your great plan for your people.