Tues.’s Devo - The Power of Grace

Read: Isaiah 19:1-21:17; Galatians 2:1-16; Psalm 59:1-17; Proverbs 23:13-14 Isaiah gave the Lord’s judgment on all the nations of the earth and today we read about Egypt’s fate. Isaiah saw God moving toward Egypt to destroy it. God turned them against each other and caused their plans to become so confused that even their fortune tellers and idols couldn’t help them. God was turning them over to a cruel taskmaster - the Persians. Even nature responded to what God was doing. The Nile failed to rise and dried up instead. This caused all the green plants along the Nile to die and the fish to diminish. There was no flax growing in which they made thread to make clothes and blankets. Their leaders had no answers for their plight. Their wisdom was foolishness. No one had answers. God said that through all of Egypt’s suffering, they would come to repentance and be converted to the Lord. Even Assyria would be converted to the Lord and join with Israel in serving Jehovah. Assyria, Egypt and Israel would come together in common faith as one people. We are seeing this happen in our day as many from all nations are turning to the Lord. Isaiah was told to walk around naked to show them what their fate was going to be. He told a watchman to watch and let him know when he saw a chariot pulled by a pair of horses and riders on donkeys and camels. The watchmen watched day after day until finally they saw a chariot pulled by two horses. Then Isaiah said that this was the sign that Babylon had fallen. God told Isaiah about Edom. Edom was experiencing great judgment. Isaiah said they would have a moment of reprieve but then judgment again. Arabia would supply water and bread to the refugees that came from these nations. Paul, in Galatians is so humble yet so determined to stand for truth. He returned to the churches in Galatia and found that they welcomed his teaching. He was not impressed with the hierarchy in the churches and discerned those who snuck in to bring their Judiazer ways. They wanted to make the people follow the law to find grace which is an oxymoron. Paul would have none of it and called them out. He also called out Peter for his hypocrisy. He ate with sinners until the followers of James came to town then he refused to eat with them because they hadn’t been circumcised. Paul kept bringing them back to the truth about grace. Lord, help us to remember the wonderful grace that you sent your son to die for. May we not weaken the Gospel with our rules and unbelief. Your grace is sufficient for every trial and temptation we face. Thank you for your grace.