Mon.’s Devo - God’s Consuming Fire

Read: Isaiah 33:10-36:22; Galatians 5:13-26; Psalm 64:1-10; Proverbs 23:23 God stood up to the Assyrians. He told them that they produce nothing but death and their own breath would turn to fire that consumes them. They would be consumed by fire, the fire of God. They had conquered the world and now they would face God’s army and lose. The only one who would be able to live through God’s consuming fire would be the ones who are honest and fair, who refuse to profit by fraud and who stay away from bribes; those who refuse to listen to those who plot murder and who shut their eyes to all enticement to do wrong. To the ones who dwell on high: the rocks would be their fortress and food and water would be supplied to them. They would no longer see the Assyrians but they would see Jerusalem as a secure and quiet city where they can worship the Lord in safety. The treasure of Assyria would be divided among the people of God. God always fights his war first in the heavens and then in the earth. (Isaiah 34:5) God then came down and judged Edom, Jacob’s twin brother who was cursed because he despised God’s calling on his life and the people of God. The land of Edom would fall to chaos and destruction. It would become a desert place given to the wild animals. The desert and wilderness would blossom with flowers and singing. This has happened in Israel today. Isaiah gave the promise of the Messiah who would come and open the blind eyes and the deaf ears. The lame will leap like a deer and those who cannot speak will sing for joy. The land would be filled with water and vegetation. God will make a way called the Highway of Holiness for these to come to salvation. In the 14th year of King Hezekiah’s reign, King Sennacherib of Assyria came to attack the towns of Judah and conquered them. Then he came to Jerusalem to meet with the leaders of the city. They gave Jerusalem the chance to surrender promising them 2,000 horses to ride on to Assyria. They used intimidation and fear, telling them that Egypt would not come and help them. They spoke to them loudly in Hebrew so all their men could hear their threats. When the leaders asked them to not talk where the men could hear they laughed because that was exactly what they were trying to do. If they could weaken the soldiers with fear, they would have the city. The Assyrian officers told the soldiers of Jerusalem that their God would never help them. They said that their God was mad at them because they had torn down the altars in other cities and only let the people worship him in Jerusalem. They didn’t care that the altars Hezekiah had broken down were altars to false gods. The soldiers didn’t answer the Assyrian officers because they had been instructed to stay silent. The officers of Jerusalem despaired and went to tell Hezekiah what was going on at the wall. In Galatians, Paul explained why they had been made free. They were free to serve one another in love. They were free from their sinful nature and a whole list of vices. They were free to produce the fruit of the Holy Spirit which is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Those who are Christ’s have nailed their passions and desires to his cross and crucified them there. They are free to follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of their lives. Lord, may we live by the Spirit and produce the fruit the Spirit gives us.