Thurs.’s Devo - God Rules the Earth

Read: Isaiah 39:41-16; Ephesians 1:1-23; Psalm 66:1-20; Proverbs 23:25-28 Babylon, like Judah had broken their tribute they had paid to Assyria and were experiencing their own independence as Judah was. They both had this in common. The Babylonians invented the sun dial so when it went back 10 spaces and they found out the source was Hezekiah, they were very interested in making an alliance with Israel to investigate this amazing mystery. So, Merodach-baladan sent ambassadors to Hezekiah with a gift and best wishes to win his trust. Hezekiah was blinded by his pride and showed off all of his treasuries and everything they had. When the ambassadors from Babylon left, Isaiah came to talk to Hezekiah about his visitors. When he was told Hezekiah had showed them everything they had, he told Hezekiah that one day they would come and get it all, even his sons would be taken to Babylon and made to be eunuchs in the palace of Babylon. Hezekiah’s response was that he was glad it wasn’t going to happen in his life-time. What has happened to Hezekiah? Chapter 40 seems so premature since Israel has just gotten their death sentence. This is just how God sees - he chooses to look at the end from the beginning. He sees a time when the judgment is over and he is restoring his people. He speaks of the voice of John the Baptist crying in the wilderness making a highway for God. Many people like grass will come and go but God’s Word will stand and it will be fulfilled in its rightful season. God will come and be a shepherd to his people. He will gently lead them as sheep in a pasture. God rules the nations which are like sand in his bucket. He moves them wherever he wants. He will bring his people from the ends of the earth back together. Israel’s enemies will come to nothing and not be able to fight against what the Lord is doing with his people. Israel will rejoice and defeat their enemies with the help of the Lord. They will rejoice in the Lord and glory in Him. Paul addresses a letter to the believers in the church in Ephesus. The church in Ephesus included both Jews and Gentiles. He begins by telling them that they are the ones God chose to be holy and without fault in his eyes. Before the foundation of the earth he had planned to adopt many children into his family and purchase their freedom through the blood of his son. He showered them with his kindness, as well as all wisdom and understanding. At the right time, he will bring everything together under Christ’s authority - everything on earth and in heaven. Paul prays for this group of believers that their hearts would be flooded with light so that they could understand the confident hope Christ has given them. He prays that they would understand the greatness of God’s power - the same power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavens. God has put all things under the authority of Christ and made him the head over everything for the benefit of the church. Everything Jesus does is for our benefit! Lord, thank you for your great love for us. Thank you that you reign over us, not a group of men with titles. You, from heaven are our authority and we bow to none but you. May will walk with your kingdom in our hearts obeying you.