Mon.’s Devo - Our Strength is in the Lord

Read: Isaiah 8:1-9:21; 2 Corinthians 12:1-10; Psalm 55:1-23; Provers 23:4-5 God told Isaiah to make a big sign with the name Maher-shalalhash-baz on is which means “quickly the spoil, hasting the prey”. Isaiah obeyed, asking honest men to witness what he wrote. *** Then, Isaiah and his wife conceived a son and named him this name and Isaiah prophesied that before his son would be able to say “papa” or “mama” the Assyrians would quickly take the spoil of Damascus and of Samaria. *** When the people heard what was Isaiah said was going to happen to Damascus and Samaria, they rejoiced and the Lord rebuked them. He said that because they rejoiced at their doom, the king of Assyria would also prey on Judah. All of their armies and strategy will not be able to save them. *** God told Isaiah not to be afraid of what made everyone else was afraid of. The only thing they should fear would be the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. He had the power to take them or protect them. To Israel and Judah, God would be a stone that makes them stumble and a rock of offense. Isaiah proclaims that he will put his hope in God. *** All of Isaiah’s children were named as signs to the people of Israel of God’s warnings to them. Many would want to ask their mediums and spirits of the dead about the future, but why would they ask the dead about life? Only God has the light on what will happen. He is the only one who can see. Those who look elsewhere will be in the dark. *** One day they will come out of their darkness and be humbled. The land of Galilee would be filled with glory. These people who walk in the dark will see a great light and rejoicing and joy will return to the people of Israel. *** A child will be born and the government of the people will rest on him. He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His government and peace will never end. His government will be one of peace justice and love. As for now, God has proclaimed judgment on Israel and Judah. God’s army will bring the Assyrians from the east and the Philistines from the west to attack Israel and Judah. When they still don’t repent, he will destroy the leaders and the lying prophets in a single day. God will have no mercy on the great or the small because they all rejected him as their God. *** Paul had been giving them his credentials to persuade them to listen to him and not the false teachers they had in abundance. He tells them of the time he was caught up to the third heaven and the wonderful things he saw…things he was not able to repeat. But instead of boasting in his experiences, he wants to boast in his weakness because in his weakness, God is very strong though him. He was given a thorn in his flesh to keep him from becoming proud. When he asked God to take it away, God had told him that his grace was all he needed. His power works best in our weaknesses. *** Lord, thank you that you can do through us what we are unable to do in our own self. It is your grace that leads us and sustains us. Help us to rise up to be mighty warriors in this day of battle. Your grace is sufficient for us.