Sat.’s Devo - God’s Refreshing

Read: Isaiah 41:17-43:13; Ephesians 2:1-22; Psalm 67:1-7; Proverbs 23:29-35 Prophecy can be taken literally and spiritually. Isaiah prophecies of a time when the poor and needy have no water and they cry out to God for help. He will bring rivers to them in impossible places like high plateaus and deserts. Water will flow over parched land and they will be able to plant trees in the desert. It will be a miracle. *** This also refers to their dry hearts that have not heard from God for a long time. God will bless them with a flood of his presence and blessing so that they will grow and prosper in their hearts and minds. *** God sends out a challenge to the idols they worship. He challenges them to explain the ancient past and the future, but they can’t do it. They can’t do anything because they are not powerful like they claim them to be. *** God will bring a leader from the north and the east. He will call on His name and God will cause him to trample over kings and princes both physical and spiritual. He was Cyrus in their day, Trump in our day which are both a type of Christ Jesus. This man will bring justice to the nations and all who have been wronged. He will not give up or lose heart but will fight until justice prevails throughout the earth. Even distant lands will wait for his instruction. *** God who has waited silently will arise and level the ones on the top of society and in leadership. He will lead his people down a new path that is unfamiliar but will be made clear and smooth. His people will not be forsaken but those who trusted in idols will end in shame. *** Isaiah laments that the people he prophesied to were spiritually blind and could not understand or believe what he was telling them would happen. They knew what he said was right but refused to act on it. Israel had been robbed, plundered, enslaved, imprisoned, and trapped with no one to protect them. God allowed this to happen because they refused to walk with the Lord. But God was calling them to now listen to what he says about them. He has ransomed their freedom and will now walk with them, not against them. He will gather them back to Israel and challenge the idol worshippers. His chosen people will be His witness to the world of who he is. He is the only God! No one can snatch anyone out of his hand and no one can undo what he has done. *** Paul explains salvation. It is not a reward for the good things we have don. It is all God’s doing,. In salvation he creates us anew so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. We do everything through Christ who lives in us. Jews and Gentiles are brought together under Christ. *** Lord, thank you that you respond to our cry for help and you bring salvation. We patiently await your salvation.