Sun.’s Devo - The Sovereign God

Read: Isaiah 6:1-7:25; 2 Corinthians 11:16-33; Psalm 54:1-7; Proverbs 23:1-3 The people had made Uzziah king after his father, Zechariah had died. He was a strong king who ruled for 52 years. During his reign, Judah enjoyed prosperity and peace. He began his reign relying on the Lord but in the end his pride led him to offer incense in the Temple. He was struck by leprosy and had to live apart from the palace in a separate building. When he died, Isaiah had a vision of an open heaven where he saw God on his throne. He say the mighty seraphim attending God and proclaiming his holiness and glory. Their voices shook the Temple on earth and it was filled with smoke. *** Isaiah thought the world had come to an end and God was coming to judge the earth. One of the angels touched Isaiah’s mouth with a coal from the altar of heaven and removed all the sin and guilt from Isaiah. When he asked who would go as their messenger, Isaiah volunteered. The seraphim explained that the people’s hearts would be hardened and they wouldn’t listen or comprehend what he was telling them. The land would become a waste land and everyone would be exiled away except a small remnant. The people left would be God’s holy seed. *** Chapter seven moves ahead years. Uzziah’s grandson, Ahaz is king of Judah. He had received news that King Rezin of Syria and Pekah the king of Israel were going to ally to attack Jerusalem. He and the people were shaking in fear but God sent Isaiah and his son, Shear-jashub to give King Ahaz a message. He told him where he would find Ahaz and tell him that the invasion would never happen. (Shear-Jashub means “a remnant will return.”) *** Later, God sent Isaiah to Ahaz to ask God for a sign that he would do these things. Ahaz refused to give a sign which infuriated God. He told him if Ahaz wouldn’t come up with a sign of confirmation, then he would. The young woman would have a son and his name would be Immanuel and by the time he was old enough to eat honey and yogurt the lands of Syria and Israel would be deserted. Then the Lord will bring the Assyrians and the Egyptians against them. Their land will become desolate and shorn. So few people will be left that it will only take a few animals to maintain their existence. *** Isaiah was prophesying into the time of Christ but also into his own time. His wife did have a child and when the child was weaned all this happened. *** Paul argues his case to the Corinthians. Apparently the false teachers had defended their positions with their credentials so Paul gives his. His credentials came through pain and suffering - blood, sweat, and tears. He has given his life for the Gospel and that is his defense. *** Lord, may we boldly proclaim God’s message to our generation. May we bring hope and salvation to the lost and weary. Thank you that you always save a remnant of believers to carry on your work. May we be that remnant.