Fri.’s Devo - God’s Hand of Justice

Read: Isaiah 10:1-11:16; 2 Corinthians 12:11-21: Psalm 56:1-13; Proverbs 23:6-8 God begins today warning the unjust judges who unfairly deprived widows and orphans of justice. They would receive their punishment from the faraway land of Assyria. *** The army of Assyria was marching across the land destroying nation after nation. This army was God’s tool of bringing his justice to the world, then God would deal with them. Assyria was proud and arrogant and believed it was their own strength that brought them their victories, but they were mere tools in God’s hands. *** God would allow a remnant to return to Him. He encouraged those taken to Babylon not to worry when they were oppressed by the Babylonians because he would one day end their bondage. A new branch will grow who belongs to the family of David. This new branch will be Jesus who will have the seven Spirits of God: (1) the Spirit of God, (2) the spirit of Wisdom, (3) understanding, (4) the Spirit of counsel, (5) might, (6) The Spirit of knowledge, (7) and the fear of the Lord. Notice that the last six are coupled together because they are inseparable. You can’t have the Spirit of Wisdom without understanding or the Spirit of counsel without might, or the Spirit of knowledge without the fear of the Lord. *** Isaiah goes on to say that the Messiah would delight in obeying the Lord and will bring justice to the poor and those exploited. Nature will respond to his words and with his breath he will destroy the wicked. He will walk in righteousness and truth. *** He will cause peace and reconciliation where there has never been peace before, like between the lion and the lamb. This is speaking of what is happening right now as peace is being brought about all over the earth. *** It goes on to say that God’s standard will be raised in all the earth. Hallelujah! Revival will break out everywhere and God will gather his real Jews to Israel. The jealousy between Israel and Judah will be over. They will together plunder the ungodly and occupy their lands. God will make a way where there seems no way. *** In Corinthians, Paul is still talking about the “super apostles” who the people financed and thought so highly of. Paul is coming to see them for the third time as a father. He explains that fathers take care of their children, not vice versa. He doesn’t expect them to pay his way. Some of them had complained that he took advantage of them before. Paul promises that he only wants to see them grow stronger in Christ and everything he has done was for that purpose. He is praying that when he comes they have changed their evil ways and are walking in righteousness and love. *** May we be found strong and walking in love at the end of our journey. Thank you Lord, that you make a way where there seems no way.