Fri.’s Devo - God’s Rescue Plan

Read: Isaiah 30:12-33:9; Galatians 5:1-12; Psalm 63:11: Proverbs 23:22 Israel sent ambassadors to Egypt to pay them to help them against the Assyrians that were on their way to Jerusalem. They hadn’t even considered asking the Lord for help. God was tired of being ignored and his prophets rejected. He sent Isaiah to tell them that they would be destroyed by their enemy and the only hope they had was to return to him. He had waited and would continue to wait for them to come to him. If they returned to him, he promised to help them and respond to their prayers He would teach them the way to go and bless their harvests with plenty. *** When the Lord comes to rescue them, he will be full of anger against their enemies. They will be lead away to die. *** But, God’s people will sing songs of joy because God has destroyed their enemies with his royal scepter. Woe to those who trusted in Egypt to rescue them. That is like saying, ‘woe to us who trust in any man to rescue us.’ Only God can do that. He can use a man, but God will be behind him and it will be His power that does it. Isaiah said Egypt’s power was puny flesh, not mighty spirits. It is God’s army that will win our victory for us. *** Isaiah sees the day when Israel will throw away their idols and return to the Lord. The army of the Lord will destroy their enemies, and even the Assyrians will tremble and run. God will give them a righteous king to rule them. Honest princes will rule under his rule and the people will get the truth instead of ‘fake news’. The ungodly will not be the heroes of the day. They oppressed the poor and took advantage of the underdog. God will exalt those who will give freely of what they have. *** Isaiah had a word to the women of ease who were lazy and complacent. They will see their luxuries taken from them and lose all their riches. Their cities will lay desolate and become homes to wild animals. *** When the time of bondage is over, God will pour out his Spirit on his people and justice and righteousness will rule the people. They will live in safety and peace forever. God will greatly bless his people. *** The Assyrian who were like the Deep State of our day will be destroyed. They had never been the one betrayed until now. They had always been powerful and the terror of the whole earth. They will run at the sound of God’s voice. God will give us his salvation, wisdom, and knowledge. *** At the time of Isaiah’s prophecy, the Assyrians had broken their peace treaty with Israel and Israel was mourning because destruction was all around them. *** In Galatians, Paul warns us to remain in our state of being free in Christ. There is no act we can do to make ourselves righteous. They kept getting hung up over circumcision, but we all have our self-made laws that keep us from enjoying the freedom we have in Christ. It all goes back to faith in Christ. *** Lord, may we live freely in our walk with you. May we enjoy your presence and all your blessings. Thank you that you are ending the reign of our enemies and you are exalting us to reign with you on this earth. May we be generous and full of love.