Mon.’s Devo - Restoration of Righteousness

Read: Isaiah 1:1-2:22; 2 Corinthians 10:1-18; Psalm 52:1-9; Proverbs 22:26-27 Isaiah prophesied through the reign of four kings. Uzziah ruled 52 years. Jotham ruled 16 years. Ahaz ruled 16 years and Hezekiah ruled 29 years. All were considered “good” kings except Ahaz. *** Isaiah saw what was coming as a result of the rebellion of his people. In spite of the kings’ reforms and their efforts in trying to bring the people back to the Lord, Isaiah saw that their rebellion was going to lead them to ruin. He saw that their enemies would invade and destroy everything. Jerusalem would be abandoned and if the Lord doesn’t leave a remnant, it will be totally been wiped out. He compares what he sees coming to the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. *** Jerusalem which was supposed to be the center of the worship of Jehovah had turned into a place of religious rituals that God hated. He called their worship sinful, disgusting and false. They only made the person feel pious. *** Isaiah told them to repent and give up their evil ways. Their sins were like scarlet but he wanted to make them white as snow. God wanted to bless them with plenty. *** God compared Jerusalem to a harlot, filled with murderers who loved bribes and refused to defend the helpless widow and orphan. God was going to defend them himself. He would remove all these leaders and turn Jerusalem back into a Home of Justice. They would be known was the Faithful City restored to justice and righteousness. The rebels and sinners would be completely destroyed. *** In the last days, the Lord will be magnified above everything. Peace will be mediated between the nations and war will be a thing of the past. Human pride will be humbled and only the Lord will be exalted. The leaders will be brought low and all will be judged. Their idols will be destroyed and their worshipers will try to escape God’s terror when he shakes the earth. *** We are living in that hour of history. We are literally seeing President Trump broker peace with nations that have been at war with one another for generations. They are now making trade alliances and shaking hands. We are watching as the Deep State tries to run and hide in underground cities. We are seeing idolatry and all sorts of evil exposed and dealt with. Righteousness is once again becoming the standard. This is going to take time to rebuild and restore, but we are on our way to a new age where Jesus is our king. *** In Corinthians, Paul reminds us that we don’t fight like mere humans with tangible weapons, but we wage war in the Spirit with spiritual weapons. We destroy pride that keeps people from turning to God. We capture rebellious thoughts and replace them with the knowledge of Christ. *** In Corinth, the church had been invaded by leaders who taught them to obey them because they were the supreme teachers with all the goods. Paul points out that godly authority comes from above and points to Jesus, not a person. The only thing we can boast in is Christ. *** Lord, help us to not take credit for anything. To you belongs all the glory and praise. Thank you for the day we are living in where we will see everything put under your feet. May we humbly walk through this season with our spiritual eyes open and our spiritual ears hearing your voice. May we walk in your authority and power.