Thurs.’s Devo - We Look to the Lord

Read: Isaiah 8:1-9:21; 2 Corinthians 12:1-10; Psalm 55:1-23; Proverbs 23:4-5 The Lord led Isaiah to make a huge sign with the word Maher-shalalhash-baz which translates “quickly the spoil; speedy is prey.” This would be the name of his son his wife was carrying. Before the child could talk, Assyria would take the riches of Damascus and Samaria. They were the countries who had threatened to attack Jerusalem. *** God speaks to Judah and tells them how he loved them and wanted to be their God but they rejected him. So now, they will be destroyed and none of their attempts to stop it will work. *** God warned Isaiah not to perceive what was happening to them like everyone else was seeing it. All they saw was the bad. He was to keep his eyes on the Lord and fear him only. He was to remember and live by God’s teachings. *** In the future, Galilee of the Gentiles will be filled with glory. Those who have walked in darkness will see the light and rejoice. They will break the yoke of slavery from their backs and be oppressed no more. *** A child will be given to them also, and his name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. He will rule them with fairness and justice. (This, of course is Jesus.) *** Israel would be destroyed by the Assyrians and everyone from the leaders to the false prophets will be destroyed. Then people would attack one another and then devour their own children. The Lord will continue to attack them because they refuse to ask for his help. *** In Corinthians, Paul tells about how reluctant he is to tell them of visions he had of being taken up to the third heaven, because he would rather boast about his weakness. He is not trying to impress them with how great he is but in how much he needs Christ. He had a weakness that kept him on his knees. Every time he prayed that it would be taken away, God said his grace was all he needed and that God works best through weakness. *** Lord, may we never forget that we need you every day, every hour, every minute. You are our strength and our Lord. Our eyes are on you.