Tues.’s Devo - God is Greater!

Read: Isaiah 41:17-43:13; Ephesians 2:1-22; Psalm 67:1-7; Proverb 23:29-35 When there is drought and the ground is unfruitful, God will water it and it will grow. The Lord challenges the ones who worship idols to present their case for them. Ask them what happened in the past and what is going to happen in the future. Ask them if they can respond in any way because they can’t. *** But, God was sending a ruler (Cyrus, Aka - Trump) who He would give power over all the nations. He will be good news to Israel. He will bring justice to the nations and will fight until the whole earth is full of justice. He will free those who are in prisons in dark dungeons. *** Their idols couldn’t predict the future but God can. He told them to rejoice because a new day was coming. The Lord was coming to be their hero and he would win. He would bring down the lofty who ruled and dry up their plans, but he would bring deliverance for his people. *** God rebuked his people for knowing what was right and still not following it. God sees their state and how they have been robbed, plundered, imprisoned and trapped. He asked them how this happened then answered his own question. It was their sin that caused them to get in this condition. They had refused to walk in the path the Lord had for them. So, God destroyed them in battle. *** But now… God was ransoming them back to him. He would be with them in their difficulties and help them through their trials. He would gather them where they had been scattered and bring them home. *** God would call out the ones who worshiped idols and ask them if they ever told the truth. His true witnesses were called to know the truth and they would testify of who God is. Nothing will be able to stop the Lord’s plans. *** In Ephesians, Paul explains that the world obeys the devil who commands powers in the unseen world. He works in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. We were one of his subjects until Jesus rescued us because of his great mercy. We are now God’s witnesses to the world. *** It is God’s great mercy and grace that saved us, not something we earned. Paul reminds the Gentiles to remember where they came from. They had not grown us having the law read to them or hearing the stories of the patriarchs. They were labeled as “uncircumcised heathens” by the Jews. But now they are both are citizens of heaven. He has brought peace to both the Jew and the Gentile as he brought us all into his family. Praise the Lord! *** Lord, thank you for reconciling us to you. We are so grateful to be called your children. May our lives witness to who you are and your greatness.