Wed.’s Devo - The Promise

Read: Isaiah 25:1-28:13; Galatians 3:10-22; Psalm 61:1-8; Proverbs 23:17-18 Isaiah continues praising God for delivering them from Babylon and setting up his new kingdom. God has torn down the mighty nations that defied the Lord, but has been a tower of refuge for his people during it. *** In Jerusalem, God will spread a feast just like Psalm 23 says, “He prepares a table for us in the presence of our enemies.” No longer do the heathen rage with their taunts and lies. The cloud of oppression is gone and sorrow will be replaced with joy. The people will openly declare that God is good and He is their God. *** People in Judah will sing of the walls of salvation, God’s peace and faithfulness. God has made the crooked ways straight and smooth. Righteousness and kindness will return to the land, God will be their ruler and make their nation great again. Those that died in the Lord will be resurrected to new life. *** This is their promise, and until it manifests on the earth, they are told to stay safe at home. God is going to be punishing the wicked and rounding up the offenders. The murderers will be exposed for all the world to see. *** God will punish Leviathan - the dragon of Revelation, the serpent of Genesis. But, God will watch over his remnant that he calls his vineyard. He will burn up its briers and thorns and water it from heaven. Israel will fill the whole earth with its fruits. *** God didn’t punish Israel as he judges other nations. He exiled her to purge her of her wickedness. All of her pagan altars will be crushed to dust and Jerusalem would lay empty until the 70 years were complete. Then, the Lord will gather them and bring them back home where they will worship the Lord on his holy mountain. *** Samaria had become a proud city of drunks. All reason and wisdom was lost in the wine they consumed. They complained at the words of the prophets who always said the same thing - repent. Samaria will be trampled and destroyed. In time, Samaria would be restored with a desire for justice and love for the Lord. *** In Galatians, Paul explained that if you want to live by the law then you are choosing a curse because the law requires that you follow it to the tee. Any discrepancy and you are doomed. They law was not given to make a person righteous - only faith can do that. *** Christ rescued us from the curse of the law on the cross. He was cursed so we could be blessed. God gave Abraham the promise that his seed would bring a blessing to the whole world. He was talking about Jesus. The law was not even in effect till 430 years later when God gave the law to Moses. Moses was the mediator between God and man to help God and man reach an agreement. But God didn’t use a mediator when he gave the promise to Abraham. So which is better the law or the promise? The promise is better because the law brought death and the promise brings life. *** Lord, thank you for the promise of everlasting life and your presence that is always with us. May we be witnesses to the world of your love that dwells in us.