Thurs.’s Devo - Every Knee Will Bow -

Read: Isaiah 25:1-28:13; Galatians 3:10-22; Psalm 61:1-8; Proverbs 23:17-18

Chapter 25 is a song of praise that all God’s children through the ages can sing. It is especially for the last days that we are living in. The city that has fallen is symbolic for Babylon and evil. God makes a feast on Mt. Zion for the righteous and they will celebrate the end of death. All sorrow and oppression will be gone. Our salvation has come and sin and pride will be destroyed along with all of God’s enemies. 

In Chapter 26, Jerusalem is the strong city of Salvation. We will live in perfect peace of mind. God’s judgments, laws and ways will be taught and lived by. The wicked will be ashamed and judged. Even their remembrance will be wiped out of the earth. But the righteous dead will live again. 

God encourages them to hide for a while while he judges the wicked with his fury. He will punish Leviathan who is the creature of chaos in ancient mythology. He is referring to Satan whom he will slay. But, his pleasant vineyard, his people he will watch over and keep safe. Both Judah and Israel will be fruitful and purged of evil. Their guilt and shame will be forgiven and cleansed. 

The trumpet will sound and the righteous will come to Jerusalem to worship the Lord on his holy mountain. The pride and foolishness of man will be gone and all will worship the Lord as king. He is just and mighty.  The false prophet and the defiled priests will be judged by the army of Assyria. 

The unbelievers had criticized Isaiah as a stammerer who said the same thing over and over, treating them like children. They refused to listen to what Isaiah said even though he gave it to them what God said line by line. Now, his words will be their undoing. They will be judged for not listening to his clear message. 

In Galatians, Paul says that all who rely on the law to save them are under a curse. The law says that they must do every one of the laws to save them. Paul tells them that it is the righteous who live by faith. Jesus redeemed us from the curse of the law. He became the curse for us because the law says that everyone who is crucified is cursed. Through him we can all receive the blessing of Abraham even if we are Gentiles. 

The promise was given to Abraham and his off-spring. Jesus was one of his offspring and we are one of Christ’s off-spring. 

The promise to Abraham was given before the law existed. The law was given later as an intermediary until Christ could come. The law could not give life or righteousness; they come only by faith in Jesus Christ. 

Lord, thank you that we are living in the time of grace and faith. Thank you for Jesus who became the curse for us that we might experience the grace of forgiveness and life. May we extend this truth to those we meet today.

Wed.’s Devo - What Does the Lord Say?

Read: Isaiah 22:1-24:23; Galatians 2:17-3:9; Psalm 60:1-12; Proverbs 23:15-16

Chapter 22 is a proclamation against Jerusalem which is referred to as the valley of vision. Jerusalem was about to be attacked and destroyed by Sennacherib, the king of Assyria. Sennacherib had rallied many nations against Jerusalem and they were coming to bring great damage to Judah and Jerusalem. 

Hezekiah was the king of Judah. He had dissembled houses to fortify the wall. He had built a tunnel inside the wall to keep Assyria from poisoning their water supply and so that the Assyrian army would find no water for themselves. They kept their weapons in the House of the Forest, but those were no protection compared to God. Isaiah rebukes the nation for not trusting in God, though Hezekiah did turn to the Lord in the future. Isaiah had warned them this was coming but they continued living like there was no threat. 

Now the time of partying was over and the threat was at the gate. Sheba was the king’s steward and treasurer and judgement fell on him because he didn’t trust in the Lord. He had built an elaborate tomb to be buried in, but his body would not see that tomb. He would die a violent death because he was not a good steward who prepared his nation for the future. He would be replaced by Eliakim who was a type of Christ. He would bring honor back to the nation and to his office as steward. 

God had a word for Tyre. It was the export-import city by the sea, also known as Phoenicia. It was a very prosperous seaport who had great power and great sin. They worshiped Baal and Ashtoreth which required child sacrifices and all sorts of abominations. God was very angry at their pride and arrogance. God was done with them. They would be fallen for 70 years then rise to prosperity once again only to have that prosperity go to the godly. 

In Chapter 24, God’s judgment filled the earth and only a few would survive. It is a time of great sadness and desolation. But the remnant will sing and praise the Lord. God will punish the wicked and they will go to the pit as prisoners. Then, the Lord will reign on earth in Jerusalem.

In Galatians, Paul explains that grace is not a license to sin but a call to die of self and live for Christ. It is a call to surrender. He explains how the Holy Spirit was freely poured out on them; they had done nothing to get it. That is how God’s grace is. Salvation is poured out on us along with his grace to receive it. It changes our hearts so that we no longer want to live by our flesh, but by faith like Abraham did. We are the sons of Abraham who will bless the nations because of our faith.

Lord, may our faith bless those around us. May we not waver in the days of judgment and shaking but stand in Christ, our Rock.

Tues.’s Devo - God’s Grace

Read: Isaiah 19:1-21:17; Galatians 2:1-16; Psalm 59:1-17; Proverbs 23:13-14

Egypt had long been an enemy of God’s people. God often warned his people not to return to Egypt. Isaiah saw God getting ready to wage war against Egypt. He began by stirring up internal strife within Egypt to weaken them so that when he sent the Ethiopian Shabaka in 711 B.C., it would fall. 

Egypt depended on the Nile River for its livelihood and God caused it to fail. A drought causes famine and disease. Their false prophets spoke lies and their wise men gave bad counsel because they were not seeking God. 

In verse 16 it begins with “in that day” speaking of the day when the Egyptians will return to Yahweh as their God. Egypt, Israel and Assyria will repent and come to the Lord. This is in the future. God will heal Egypt and they will set up a pillar to the Lord at its border. The whole nation will turn to the Lord and God will make a way for Egypt and Assyria to fellowship together. Israel, Egypt and Assyria will all be one and be a blessing and be God’s people.

In Chapter 20, Isaiah returns to his time and warns Egypt and Ethiopia that the Assyrians are coming to invade their land and to warn Israel not to trust in the help of Egypt. 

In Chapter 21, the Wilderness of the Sea is referring to Babylon. In 703 B.C., Babylon was defeated by Sennacherib of Assyria. This is terrible news to Israel who knows she is next. Isaiah responds to this like a woman in labor. He warns them to set a watch for the enemy day and night. 

A warning goes out to Edom and Arabia about the coming Assyrians. There was an oasis city in Arabia called Tema, who is being called upon to help the refugees who will escape the Assyrians. Arabia will be taken in a year.

In Galatians, Paul is still giving his life story.  After his salvation he had spent 14 years in the regions of Syria and Cilicia before coming to Jerusalem. The churches of Judea had heard that he was now preaching the gospel of Jesus and had rejoiced.

When Paul came to Jerusalem he brought Barnabas and Titus with him. Titus was a Greek and he was told by some of the Judaizers who had infiltrated the church that he must be circumcised, but they didn’t give in to the lie. Paul had been called by God to preach to the Gentiles and Peter had been called to preach to the Jews. It took some explaining, but James, Cephas and John who were the pillars of the church understood the grace that Paul preached and received them as their brothers in Christ. 

Paul had to confront Cephas when he arrived at Antioch because he was two-faced. He ate with the Gentiles, but when the Jewish leaders showed up, he only ate with Jews. Paul called him out for being a hypocrite. He explained that a person is not justified by doing the law but by faith in Jesus Christ.

Lord, may we remember that when we are condemned by Satan. May we remember that our salvation is because of our faith, not our works. Thank you for grace. 

Mon.’s Devo - The Grace of God

Read: Isaiah 15:1-18:7; Galatians 1:1-24; Psalm 58:1-11; Proverbs 23:12

This prophecy was thought to have been delivered in the first years of Hezekiah’s reign over Judah. It was fulfilled in the fourth year. Moab had probably joined with Israel and Syria against Assyria and now Assyria had come to conquer it. Ar was one of Moab’s great metropolis which was taken very quickly by Assyria. The survivors and others in the country had fled to their high places in Debon and Medeba and to their temple in Nebo  to pray to their god Chemosh.

They were taken so quickly that even the armed men gave up the fight and joined in the lament. The people traveled to their southern boundary which is the Dead Sea, but there is no water to drink or grass. 

Isaiah is grieved to see this happening even to their enemies. The refugees of Moab come to Judah for escape. They had stopped sending lambs for tribute, but are now bringing them in hopes that Judah will receive their gifts and help them. Isaiah tells the to let the outcasts of Moab in and be a shelter to them. He speaks of the day when a throne established in love will one day judge in justice and in righteousness. What a picture of the Gentiles coming into the kingdom. 

Isaiah sees Moab praying to their god which will not help them. He sees that in the next three years, Moab will be reduced to a very few.

Then Isaiah has a word for Damascus, the capital of Syria. He says they will cease to be a city. He sees that what happened to Israel will happen to Syria. Israel had fallen and Damascus was next. 

Finally, the people of Israel will stop looking to their false gods and idols and return to their God who created them to be his children. When their cities are deserted and destroyed, they will seek refuge in the Lord, their rock. 

God will do a great pruning of his people. Then, instead of giving tribute to some other king to keep them safe, they will bring their tribute to the Lord. 

Galatia is an area which includes the town of Antioch Iconium, Lystra and Derbe. Paul addresses his letter to them. Paul probably wrote this letter on his third missionary journey while he was in Macedonia or Corinth. 

The Judaizers in the church were the legalists who taught that the people were still obligated to keep all the law of Moses. They said that God’s promises were only to the Jews and the Gentiles had to be circumcised to experience salvation. They taught that one must have the law and faith to be saved.

This was the opposite of what Paul taught that salvation was by grace through faith. This letter was Paul’s reaction to their evil propaganda. He begins by extending grace to them. He is astonished that they have so quickly received this message of bondage which he calls a different gospel. 

Paul reminds them of his testimony. He used to be the greatest of Judaizers and it led him to persecute the church. But then, he got a download from heaven about the grace of God. He spent three years in Arabia learning about Christ before he came back to preach the truth about faith and grace. 

Lord, may we not be tempted to come under bondage again to the law but live in your grace and freedom. Thank you for the truth of your goodness and grace. 

Sun.’s Devo - The Fall of the King of Babylon

Read: Isaiah 12:1-14:32; 2 Corinthians 13:1-14; Psalm 57:1-11; Proverbs 23:9-11

The day will come when God’s wrath is over and his people will rejoice and sing praises to him once again. They will call on his name and sing for joy.

Isaiah saw the fall of Babylon. God had used them to judge the nations and now it was time to judge them. God is calling forth his host to fight Babylon and destroy their whole land. This is what is called the “Day of the Lord” throughout scripture. It is when God takes out all his wrath on Satan and his followers. All evil and arrogance and pride will be brought down and their lives will be over. Man will become scarce as many will die. The land of Babylon will be completely destroyed and all life gone. 

God will bless his people and set them in their own land again. They will rule over the ones who once oppressed them. God will give his people rest. Then they will taunt the king of Babylon. They will sing for joy and even the trees will rejoice. 

Sheol will meet the king of Babylon with taunts also. They will mock him who was once full of pride and power. He had boasted that he would become more powerful than God and become the God of the earth. But now he is cast down to his grave into the pit to be trampled on. All his sons will be slaughtered because of what their father did. Their posterity will be cut off. 

The king of Babylon is a type of Satan who thinks he rules the earth. He is about to be taken down. His rule is coming to an end!

In verse 28, Isaiah has a prophecy about the Philistines to comfort the people of Judah. The Philistines had taken some of the towns in southern Judah when Ahaz was king, but Isaiah is proclaiming that they will be kicked out, which they were in the reign of Hezekiah. 

In Corinthians, Paul is giving a warning to those who hadn’t repented during his last two visits.  He will not spare them when he comes the third time. He wants them to do some self-examination before he gets there and reminds them that Jesus is their judge. He is praying for their restoration and prays that they will have purged themselves before he and his helpers comes so they can build them up instead of tearing them down.

Their goal should be to restore and comfort one anther so they can live in peace. 

Lord, may that be our goal to restore, comfort and love one another so that we may all live in peace as the family of God. Thank you that you are destroying our enemies from the earth and restoring your kingdom on earth. 

Sat.’s Devo - God’s Hand of Judgment

Read: Isaiah 10:1-11:16; 2 Corinthians 12:11-21; Psalm 56:1-13; Proverbs 23:6-8

Isaiah addressed the ones who wrote laws that oppressed the poor and didn’t protect the widow and the orphan. It will not go well for these lawmakers. Their money will not be able to buy them out of judgement. 

God was using Assyria to be his hand of judgment. He would send them to Israel to carry out his fury on them. In verse 9 Isaiah compared a city in Syria like a city in Assyria, a walled city to a city that was all spread out, and the capital of Israel to the capital of Syria. They all had idols and were destroyed because of them. Should God not do the same to Jerusalem who was full of idols?

When it is all over, then God will punish Assyria who he used to punish the nations. They will boast that they conquered all these nations but God was the one who did it. God will punish Assyria with a plague among their troops. They will be judged in a day. Their nation will be destroyed in soul and body. 

A remnant of Israel and those who survived the fall of Jerusalem will turn to the Lord and lean on him. He told his remnant not to be afraid of what the Assyrians were doing because they would not last long. They will soon be gone and the burden of them lifted off their shoulders. God will destroy Lebanon.

But the remnant will be the branch of the Lord. The Spirit of the Lord will rest upon them and God will send his Spirit, his Spirit of wisdom and understanding, his Spirit of counsel and might, and his Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. He will judge the poor and decide what is just and fair for the meek of the earth. He will kill the wicked and righteousness and faithfulness will reign in the earth. There will be peace among the animals and no fear of harm. The whole earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord.

God will call his people home to Israel. There will be peace in the Middle East. Their enemies will be under them. The Red Sea will be divided into seven channels and God will lead his people across it. There will be a highway from Assyria for God’s people to come to Israel.

In Corinthians, Paul defends his position as an apostles and reminds them of the signs and wonders and mighty works they did. He reminds them of the ones he sent to them like Titus and asks if they in any way took advantage of them. 

He fears that if he comes to see them he will be disappointed that they have not repented of the impurity, sexual immorality and sensuality they practiced. He also thinks they might be disappointed in him that he is not what they thought he would be. 

Like in our Psalm, Paul can say, “ God is for me, in him I put my trust. What can man do to me?”

Lord thank you that we will walk before you in the light of life. You delivered our soul from death and keep our feet from falling. We trust that you will bring us through to a better day.

Fri.’s Devo - A Child is Born

Read: Isaiah 8:1-9:21; 2 Corinthians 12:1-10; Psalm 55:1-23; Proverbs 23:4-5

I heard that many believe that Jesus was born on September 11th which was why they chose that day to blow up our trade center. I don’t know if this is the actual birthday of Christ or not but how interesting that we would read on this day that the prophesied child was born to the prophetess on this day. This was Isaiah’s wife. Isaiah called the child Maher-shalal-hash-bazaar which means “the spoil speeds, the prey hastens.” Isaiah said that before this child would know right and wrong, Samaria and Syria would be sacked by Assyria. Because Israel refused to repent, they would be overtaken by the army of Assyria like a flood.

Israel and Syria will plot and get ready to defend themselves but it will not help. They fear the Assyrians, but who they need to fear is God. Isaiah says he will hope in the Lord. Israel would seek their sorcerers and witches but they should seek the Lord.

The land of Zebulun and Naphtali had been weakened with foreigners who came into their land. But, in times to come these Gentiles and Jews will be the ones that Jesus would come to and teach them of his salvation. This child will be Emanuel and his name will also be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His government and kingship will last forever. The people of Samaria boasted of rebuilding better but God says they are boasting in vain. (Reminds me of Biden’s “Build Back Better” plan. God will use the Assyrians to devour them because they refused to turn to him. God would cut off the wisdom of the aged and the lies of the prophets in one day. Both of them had led Israel astray and both would die. No one would be spared young and old. They were all wicked.

In Corinthians, Paul then tells then of the visions he has seen. (Obviously these false prophets and apostles had told their stories of visions, so Paul is sharing his.) In Paul’s vision he was caught up to heaven and was told things he cannot share. To keep him from being conceited because of his visions, he was given a thorn in his flesh who harasses him. He calls him a messenger from Satan. He keeps him humble. He asked the Lord to take this demon away, but the Lord told him that his grace is sufficient for him. Paul knew that humility brings God’s power. When we are weak, we can depend upon God’s strength because it is great.

Lord, thank you for sending us your son. Thank you that you live in each of us making us strong in the midst of our weaknesses.