Sat.’s Devo - The Time of God’s Favor -

Read: Isaiah 48:12-50:11; Ephesians 4:17-32; Psalm 69:1-18; Proverbs 24:5-6

The Lord confirms that he loves Cyrus and through Him, Cyrus will carry out God’s purpose concerning Babylon. God will lead Cyrus and he will prosper him in what he does. 

God laments that if Israel had obeyed him and been faithful to worship only him as their Lord, they would have lived in peace and would have multiplied. They would not have been destroyed or oppressed. But they rebelled, so they ended up captives in Babylon for 70 years. But, now God is calling them out of Babylon. He is redeeming them once again. Now, there will be no peace for the wicked. God raised up Isaiah to proclaim that he is bringing Israel back home. They will be a light to the nations that God’s salvation might be spread to the ends of the earth.

Israel was once despised among the nations but in the time of God’s favor everything will be reversed. They will be brought out of prison and their oppressors will honor and serve them. God will call his children from the far corners of the earth to return to Israel and return to him. He has not forgotten them. They will come back in hoards and there will be so many that there will not be enough room for all of them. Then God will oppress those who oppressed them. 

Isaiah testifies of how the Lord has sustained him because he trusted in him. He invites others to trust in the Lord and walk in his light.

In Ephesians, Paul tells the Ephesians not to walk in the dark but also to walk in the light of all they taught them about Christ. He tells them to let the spirit of their mind be renewed as they put on Christ who was created in God’s likeness in true righteousness and holiness.

He tells them to stop lying and tell the truth. Stop getting angry and forgive. Stop letting the devil steal from them and be honest in their work. Stop talking crudely and speak grace. Be kind and forgive so they will not grieve the Holy Spirit who sealed them for the day of redemption. 

Lord, may look forward to living in the days of your favor. May you reverse the curse that has been on the world because of our rebellion. May we turn back to you and witness the reversal of evil. May your kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven.

Fri.’s Devo - God’s Day

Read: Isaiah 45:11-48:11; Ephesians 4:1-16; Psalm 68:19-53; Proverbs 24:3-4

God tells us to ask what is going to happen in the future. He made the earth and put man to live on it. He raised up Cyrus as a type of Jesus. He would rebuild Jerusalem and free God’s people to return home. He will do this freely, not for a reward.

Cyrus would be given the wealth of Egypt, Cush (Ethiopia) and the Sabeans (Iran, Iraq). They will surrender to him and say that his God is the only God. The nations that worshiped false gods will be disgraced, but those who trust in the Lord will be saved.

God did not create the world to be a place of empty chaos like he found it in Genesis. He created it to be inhabited by his people. God calls the worshipers of false idols to come and present their case before him. Who was the one who told them all this would happen? It was not their idols, it was the Lord.

God calls everyone in the world to turn to him willingly, because they will all bow before him whether they want to or not. They will either do it in shame or in worship.

Cyrus brought down the worship of Baal as Chapter 46 says.  He defies the worship of idols. God is the only god who declares the end from the beginning. He tells the prophets what will happen in the far future. 

In Chapter 47, Isaiah speaks of Babylon’s fall. Their hidden sin will be exposed so all can see. God had given his people into the hands of the Babylonians because he was angry at their rebellion. They showed the Hebrews no mercy and dishonored their elderly. So, two things will come upon them suddenly in a day: the loss of their children and their spouses. They trusted in their sorceries and wickedness and thought they could charm their way out of trouble. Their incantations will be nothing to the Lord. He will burn them with his fire and they will not be able to deliver themselves from his power. 

In Chapter 48, God is speaking to his people, Jacob who were rebellious and refused to worship him as their God. They swore by his name and talked about God, but they did not know him in truth or in righteousness. He was going to do something they had never seen before so they couldn’t say that they saw that coming. God would not cut them off, but he would not share his glory with these people. 

Many prophets are talking about the “Great and Terrible Day of the Lord” that is coming. This is what we just read about. It will happen in a day. The righteous will be saved but the wicked will be dealt with by God. It will be terrible for them but great for us.

In Ephesians, Paul explains what Christ did when he left the earth. He first went down to hell and led a host of captives to heaven with him. All who were righteous because of their faith in God were raised with Christ. In Matthew, it tells us that some of these resurrected men walked the streets of Jerusalem until Christ rose. 

Jesus also distributed his gifts to his disciples on the earth. The made some of the apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some shepherds and some teachers to do the ministry of building up his body on the earth. The goal is for us to be unified in the faith and knowledge of Christ and to mature into the fullness of Christ on the earth. Then we won’t be tossed to and fro by every wave of doctrine that comes along.

Paul admonishes us to speak the truth in love so that we might grow up into him as a healthy body with him as our head. 

Lord, may we be led in love. May we be prepared for the great and terrible day that lies ahead. May we not be afraid but excited about what you are doing on the earth. We were put on earth for this time in your story. All praise and glory be to your name. 

Thurs.’s Devo - God’s Purpose on the Earth

Read: Isaiah 43:14-45:10; Ephesians 3:1-21; Psalm 68:1-18; Proverbs 24:1-2

God said he would take down the Babylonians for Israel’s sake. He reminds them of how he led them out of Egypt and led them across the Red Sea on dry ground. Then he provided water or them in the desert and led them. But, they didn’t worship him or give him anything in return. 

God forgave then their sins. He reminds them that their first ancestor Adam sinned against him, and all their leaders turned against him, so he profaned their priests and turned over Judah to be destroyed and Israel to be shamed. 

But now, he will help them and pour his Spirit upon their offspring and bless their descendants. They will call upon the name of the Lord and honor his name. 

Those who make idols and worship them will all be put to shame and humiliated. They made gods from wood and stone and actually believed them could help them. but, these idols are worthless and the ones who worship them are deceived. 

He calls them to remember that God made them and he has not forgotten them. He will once again forgive their sins and restore them. He will make fools of false prophets and those who think they are so wise. He will carry out the prophecies of his chosen prophets. The earth will respond with singing and joy. God will rebuild Jerusalem and send Cyrus to proclaim it. Cyrus will open the doors of trade to other nations who will greatly fear him. God will go before him and level the power of the ones ruling the world. He will crush their power and give Cyrus hidden treasures no one knew about. God will do this so Cyrus will know that he is the God of Israel. God will do this for the sake of his chosen people. Even though Cyrus didn’t know the Lord, he will use him, equip him and lead him to do his will. 

President Trump is a type of Cyrus and God is doing though him everything he did through Cyrus. President Trump is leveling the power of the ones who have wielded the power over the nations. He is opening trade to countries we have never traded with and they are afraid of him. God is giving him riches beyond what we have seen and we are entering into a Golden Era just like he proclaimed. It is glorious to see. God is doing all this for the sake of his chosen people.

God makes sure we know that he is the creator of light and darkness. He is the one who sends good times and bad times. The heavens will pour out righteousness so that the earth can receive it and bear righteous fruit. 

It will not go well for those who fight what God is doing. We must not argue with who God choses to use and why. Our job is to trust the Lord and his ways.

In Ephesians, Paul talks about the mystery of Christ. The mystery was that Christ was sent to the Gentiles the same as he was sent to the Jews. God’s plan was to save the world with his gospel. 

Paul was given grace to be a minister of this truth and to share the good news to the Gentiles as well as the Jew. It is God’s plan which had been hidden for ages to be revealed through the church. They would be his witnesses to the rulers and authorities in heavenly places. This was all realized in Christ Jesus our Lord. Now we have confidence through our faith in him. Paul prays that every chosen person in heaven and on earth to be strengthened with power in his Spirit so that Christ may live in their hearts. This revelation will help them to comprehend how great and expansive the love of God is and that they be filled with all the fulness of God. 

Lord, you are able to do so much more than we can even know to ask you to do. According to your power, may you work in us your glory and may it spread to all generations.  

Wed.’s Devo - God is the Only God!

Read: Isaiah 41:17-43:13; Ephesians 2:1-22; Psalm 677:1-7; Proverbs 23:29-35

God said that when his people get thirsty enough for him, he will answer them. He will send rivers of refreshing and food that they did not know of. God will bring provision in places we had no idea there was any. The earth is his and he will provide. The gods of this world cannot do this. Those who choose false gods to tell them their future will be disappointed. 

In Chapter 42, God tells then that he is sending his servant who will have his Spirit. He will bring justice and truth. He will be the light for the nations to open their eyes and bring them out of bondage. He is telling them this before it happens so they will be looking for it. He is speaking of Jesus the Messiah.

This is reason to sing and praise him. When it is time for God to act, he acts. Those in power (the mountains) will be brought down. Their sources of money will be stopped. The ones who were under their spell will have their eyes opened and God will guide them into truth - the light. Those who trusted in false gods will be humiliated.

Isaiah sees the oppressed people as hopeless and plundered but God brings them hope. God had given them over to their oppressors because they had forsaken the Lord. But now, he is going to restore them. He will bring them through to their deliverance. He will bring them back to Israel and no one can stop what God is doing. Israel is his witnesses to the nations of who he is. 

What hope! This is what is happening in the earth today! We are waking up to the fact that we have been slaves to an evil one world government and we are breaking free of the mind-controlling matrix. Glory Hallelujah!

In Ephesians, Paul talks about our spiritual break-through. We were once blind and dead in our sin. But, we heard the truth and broke out of Satan’s mind-controlling matrix of sin. We have been made alive in Christ who saved us by his grace and mercy. We are created for good works. 

Jesus came and brought the Jew and the Gentile together as one new man. He broke the hostility of the two and brings peace. We both have access to the Father and are citizens of his kingdom. Jesus is the cornerstone of this new building that God is building on the earth by his Spirit.

Lord, may we hear your voice and do your will. Thank you for salvation and forgiveness. Thank you for what you are doing in our day. It is truly a miracle of grace. May we join with what you are doing. We are your witnesses that you are the only God.

Tues.’s Devo - Good News!

Read: Isaiah 39:1-41:16; Ephesians 1:1-23; Psalm 66:1-20; Proverbs 23;25-28

The king of Babylon heard that Hezekiah had been sick and miraculously recovered so he sent envoys to congratulate him and give him gifts. Hezekiah, in his pride, showed them everything he owned. 

When they left, Isaiah came to Hezekiah and asked him who had come to visit him and what had he showed them. Hezekiah told him and Isaiah said that everything he showed them would one day be taken to Babylon along with some of his sons who would be made eunuchs. Hezekiah was just glad it wouldn’t happen in his day since he only had 15 years. I would think that he would do something to prepare for this and pray it wouldn’t happen, but we don’t know if he did this or not.

The first 39 chapters of Isaiah are like the 39 books of the Old Testament and now everything changes in the 40th chapter. Isaiah prophecies the coming of John the Baptist who would be a voice in the wilderness telling the people to prepare their hearts because the Messiah was coming. Isaiah, like John the Baptist began proclaiming good news for Jerusalem. God was coming with power and his kingdom and his government. He would be a good shepherd who would care for his children. He is the creator of the earth. He is wisdom, knowledge, understanding and power. He rules the earth from heaven and will strengthen those who wait for him. He will trample kings under his foot and destroy them with his sword. He is the first and the last. Even the creation trembles before him. 

He tells Israel that he is with them and they have no reason to fear. He will help them and rid them of their enemies. Israel will once again rejoice in the Lord and see his glory.

Ephesians was written by Paul when he was in Rome awaiting his trial. It is called the Capstone of the New Testament  as it reveals the glory and majesty of Jesus. He begins by saying we were chosen before the foundation of the world to be his holy children. We were predestined to know him and be redeemed by his blood. Our sins are forgiven and we are given his wisdom, and insight into the mystery of his will through Christ. At just the right time all things will be brought together in him in heaven and on earth. 

Our inheritance is his will and was give to us at the time of our salvation. Paul prays that we might receive God’s Spirit of wisdom and the revelation of who God is. May the eyes of our hearts be enlightened to know the hope we have been called to and the glorious inheritance that is ours. Christ has been raised to sit at God’s right hand in heaven. All rule, authority, power and dominion and everything that is made is under him. He is the head of the church.

Lord, this causes us to do what the Psalm says, “Shout for joy to You and sing of your glory!” Thank you that you hear our prayers and you are answering them. You are bringing down the kingdom of evil and establishing your kingdom of righteousness and truth in the world. We give you all the glory as we look at what you are doing. Truly you rule over the nations!

Mon.’s Devo - Answered Prayer

Read: Isaiah 37:1-38:22; Galatians 61-18; Psalm 65:1-13; Proverbs 23:24

Hezekiah had just been told about the threats Rabshekeh made to his army. He immediately put on sack cloth and went into the house of the Lord to pray. He sent his officers to tell Isaiah what was going on to see what he had heard from the Lord.

Isaiah sent word back to Hezekiah that he should not fear what Rabshekeh was saying because God was going to make him hear a rumor and return to his own land where he will be killed.

Rabshekeh did return to Assyria to find his country fighting Libnah. He sent a letter to Hezekiah telling him not to think  his God could help him because none of the gods of other lands could help them. 

Hezekiah took his letter into the Temple and spread it out so God could read it. He prayed that God would save them. Isaiah was sent to answer his prayer. He told Hezekiah that because he prayed to God to help them and because the king of Assyria mocked him, He would put a bit in his mouth and turn him back the way he came. It was God who planned for Assyria to take down those other nations. It was God who fought with them. But, they had taken all the credit and it would not go well for them.

God told Hezekiah that they would live off the land for two years and in the third year they would sow and reap. There would be a group of survivors who would be God’s remnant and they would carry on their posterity.

Concerning the king of Assyria, he would not fire a shot against Jerusalem. He would leave the way he came. That very night the angel of the Lord struck down 185,000 of the men in the Assyrian army. Sennacherib left the way he came and when he returned home, two of his own sons killed him and escaped. Another son, Esarhaddon became king in his place. 

Hezekiah later became deathly ill and Isaiah came to tell him he would die so he needed to put his house in order. Hezekiah cried out to the Lord and reminded him of his faithfulness to him. God sent Isaiah back to tell Hezekiah he would extend his life another 15 years because he sought the Lord. As a sign he would do this he caused the shadow on the sun dial to go back ten steps. 

Isaiah showed Hezekiah how to apply a cake of fig to his boil and he recovered.

In Galatians, Paul taught them to restore believers who fell into sin and repented. They were to do it gently with compassion. They were to humbly bear one another’s burdens because no one is above trials and temptations. They would all need each other sooner or later. They were to bless their teachers and provide for them. They were not to ever stop doing good or being generous because everyone reaps what they sow. 

The only thing we have to boast in is that we are saved by the blood of Christ. Period.

Lord, may we boast in you and not in anything of ourselves. Thank you for your grace. May we trust only in you like Hezekiah did. Thank you that you hear our prayers and you answer them according to your grace and mercy.

Sun.’s Devo - The Day of the Lord

Read: Isaiah 33:13-36:22; Galatians 5:13-26; Psalm 64:1-10; Proverbs 23:23

This was the last prophecy about Sennacherib’s overthrow. The ones who were afraid were the sinners. But the righteous and those who speak what is right despise what the oppressors do. They refuse to take a bribe and do not delight in seeing evil. They will rise to the top and be blessed with all they need. They will see the Lord, but the evil people they will not see again. The foreigners who came into their borders will be gone. Jerusalem will stand immovable and protected. God will be their place of refuge and beauty. The Lord will be their judge, lawgiver and king. He will save them. God’s people will divide the spoil and even the lame will get their part. No one will be sick and they will all be forgiven their iniquities. 

God is filled with anger and wrath at the evil nations and their gods. He has devoted them to destruction and their blood will fill the earth. Their sin reached heaven and it is now time to punish the wicked. This is the day of God’s vengeance when he judges the world in a day but recompenses the righteous for a year. It is the terrible day of the Lord. Many prophets are saying we are coming to that day very soon when in a day, the evil people will be gone. 

The wild animals will possess the lands of the enemies of God. Kingdoms will be gone and only thorns will be left in their place. Then the land will rejoice because she can enjoy her rest. The desert will bloom like a rose and there will be joy and singing. The world will see the glory of the Lord. Those who didn’t have eyes to see the truth will be able to see and those who didn’t have ears to hear will be able to hear the truth. Those who could not sing because of fear will be able to sing. 

The way of righteousness will be holiness. We will not have to worry about the devil devouring us. We will walk as the redeemed and return with singing and joy. 

Chapter 36 tells us how all this worked out for them in Isaiah’s day. Sennacherib took the fortified cities of Judah and sent his officer, Rabshekeh to Jerusalem to give them the king’s message. He shouted to the men on the wall his message to King Hezekiah. He boasted of all they had conquered. He told them that they should not tell him that they were trusting in the Lord because Hezekiah had had them remove all their places of worship and only lets them worship at the altar in Jerusalem. Even if Assyria was to give them horses to ride, they would be no match for his army. They trusted Egypt to help them, but that didn’t work either. He even boasted that the Lord had told them to take Jerusalem and destroy it. 

The officers of Jerusalem asked Rabshekeh to please speak in Aramaic and not Hebrew so the men on the wall couldn’t hear their boasts but they said they wanted them to hear what they had to say since it affected them. They offered the men on the wall land and vineyards and their own cistern if they would surrender to them. They were offering Socialism to them. They reminded the men on the wall that the other nation’s gods couldn’t help them so why would they think their god was any stronger. 

The men on the wall didn’t respond because they had been ordered not to engage in words with them. 

This story is such a great one for us to read today. Our enemy is loud and obnoxious and a liar. He wants to intimidate and wear us down. He offers us provision as a bribe but it is only a trap to control us more. Satan and his follwers have no power, but we have it all because we have the Lord on our side. We have nothing to fear. 

In Galatians, Paul talks about our greatest weapon which is love. We don’t war as our enemy does with hatred and carnal weapons. Our weapons are mighty to the pulling down of strongholds. If we keep love in our hearts, we will win. 

Paul gives a list of all the works of the flesh which are evident in our world. The fruit of our lives is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. No law can fight these spiritual fruits. 

Lord, may we live in the fruit of your Spirit manifesting your fruit. May we be humble and not provoke one another or envy what another has. May we be content in your will for our lives. Prepare us for the days ahead. We trust in you as the commander of the Lord’s army.

Sat.’s Devo - God’s Wrath on the Nations and His Promise to his Remnant

Read: Isaiah 30:12-33:12; Galatians 5:1-12; Psalm 63:1-11; Proverbs 23:22

Isaiah warned them that because they refused to hear the word of the Lord and trusted in oppressing the poor and living according to their own laws instead of God’s, their lives were about to be destroyed. It would be sudden and harsh. The way to be saved was not in fleeing, but in standing and trusting in the Lord. They wouldn’t listen, so they fled when the enemy came.

God desired to show them mercy and to bless them. He waited patiently for them to ask for help, but they refused to trust him and wait for him to act.

A remnant would live in Jerusalem and God would hear their cry. He would be gracious to them and lead them with his spirit. These people will get rid of their idols and the idols of the people. They will be blessed with rain and prosperity. God will multiply them and bless them abundantly. He will bind up their wounds and heal them. 

God will preserve his faithful children while sifting the nations with destruction. The faithful will see the destruction of the wicked and rejoice. Egypt will not be able to help though many will run there. God will rise up against all the people who did evil and those who helped them in their evil work. Man cannot stand against God and win. God is not afraid of mere men and their voices. 

Isaiah calls out to Israel to turn to the Lord. They will find no help in their idols of gold and silver. God’s sword will kill the Assyrians. They will run in panic from God’s army. 

Jesus will reign in righteousness and justice. His government will be rooted in peace and safety. Knowledge, wisdom and understanding will return to the earth. The fool and the scoundrel will be exposed for who they are. Isaiah warned the wealthy women of this day and told them to fear the Lord and repent of their idolatry. Isaiah saw the future of Jerusalem which was barreness and destruction. It would stay that way until God pours out his spirit on them. Then their wilderness would become fruitful once again. They would return to justice and righteousness in the wilderness and dwell in peace. 

The destroyer destroyed because they were evil. They betrayed others, now they will be betrayed. 

Isaiah prayed for God to be gracious to those who were waiting on Him to save them. He knows that God will fill the earth with justice and righteousness once again. The earth will be filled with salvation wisdom and knowledge and the fear of the Lord. But, what Isaiah was seeing was the time of total destruction and ruin. He sees the whole earth being devastated. He sees the fire of God burning out the chaff.

This is what God is doing now in the nations. He is exposing sin and deceit and turning us back to him. It is devastating to see, but glorious because God is cleansing the world of all the idolatry and sin. He will reign on the earth and it will be filled with his glory. Salvation, righteousness and justice will reign. 

In Galatians, Paul was giving them a choice of choosing to rely on circumcision and the law to save them or to trust in Christ to set them free from the law. He reminded them that Jesus is the law of love.

Paul reminded them that they had begun running their race well but had been side-tracked by these false teachers to tried to bring them back under the law. 

Lord, may we see through the subtle ways we are being tempted to get back under the law. May we walk in your grace and favor. Give us strength to stand and wait for your salvation. May we not be side-tracked by the things going on in the earth and miss the one who is orchestrating the rise and fall of nations. Give our righteous leaders wisdom and courage to do the right thing. We pray the same for ourselves. We look to you as the author and finisher of our faith. 

Fri.’s Devo - God’s Plan for Victory

Read: Isaiah 28:14-30:11; Galatians 3:23-4:31; Psalm 62:1-12; Proverbs 23:19-21

Isaiah addresses the leaders of Jerusalem who made a covenant with the devil and believed his lies that he would take care of them. 

God laid the foundation stone in Zion and it can be trusted. In his government justice and righteousness are the standard. He will sweep away the things their lies brought them and destroy the things they did in secret. Their covenant with Satan will be annulled and will not stand the storm. What they trusted in will not sustain them in the storm. 

God will rise up and bring destruction on the whole earth.

Their punishment will be meted out according to their works. 

Chapter 29 is directed to Jerusalem and the Temple. They would be punished suddenly by the Assyrian army. The Assyrians would gain nothing permanent by the conquest. She would face inner strife and then be conquered by Babylon who would then be conquered itself.

Judah had been blinded by deception and false teaching, false prophets and false gods. True wisdom from God was like a book they were not able to read. They went through the motions of following God, but their hearts were far from him. They did things in darkness thinking they were hiding from God but he knows everything. Nothing his hid from our Creator. 

The day was coming when the people will be able to read the book of the Lord and understand it. Their blind eyes will be open and their deaf ears will hear the truth. Understanding and wisdom will bring joy and they will see the judgment of the wicked. The children of the Lord will turn to him and fear him and learn his ways again.

All the rebellious who made an alliance with the devil will go into bondage. They will trust in Egypt to their shame and humiliation. They will try to bribe Egypt to help them but it will be in vain. They had refused to hear the warnings of the prophets of God and it will come back to destroy them.

In Galatians, Paul explained that the law had been their guardian until Christ came to justify them by their faith. Through him we are all the same - God’s children, offspring of Abraham and heirs to all the promises of scripture.

Through Christ’s death, we received our inheritance as a son of God. We are no longer slaves to the world and its system but are heirs with Christ.

Paul is bewildered that the Galatians still desire to live under the law instead of under the freedom of grace. He explains that Hagar, the slave, had a child according to the flesh, while Sarah, the free woman had a child according to the promise of God. Haran stands for Mount Sinai in Arabia where the law was given and Sarah stands for spiritual Jerusalem which is the promise of our future. He explained that they were not children of Hagar but of Sarah. They were the heirs of the promise.

Lord, thank you that we are heirs of your promise. May we not slip back under the law of sin and death. Thank you for your promises and life, liberty and joy.

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.