Read: Isaiah 54:1-57:13; Ephesians 6:1-24; Psalm 70:1-5; Proverbs 24:8
God tells Israel who had lost so many people to expand their houses and spread out because they are going to be blessed with inhabitants. God had only left them for a moment, but will come again and bless them and their posterity.
God uses the example of the flood of Noah’s day. He promised them he would never destroy the earth with water again, and he is promising Israel that he will not leave them again. He will have compassion on them. He will build them up to be great again. Their children will be taught to fear the Lord and they will experience great peace and righteousness. Their enemies will not be able to war against them or judge them.
In Chapter 55, God tells them to spend their time on things that are eternal that can’t be bought with silver or gold. He tells them to return to him and learn of him; God has great plans for them that they can’t even imagine. When God says he will do something, he can not lie. It will happen. He is promising them that they will be filled with joy and peace and even the trees will respond with praise.
While they are waiting for God’s hand to move they are to keep justice and do what is right. He will bless the man who keeps the Sabbath as a holy day and doesn’t do evil.
He comforts the foreigner who has joined with Israel and tells them that he will treat them just like his own if they obey his laws and honor him. He will give them his name and adopt them to serve him and minister to him. God will gather all the outcast who remained loyal to him.
In Chapter 57, God speaks to the ones who the world thinks are righteous. They are dying and no one is paying attention why. They deceived the people with their self-righteous acts but behind closed doors did evil deeds. God will expose them and their idols will not be able to deliver them. But, those who take refuge in the Lord will possess the land and inherit his holy mountain.
In Ephesians, God tells us to honor our father and mother which will result in the promise that things will go well with us and we will have a long life on earth. He tells the fathers to not provoke their children in anger, but to bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
We are told to be strong in the Lord by wearing the armor God gave us to wear to stand against the schemes of the devil. Our enemy is not flesh and blood, but rulers, authorities, cosmic powers over darkness and spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
The armor of God includes the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the message of the gospel of peace as our shoes, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God. We are to pray all the time with all kinds of prayers and we are to stay awake spiritually.
Paul asked for prayer that he might boldly proclaim the mystery of the gospel even though he was in chains for doing that very thing. He had sent Tychicus to Ephesus to give them this letter and tell them how he was doing to encourage them. He prays for peace and love from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Lord may we walk in your grace and have your incorruptible love. May we not fear our enemies that are not flesh and blood but stand in your armor with your sword ready for battle.
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