Everything is in the present with God. It’s like a book to Him … He can focus on any page He’d like, or see them all at one time like an unrolled scroll.

As we read the prophets, we should not be discouraged because we don’t understand or presently witness the events described. As we read, BELIEVE ME, God will speak to you what He wants you to hear.

Mark Twain was quoted as saying, “It’s not the verses I don’t understand that bother me … It’s the ones I DO UNDERSTAND.”

PRAYER: Father, open my eyes to see wonderful things in Your Word. Without Your voice speaking and guiding, my life would be a disaster.

READING: Isaiah 17-19

So much of the Bible refers to terrain … if you saw Jerusalem, you would understand why. The climb to Bethlehem is also quite steep. The tour bus we are in made it, but depends heavily on a good engine and GOOD BRAKES.

Life also has ups and downs, and it almost seems that these key Holy Land cities were geographically positioned to offer the Lord plenty of object lesson capability. In His coming Kingdom, we know every valley shall be exalted and every hill brought low, the rough places [that’s Israel] plain … it all smooths out to become a highway for our God. His ultimate goal is the lives of people.

PRAYER: Lord, You have a plan for everything, and all things are working together for us to experience the good You have prepared for us. We worship You.

READING: Isaiah 13-16

Isaiah often uses this expression to identify events to come. To the contemporary believer who cannot see the future nor predict it, the events that unfold lining up with Isaiah’s prophecy build confidence in God’s Word. Actually, it’s exciting to prayerfully watch for fulfillment that comes to pass.

We are to “Watch and Pray.”

Today our Israel tour group will visit the American school in Bethlehem.

PRAYER: Father, You have everything under control. We trust in You and read Your Word with anticipation of great revelations and glorious victories for Your Kingdom.

READ: Isaiah 10-12

(This morning I am doing my devotions in the lobby of the Leonardo Hotel in Tel Aviv, Israel. Sorry I missed yesterday. We were traveling.)

When reading Isaiah, one is saddened initially by the ungodliness of the Israeli people. The missionary who is hosting us says only 15% of the people are religious. However, we know that the prophet also said “The people who walk in darkness will see a GREAT LIGHT.” That is Christ, the Messiah and Lord.

PRAYER: Lord, let there be a mighty outpouring of the Gospel and Your love to the people of Israel.

READING: Isaiah 1-6 [making up for yesterday]

Rich in simile and poetic beauty, the Song of Songs is, like Psalms and Proverbs, universal in its application to lives of believers. God is for marriage, it states, and a healthy passion between husband and wife as demonstrated by Solomon and his beloved.

Sadly, many unions fall far short.

Pray for marriages. Seek God for an exemplary love in your own.  The Bible encourages it.

PRAYER: Father, let there be a move of Your Spirit in Christian marriage. Because marriage is a type of Christ with the Church, we seek Your very best in our homes, and we ask for Your mercy upon those deeply wounded by marriages that fail. You will NEVER FAIL!

READING:  Song of Songs: 3-8

My son works in financial investments, and coaches his parents to spread out their retirement money in different products rather than one spot. This agrees with the advice Solomon left in Ecc. 11:2, “Invest in seven ventures, yes, in eight; you do not know what disaster may come upon the land.”

Good advice, though it is, but the greatest investment is to give to those who have need. “He who gives to the poor lends to the Lord.” [Pr 19:17] The wisest investments we can make are in people.

PRAYER: Lord, help us refocus on the needs of people around us who truly need help. Forgive us for being so self-centered. 

READING: Ecc. 11,12; Song of Songs 1,2

Solomon in his wisdom declared, “If the spirit of the ruler rises against you, don’t abandon your position, for your calmness can solve great problems.” [Ecc. 10:4]

Our natural tendency is to run or allow suspicion to rule.

Don’t! Take a breath, take control of yourself. and allow the Lord to determine the outcome of any friction between you and the ruler. Give God a chance to intervene.

PRAYER: Father in Heaven, I will trust in Your Word and Your wisdom when I have conflict with someone in authority over me. Even as You did not open Your mouith, Lord Jesus, when You were reviled, I will hold my peace and trust.

READING: Ecc. 7-10