Hezekiah’s enemy, King Sennacherib of Assyria, taunted the city of Jerusalem trying to bring fear upon God’s people. The Lord sent Isaiah with a comforting message that this challenge would fail … Jerusalem would be ok. In one night, God sent His angel to combat the Assyrian army. He slew 185,000 soldiers. They woke up and left.

God can put to rest the taunting voices that your enemy slings at you. He is your true hope and refuge. With the knowledge that God is on your side, you can maintain your position of faith rather than succumb to the fear the enemy tries to bring  upon you.

“No weapon formed against you shall stand.” [Is. 54:17]

READ/LISTEN: Is. 36-39

God will avenge His people of their enemies and reward them for their suffering. Isaiah 35 paints the picture of this coming kingdom where all sorrow and weeping shall pass away. There will be everlasting joy.

Through Christ and the new birth, we can enjoy these blessing right now. Jesus said, “The Kingdom of God is within you.” Yes, the physical manifestations and promises will be great, but true joy and prosperity occur in our heart. Even though we might be poor in material wealth, we can be rich in our soul and our spirit. How else can a poor man be contented? Why can the rich man be miserable?

Jesus taught us of His Kingdom in Matt. 5,6,7. Tomorrow, let’s alter our reading plan and review those transforming passages.

READ/LISTEN: Is. 32-35

Through the prophet, God challenged His people about their trust. Specifically, God wondered why His people would run to Egypt for help against their enemies rather than seeking the Lord for His solutions.

As contemporary Christians see this nation moving away from traditional values and morals toward lawlessness and total lack of respect for human life (abortion), where does the Christian turn?

Paul said the weapons of our warfare are NOT CARNAL, but MIGHTY THROUGH GOD. Our source of help is not in a political party of news network … it’s is God. As we call upon His name for help, we should trust and obey His Word and be faithful to keep sharing the Gospel. The solutions He offers are eternal.

READ/LISTEN: Is. 29-31

When amazing prophecies about the Messiah and His future kingdom flowed from the pen of the prophet, did he actually realize what he was saying? I think not. Nevertheless, God used him to give accurate descriptions of what was to come 700 years later.

No doubt, he was in tune with God through the Spirit.

This happens … supernatural extraordinary things happen to those who walk closely with the Lord. He takes you places and gives you opportunities to be His spokesperson. He may perform a miracle through your prayer. He may bring a lost soul into His kingdom because of your witness. He may give you the chance to see a person’s life turned around because of your friendship and service.

Through God, we can live a naturally supernatural life. Isaiah now knows better.God mightily used his writings.

READ/LISTEN: Is. 25-28

God, the Creator, is the Author of everything and everybody.

Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. [John 1:3]

(God) raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything. [Eph. 1:20-22]

ALL Authority is derived from God and has been given to Christ Jesus. No man has any authority but that it has been granted to him (on loan) to accomplish God’s purposes. 

If you have authority, use it wisely, for you are an accountable steward of it. If you are under someone else’s authority, relax … they are downstream from God and he controls their destiny. Don’t gripe about them. Just discuss their leadership style with God.

READ/LISTEN: Is. 20-24

God used Isaiah’s prophecies to address people groups. One of those referred to is Syria. God said He would visit Egypt and Assyria and link them with Israel.

The other day, I met a Syrian man who is a Christian musician who runs a music school called “Proskuneo.” This greek word means worship. I actually purchased two instruments from him. I was impressed with his spirit and the mission he was on … to train worshippers.

Upon reading Isaiah 19 and God’s interest in Syria, I immediately thought of him.

READ/LISTEN: Is. 15-19

Isaiah prophetically describes the Lord’s coming kingdom … it will be beyond words … but Isaiah tried. He sees what it will be like when the devil is absent .. in fact, he describes Lucifer’s demise in chapter 14.

God’s people will forever enjoy His blessings and peace. As Paul described, “Eye hasn’t seen, ear hasn’t heard; it hasn’t entered the heart of man the things that God has prepared for those who love Him.” David said, “In His presence is fullness of joy, and at His right hand, pleasures forevermore.”

With such a glorious future to look forward to , why in the world would we put the pleasures of this life ahead of doing God’s will and seeking His Kingdom?

READ/LISTEN: Is. 11-14

Accountability and reckoning are critical elements in any system of government. We see their importance in the election process our nation just experienced. Without it, corruption and greed are given their platform to destroy all that’s just and equitable. Pretty soon, absolute values and standards become the enemy of self-serving leaders.

God has warned that judgement is coming. The Great White Throne Judgement will deal out to those who reject Christ their punishment. The Judgement Seat of Christ will find every believer receiving from the Lord the reward for their faithfulness in their earthly life.

Paul encourages us to live this life with the day of reckoning in mind. Jesus advised, “Lay up your treasures in heaven.” We have these precious years now to make imperishable investments in the lives of other.

Today is the first day of the rest of your life.

READ/LISTEN: Is. 8-10

God gave Isaiah a message for the King of Judah when Jerusalem was being threatened by invading forces. He decreed that they would be secure and that their enemy would fail. He then challenged the king by saying, “If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all.”

This challenge can be made to us as we navigate life’s threats. We must (1) KNOW what God has given us through Christ, and then (2) STAND FIRM on the Word of God. We are to face life’s challenges by believing God and His promises rather than what we see with or carnal eyes.

People say, “I’ll believe it when I see it.” God says, ‘You’ll see it when you believe it.”

READ/LISTEN: Is. 4-7

Isaiah delivered some strong and difficult words to God’s people. He also penned some of the greatest prophecies of the coming Messiah and His Kingdom. Central to all God did in His people was the city of Jerusalem. It is a city with the richest history in the world, but a city of contention and unrest.

Several years ago I walked her streets and observed her demeanor. Glimpses of the past and visions of the future can both be seen in moments. Rabbinical grandfathers at the wailing wall in prayer, and teen-aged soldiers carrying machine guns over their shoulder at every street corner can be seen daily. And yet, there was an underlying anticipation of how God will wrap it all up and bring the end of normal life as we know it … to use Isaiah’s expression, “That day.”

Many people will say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the temple of the God of Jacob … Zion … Jerusalem.” [Is. 2:3]

I shall see you again, City of God.

READ/LISTEN: Isaiah 1-3