Jeremiah 1

Let’s continue our study by going through Jeremiah again. His message was to God’s people who were in captivity, not unlike some of the cultural and political conditions we are experiencing today.

From the outset, God reassured Jeremiah that He would preserve and rescue His people from their oppressors. We can live our lives with this same confidence … God is and will always be the only Rescue we will ever need. We are citizens of the Heavenly Country. This supersedes ALL other national affiliations.

Isaiah 66

God’s nature is to gather unto Himself those whom He has created and will in the millennial reign of Christ. This chapter describes how all the Redeemed will be gathered to Jerusalem to bow before the Lord and worship Him.

Armageddon will have already happened and the dead will be piled high as evidence of God’s great power.

We are wise to vote for men and women who fear the Lord. Their governing decisions will blend into God’s plan for our universe as He moves towards creating a new heaven and new earth.

Isaiah 65

God loves people. What parent doesn’t love and keep reaching out to their offspring even though they choose unwise paths for their lives? God is our Heavenly Father. He LOVES us. Even when we are on a destructive path, He STILL loves us. He still reaches out.

As parents, we can more clearly see the awaiting hardships our stray children will experience than they can. Yet, we reach out … we pray … we wait, with arms open and outstretched. If we don’t, we are maybe too messed up ourselves to have the proper love and emotion toward our children.

God said, “I WILL NEVER leave you or forsake you.” [Heb. 13:5]

Isaiah 63, 64

The reading of Isaiah 64 rings in the heart of every Christian as a plea for God to show up in His supernatural power.

Oh, that You would tear open the heavens and come down,
That the mountains would quake at Your presence—

Later in the passage, the key to seeing this kind of power is …

(You God), Who acts in behalf of one who waits for You.
You meet him who rejoices in doing righteousness,
Who remembers You in Your ways. [NASB]

Isaiah 62

Here on this earth, we learn about the eternal, Heavenly relationship of Christ and the Bride through God’s Word and our marriage relationship. When we get to Heaven, we won’t be married to our earthly mate. For some, that’s good news. For others, it may be a disappointment. Regardless, to honor Christ we give our best to our marriage. He gave His best to us.

Obviously, earthly mates can fail and disappoint us. But Christ Jesus …. NEVER!

Isaiah 61

This passage was read by Christ Jesus in the synagogue to essentially validate His beginning in ministry. He spoke of the inheritance all believers would receive … a double portion.

Since my parents recently passed from this life, to their children was left an inheritance. It has been an interesting process to appropriate the funds from investments and the sale of their home. It has been a lot of work … I am the executor .. but rewarding to inherit the fiscal value of their labors here on earth.

Christ has made us co-inheritors with Him of all God has. Material wealth is one thing, but eternal life in glory is the big bonus. We have yet to see it.

Isaiah 60

Arise, shine, for your light has come!

Because the Lord is our Light, we will forever land on the BRIGHT side of things. Wherever His light shines, all darkness MUST flee.

This revolutionary and pivotal chapter probably speaks of Christ’s Millennial Reign and our eternal existence in Heaven. Regardless, there are GREAT DAYS ahead for God’s people.

(I can’t wait to see the new Temple Ezekiel spoke about. Presently, God’s temple is US. But there is a day coming when He will put on display magnificence and splendor no eye has yet seen. It’s the “sweet by and by.”

Now back to the “nasty now and now.”

Isaiah 59

Although many who live in habitual sin don’t know anything else and think its a normal life, God’s Holy Spirit can convict them and cause them to seek a solution. The Christian witness of God’s people can also provide a contrast to the sinner of how it could be here on earth.

What is the sinner’s habitat?

• You live WITHOUT God’s blessing v.9
• God doesn’t protect you v.9
• Your outlook on life is dark and gloomy v.9
• You lack a clear perspective on your future v.9
• You can’t see the pitfalls of life v.10
• You lack vitality and a healthy outlook v.10
• You groan and complain like a hungry bear v.11
• You are not treated fairly without the Heavenly Advocate v.11
• Your wrong-doings pile up and begin taking you down v.12
• You begin realizing how lost you are v.12
• You become rebellious v.13
• You plan and utter lies v.13
• You think wrong is right and don’t tolerate the truth v. 14

This is a very sad way to live.

Isaiah 58

Of late, fasting has been more difficult for me. I have allowed food to take too important a place in my life. I rationalize, so much has been taken away from me because of health and age issues, so I deserve some enjoyment from my emphasis on food.

Wrong thinking.

Fasting is one SURE WAY that our voice will be heard on high. We need to take advantage of this mechanism and do serious business with God about important issues that surround us.

Isaiah 57

God says He dwells (lives) with those who have a humble and contrite (someone who is crushed) spirit.

I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones. [Isaiah 5:15]

This is great comfort to those who are crushed by the tragedies of life. God is clearly watching and riding every bump WITH you. He’s sitting in the seat with you, helping you navigate the road ahead. He’s MUCH better than GPS on your phone.