Is. 42 [The Message]

The nations won’t know what hit them when God shouts. The KJ version describes it as a roar, the sound of a mighty man of war. God instructed Gideon’s army to shout. Joshua’s troops also used the shout to discomfit the enemy.

A shout is a more-than-normal exertion of the vocal cords. There is power behind it. God’s glorious voice [Ps. 29] can do many things:

• Destroy a forest of mighty cedar trees
• Make mountains quake and jump
• Makes lightning flash
• Makes deserts tremble
• Cause animals to give birth

Essentially, man’s weapons and fortifications are useless when God uses His mighty voice. Our prayers and cries for help awaken God’s voice and cause Him to respond in His power.

Prayer is often the only thing we can do and it’s also the BEST thing we can do.

P.S. Don’t expect the news outlets to acknowledge God’s impact on ANYTHING.

Is. 41 [The Message]

As we see frightening events unfold in the Middle East, it’s easy for our hearts to ask, “Lord, what’s gonna happen here?” Is this capable of igniting WW III? We haven’t lived long enough to see this play out. The whole mess is half-baked, and we are in the oven.

Our faith and trust in the Lord is the key here. The songwriter so confidently wrote, “I don’t know about tomorrow, but I KNOW Who holds my hand.”

Is. 40:31 [The Message]

The other day I was speaking to a young man who was an aspiring worship leader. He is studying it in college. He has a great voice and lots of talent. That’s good. Those are tools that the Lord gives.They will only take you so far.

The great worship services are where everyone arises in the Lord’s presence and “soars like an eagle.” How do you get THAT? You …”Wait upon the Lord” for THAT.

Is. 40 [The Message]

This is one of the pivotal passages in the entire Bible. Handel starts his famous “Messiah” with it. Therein is a great key … God’s greatest news is that He sent THE SOLUTION for our sin and struggle.

We have seen the horrors of war this past week. God says here (in ch. 40) that our warfare “Is accomplished.” What does it mean to us? He has fought for the souls of men and won. The tragic videos of human destruction we have seen are NOTHING compared to the grief unbelievers will experience when Christ returns and God judges all from His Great White Throne. There will be “weeping and gnashing of teeth” … torment yet unknown. Those of us who have received Christ are to be “comforted.”

Meanwhile, we pray that the Jews and Palestinians who have not yet believed on the Messiah will receive Him and be ready for the Heavenly Jerusalem.

Is. 39 [The Message]

King Hezekiah unwisely showed all the precious palace treasures to enemy scouts from Babylon. When Isaiah heard about it, he rebuked the king. He prophesied that it would all be hauled off, stolen from Israel during an invasion.

We must protect the things most dear to us, our children. Sadly many of our children are being exposed to the filthy elements of society through social media, ungodly video games, and Hollywood verbal and lustful trash. (They didn’t learn to say the “F-bomb” in Sunday School.) Their exposure to the crap coming through the TV and their cell phone is trying to “Haul them off to Babylon.”

Is. 38 [The Message]

No one sits around and wonders how and when they will meet God. Isaiah told king Hezekiah to get ready to die. He couldn’t handle it. He wept and prayed … and God extended his life another15 years. It’s negligible that they were worth it. He produced an evil son, Manasseh, who was a big blemish on his legacy. Maybe he should have said, “Ok God. Take me. I’m ready. You know best.”

The scripture says it’s appointed unto man once to die [Heb. 9:27] … hence, an appointment with death. Every day is a gift. We should cling to the God that gave the gift and make the days profitable for Him, worrying less about the “when.”

The days of our years are threescore years and ten (70); and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years (80), yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away. [Ps. 90:10]

Is. 37 [The Message]

Little did the evil king of Assyria know that he was fighting against God. God protects HIS PEOPLE.

Paul and Elenor Stern were missionaries to Nigeria. They had a compound just off the main highway where they operated their ministry. During a deadly conflict where insurgents were killing everyone they could find, they feared for their lives, but had the faith to stay put. After the war, an insurgent was quoted saying, “There was a large, flaming angel protecting your compound. We dare not attack you.”

King Hezekiah laid out his concern before the Lord. God heard him and destroyed his enemy.

Is.36 [The Message]

The evil king of Assyria sent his emissary to warn and frighten the inhabitants of Jerusalem that their doom was imminent. Listening to the news lately has nearly the same effect. The commentary is laced with descriptions of how vulnerable our nation has become.

Number One! Our hope is in the Lord rather than our nation’s military and leadership. If we allow our peace in the Lord to be shaken, we are spending too much time away from His Word. Some quality time listening to the Psalms is a good antidote. “Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him from them ALL.” [Ps.34:19] (This is a good scripture to memorize RIGHT NOW!)

Is. 35 [The Message]

The details of the war in the Middle East leave us with a dim view of humanity. How can such atrocities happen in an “Enlightened Age?” Well, they’re happening right before our eyes. Evil still exists Without the hope we find in God’s Word, life is frightening.

The prophet Isaiah tells of sorrow and sighing fleeing away, and that everlasting joy shall be upon our heads. Such glorious predictions, I believe, apply to The Church rather than to just Israel. Christ’s blessings and future benefits belong to those whom He has redeemed by His Blood, and for whom He died. This chapter is worth a read to lift your spirits.

Is. 31-34 [The Message]

Does God possess great offensive power? NO DOUBT! One of His angels can slay 185,000 men in one night. We are tempted to ask God to get His offensive sword out when we see such strife in the Middle East.

The Sword of the Lord ALSO refers to God’s Word and the preaching of the Gospel. We should rather pray that the current contentions in Israel and Gaza would lead to a harvest of souls, that frightened inhabitants would cry out to the Lord to save them. There IS a Savior and His name is Jesus.