Is. 48 [The Message]

Cyrus was a mysterious Persian ruler credited for helping Jews return from exile to Jerusalem 2,500 years ago to rebuild the Temple. Cyrus ruled an empire that included the ancient Near East, Southwest and Central Asia, and the Caucasus. Jewish tradition has been consistent in treating him as a pagan agent of God’s divine plan for Jews to return to the Land of Israel from their exile in Babylon (modern-day Iraq). In Isaiah, God chooses Cyrus “to subdue nations before him and to strip kings of their armor … so that you may know that I am the Lord, the God of Israel.”

Somewhat popular among evangelical Christians is that our former president, Donald Trump, is a modern day Cyrus. Be-it there is a gap between Trump’s, ahem, personal behavior and his support for policies that advance the pro-Israel agenda.

In no way am I trying to push one political candidate over another. The parallels between Trump and Cyrus are worth noting. Just sayin’ …

(I credit Andrew Siloh-Carroll of The Times of Israel for the bulk of my information in this post.)

Is. 46 [The Message]

When you get older, you need more care. I know. I feel sorry for old folks who don’t have any family to care for them. They have to pay great sums of money for someone to look after them. They use up all their life savings and have little to pass on to their offspring.

God promised to Israel that He would carry them when they were old and gray headed. All of their promises are ours because we inherit Abraham’s blessings because of our faith. This gives me comfort to know that my Heavenly Father will look after me when my health and strength are nearly gone. I need Hum more every day.

Is. 45:25 [The Message]

In light of the current conflict in Israel, this verse seems to be significant.

“I, the Lord, will give victory and great honor to the people of Israel.” [Is. 45:25 CEV]

Personally, I prefer to believe this verse rather than the CBS/NBC/ABC news media. We know that the Lord will watch over His Word and perform it. [Jer. 1:12] Actually, with the odds stacked against the Jews and an uproar happening all over the world against them, God has a spotlight on Him and His Word to see what He will do. He loves a good challenge.

Is. 44:22 [The Message]

This is God’s main message to all who know of Him … return to the God Who has paved your way by offering a clean slate for all your past sins, failures, and short-comings. He is FULL of mercy and forgiveness. And if you are at all worried about having blasphemed the Holy Ghost, you thereby haven’t.

It’s heartbreaking how many families have been devastated by children who have “messed up” and feel that they are a worthless cause. Christ’s arms are open and extended to all who have believed the enemy’s lie that there is no hope for them.

It may be that someone who reads this post today will come across the path of a sinner who haS wandered away from God. Give them this message: “COME BACK!” [1 John 1:9]

Is. 44 [The Message]

We are not to fear and not to worry. In my book, there’s plenty to worry about with tensions in the Middle East mounting. China has dispatched a warship to the area, and the UK has already made commitments of troops to support Israel. To me, these are causes of worry.

However, when we see these things happen, we are not to worry. If we spend as much time in God’s Word listening to His prophets as we do watching the news, we will be comforted to know of His great keeping power.

Is. 43 [The Message]

This is the famous “Fear not” chapter in the Bible. We wonder, “Are the Israeli soldiers reading or quoting this passage as they enter a very dangerous war?” Quite possible!

Fear is a paralyzing emotion. It alone will contribute heavily to defeat before you even enter the fray. The Psalmist said, “Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I WILL FEAR NO EVIL, for THOU art with me.” This is the solution to eliminating fear … knowing the Lord is with us. Daniel didn’t fear the Lions because God’s angel had shut their mouths. The three Hebrew boys in the fiery furnace had the Son of Man with them in the flames.

A simple prayer asking for God’s presence in times of trouble is the key. He’s as close as the mention of His Name. JESUS!

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.