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.

Is. 29, 30 [The Message]

This could be the theme of God’s message to the Jews from the beginning of their existence. “Come back to Me. I love you. You are making it hard on yourselves.” (My personal summation}

The horrors of the war now taking place in Israel and Gaza point up the seriousness of ungodliness.What is there to do except pray for the Lord to intervene and stop the carnage? War is hell. Resisting God leads to hell.

Is. 28. (The Message)

In this chapter Isaiah foretells of Christ’s kingdom being established in righteousness and justice. Those are wonderful principles that seem to be so lacking in our country’s present political posture. Regardless, the culture in our homes should be founded upon these principles to cultivate a right sense of propriety in the hearts of our children. The kingdoms of this world shall become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever.

Is. 26, 27. (The Message)

God has traditionally dealt with Israel when opposing nations attack them. Please pray for both Jews and Palestinians during this present conflict. Born again believers are members of The Church and need our prayers right now. A missionary from Rome Georgia started two Christian schools there … The Jerusalem School and the Bethlehem School. I have visited both. He said God is actually doing more in the Palestinian community than the Hebrews will allow him to.

Patty and I are in Ohio today. We will be attending a cousin’s reunion from members of my mother’s side of the family. Please pray that we have opportunity to be a light and pray for needs. Also, pray that we have a good trip back.

Is. 23-26. (The Message)

I’ve been to the site in Jerusalem known as Mount Zion. I was expecting more than I actually saw. For years I have read the Psalms of all the importance placed upon this hill where King David performed his devotion to God. It was easy to conclude that it’s importance was spiritual rather than physical.

We can live on God’s mountain. Being there gives an elevated perspective on life and all that is carnal. We can go there in the mornings and ride victoriously through every day. “Beautiful for elevation, the joy of the whole earth, is Mount Zion on the sides of the north, the city of the Great King.”. (Ps. 48:2)