Isaiah 31, 32

The prophet warns against going to Egypt for help. Early kings would seek alliances to bolster their armies for upcoming battles. God needs no alliance with an earthly kingdom to prevail. He wants His people to trust Him with their complete well-being. It’s no different today. God wants us to seek Him and trust Him. As we ask Him in prayer for what we need and read His Word, He gives us promises and answers.

Verily, verily, I (Christ Jesus) say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. [John 16:23]

Isaiah 30

Our nation, state, and county have their own judicial system with judges etc. I’m sure they usually try to do the right thing in searching for justice.

The Christian, however, operates in a much higher realm of justice. We have in Heaven THE Great and Righteous Judge Who rules in all the affairs of man. Christ Jesus is our Advocate. He represents us before the Father. That’s why the prophet can say,

This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: “Only in returning to me and resting in me will you be saved. In quietness and confidence is your strength.” [Is. 30:15 NLT]

Isaiah 29

The prophet states an indictment against his readers: “These people claim to worship (God), but their words are meaningless, and their hearts are somewhere else. Their religion is nothing but human rules and traditions, which they have simply memorized.” [Is. 29:13 GNT]

Our heart is our thoughts, our trust, and our values and belief system. We have this lifetime to get it right. We think about what we want. We are wise to bring our mind and desire back toward the Lord and His Word. If we do, He will make Himself known to us and our religion won’t be vain. Life goes much better with Jesus.

Isaiah 27, 28

I’ve always been surprised and intrigued at how the Lord can float a profound prophecy of the Messiah in some of the most unlikely passages. For instance, God says He will speak to His people with stammering lips and another tongue in the midst of a rebuke for allowing drunkenness to corrupt His people. This was His introduction to the Baptism of the Holy Ghost with evidence of speaking in tongues. Then, He identifies the Christ as The Cornerstone of our faith in a similar context.

My point is this; God can weave His message to you in the mundane activities of life. You may not even be listening to hear from Him, but He can break in upon you with big answers you may be needing. God spoke through a mule to His prophet Balaam. He can communicate with you however He wants. His Spirit will inform you … “God just sent me a message.”

Isaiah 25, 26

A verse that has brought me through many a sleepless night is Is. 26:3.

Through our (Patty and me) years of worship and music ministry, we have presented at least 50 large scale dramatic productions in churches we have been a part of. I’m talking choirs, sets, lighting, drama etc. Christmas and Easter are great opportunities to “Tell the Story.”

These have often been sources of great reward and GREAT STRESS. Coping with the night sweats where I’d wake up, sit up, and PANIC made my discovery of Is. 26:3 a life-saver. I would quote the verse to myself, put my mind ON THE LORD, and go back to sleep in “perfect peace.”

It will work for you too

Isaiah 24

In time, almost everything languishes. Weakness eventually prevails. The strong become feeble. The flower fades, the trees age and give way to change. Cities once vibrant decay and attract the undesirables. The once healthy human body seems to begin falling apart, requiring increasingly frequent medical repairs.

Except! When the Lord brings NEW LIFE AND HEALING.

There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God. [Ps. 46:4]

And he (the man who loves God’s laws) shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. [Ps. 1:3]

But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. [ Pr. 4:18]

Isaiah 20-23

When the prophet addressed a city or population concentration, he would mention their character, history, and function. They were essentially judged upon their response to His laws and His messengers. We can have influence over the city we live in through prayer and ministry.

Jonah evangelized Ninevah and prayerfully watched her response. Jeremiah instructed the exiles in Babylon to pray for her well-being:

Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.” [Jer. 29:7]

Isaiah 17-19

Please listen to this arrangement of an old hymn. These guys are GOOD. The message is appropriate. I miss the hymns.

Isaiah 15, 16

The prophet declares that Moab’s prayers and requests for help will essentially fall on deaf ears. What? A prayer not answered?!?

It’s true. This is what God’s Word says …But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear. [Is. 59:2]

Again, the consequence of unrepentant sin. The issue is the sin. If and when it is acknowledged and confessed and forgiven, God’s process of renewal and salvation can begin.

Isaiah 14

This chapter includes one of the Bible’s clearest descriptions of Satan, but the prevailing theme is God’s retributive vengeance upon Babylon and other similar forces of evil. We can rest assured that ALL unrepentant sin WILL BE DEALT WITH.

Are you caught in a web of misfortune? Please remember that God ONLY ALLOWS SUFFERING for a season, then turns the tables on our oppressors and provides miracle relief for us. The author of Hebrews says we should … Look unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. [Heb. 12;2]