Isaiah 8

The prophet sounds this admonition: “Fear God only!”

To fear the Lord is to hold Him in reverential awe. Yes, sinners who stand before God with un-removed transgressions, who haven’t had the blood of Jesus applied will truely find out what real fear is. They will also find out what real pain is.

For the present, we walk through life with faith, NOT FEAR. Faith in God must displace all fear. If it doesn’t, it becomes an idol for we have placed it above God. The Psalmist discovered the key when he said, “What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.” [Ps. 56:3]

Isaiah 6, 7

Fear of loss and fear of an uncertain future can shake us. The inhabitants of Jerusalem trembled when they were being threatened by an invading army. They waivered like a tree branch in the wind. God instructed His people to stand firm in their faith. Although challenges would come, He would bring them through.

Ironically, some of the most profound prophecies of the Messiah were embedded in this text. God had His Redeemer on the way to save His people.

Though the times may be trying we are not to be shaken. We must stand firm in our faith and see God reveal Christ to us in our crises.

Isaiah 3-5

Our lives give off an aroma. Each deed, thought, and word have a distinctive influence upon the spiritual atmosphere around us. The Bible describes the effect our lives have upon God’s sense of smell. Of immoral women, the prophet said, “Instead of perfume there will be a stench.” [Is. 3:24a NRSV]

The aroma of a person’s life is not determined by their cologne but by their demeanor.

But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us spreads and makes evident everywhere the sweet fragrance of the knowledge of Him. [2 Cor. 2:14 AMP]

Isaiah 2

This chapter obviously speaks of a time that is yet to be. “Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.” We haven’t seen this kind of peace yet.

Nations usually end up with a governing system that serves the power hungry individuals who are willing to dispose of their virtue. “What starts wars and fights among you? Is it not because you want many things and are fighting to have them?” [James 4:1 NLV] It’s a “survival of the fittest” struggle. Nobody wins these.

The Lord is setting up His Kingdom in our hearts. In His time, He will set up His earthly kingdom and we will see what Isaiah chapter two was talking about.

And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. [Is. 2:2]

Song of Songs 6-8; Isaiah 1

God will do nothing except He first shows the prophets. [Amos 3:7]

Jesus spoke in parables. Men didn’t always understand what He was saying, but after it happened before their eyes, they remembered His prediction.

God will always prove Himself great. For instance, the Book of Revelation .. we don’t necessarily understand what is to happen, but when it does before our eyes, we acknowledge God’s control over the future.

When Peter stood up on the Day of Pentecost and preached he said, “This is THAT.” [Acts 2:16]

Song of Songs: 1-5

The beautiful love language of this book not only describes the amorous relationship of a man with a woman … it speaks of Christ’s relationship with His Bride, the Church.

In Heaven there will be no male nor female, no marriage etc. Our gender roles here on earth simply but profoundly picture the love relationship God has with us.

“I am my Beloved’s and He is mine.”

Ecc. 11, 12

My father is 96 and my mother is 92. Mom often says, “Old age is for the birds.” Their life revolves around essential things; how they feel, what they eat, who visits them … but mostly around THE LORD.

Yes, they lament that life is more difficult in old age, but really light up on certain subjects … good memories, old songs about the Lord, the well-being of their family, and sitting on the back deck on a nice day.

Solomon identified the frustration seniors have when he stated that they found no pleasure in old age. The fleeting joys of youth are gone. It’s time to find new pleasures.

The youthful should wisely discover what pleases their old-age friends and relatives and commence to make them happy. These will be seeds well sown.

Ecc. 9, 10

There are times in life when your superiors will appear to be against you. Solomon gives us practical advice; “Don’t leave your job just because your boss is angry with you. Remaining calm solves great problems.” [Ecc. 10:4 NCV]

Remaining calm also gives God time to work for you and in you. He can help your boss see issues more clearly. He can help you be a better subordinate. Give God time.

Ecc. 8

Newnan, Georgia, experienced the power of wind this week. Tornadoes devastated many homes and buildings and uprooted countless trees. A friend lost the woods behind his home and said it sounded like a freight train moving through.

Solomon said, “No one has power over the wind to contain it.” [Ecc. 8:8a] Some translations use the word “spirit” where many also use “wind.” Regardless, it stands to reason that men are incapable of controlling the wind. They can shelter themselves from it, but must bear it or suffer the damage its power can inflict.

When human governments seem to exert power to achieve their own selfish purposes, we must never forget that there is an Omnipotent God in Heaven that can blow their devices down in a heartbeat.

Get right with God NOW!

Ecc. 6,7

Why would Solomon make this statement? “Sorrow is better than laughter, for sadness has a refining influence on us.” [Ecc. 7:3 TLB] The theme of the first five verses of Ecclesiastes 7 is that suffering and sorrow benefit us more than the good times.

James says, “When all kinds of trials and temptations crowd into your lives my brothers, don’t resent them as intruders, but welcome them as friends! Realize that they come to test your faith and to produce in you the quality of endurance. But let the process go on until that endurance is fully developed, and you will find you have become men of mature character with the right sort of independence.” [James 1:2-4 JB Phillips]

Paul says, “For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;” [Phil. 1:29]

We are grateful for the good times, but we GROW in the hard times.