The prophet Isaiah declared that God has no equal. Everything we see as problems or challenges are total lightweights compared to the Lord. God fears no man, no political system, no nation … we should live our lives with this in mind.

The news, current trends in political philosophy, weather threats, or economic confusion all pale in consequence compared to God’s power and plan. We tend to allow what we focus upon to dictate our attitude. When we keep the Lord and His Word our prevailing focus, we navigate the challenges of life with the right perspective.

“I can do all things through Christ. He strengthens me!”

READ/HEAR: Is. 38-40

The king of Assyria taunted Hezekiah and the Jews when he marched upon Jerusalem. Hezekiah ran to the Lord and laid out his plea in prayer and humility. God vindicated his trust by smiting the Assyrian army … one angel smote 185,000 enemy soldiers in one night.

We have enemies that taunt us on occasion. As Hezekiah did, we should run to the Lord in prayer and lay out our petition. God is anxious to show us the power of His Name in such opportunities. Instead of defeats, He can turn them into mighty testimonies.

READ/HEAR: Is. 36,37

Isaiah 35 describes the coming kingdom of God. This text was used by Handel for a recitative from Messiah to portray the glorious characteristics of Christ’s reign. Only those redeemed by the sacrificial blood of Christ will reside there, and every aspect of life there will be completely pure and holy. It will be so different from what life now offers with its exhausting tension between the right and the wrong.

God’s Word is the only place we find the description of this kingdom. It generates hope for the future rather than the darkness we find all around us.

READ/HEAR: Is. 31-35

When the praise team at church begins singing and leading a congregational worship service, there is much more going on in the spirit world than we realize. God uses our praise to bring punishment upon our enemies. This principle is clarified in Isaiah 30:32. The Living Bible states it this way; “And when the Lord smites them (His enemies), His people will rejoice with music and song.”

This should motivate us as Christians to take the song service much more seriously. It also aims at refining our motives to make the music, realizing that our audience is actually in the spirit realm. It also points to the importance of spiritual tuning rather than just aural tuning.

“Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two-edged sword in their hand; To execute vengeance upon the heathen, and punishments upon the people; To bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron; To execute upon them the judgment written: this honor have all his saints. Praise ye the Lord.” Ps. 149:6-9

READ/HEAR: Is. 30

Isaiah is filled with so many prophetic nuggets of truth that speak of the Messiah, the infilling of the Holy Spirit, end time destruction, keys to spiritual survival etc. It’s like a good potato salad that throws a synthesis of good tastes your way.  It’s like a piece of fine jewelry that combines different precious stones and metals to form a beautiful composite to be worn. It’s like a good summer sausage that lasts to give nutrition for many days to come.

God’s Word is to be consumed daily. It provides fuel to survive and structure to build our lives upon, all in a package of beauty.

READ/HEAR: Is. 25-29

Isaiah boldly prophesies the destruction of the earth. God, for sure, does not want us worshiping it. If heaven is His throne and the earth is His footstool {Is. 66:1], we see that the earth is an object that serves a useful purpose. Isaiah also said that the sin of its inhabitants has defiled it. There will be new heavens (skies?) and a new earth, and the former will be passed away and not remembered. [Is. 65:17]

What are we to do? We live here in the nasty now-and-now (as opposed to the sweet by-and-by) and we are good stewards. We take care of it, live on it, and use it … farming, real estate, hunting and fishing etc. We get right with God and wait expectantly for the future … heaven and earth.

READ/HEAR: Is. 20-24

An interesting verse in Isaiah 19 declares, “ The Lord … is coming to Egypt. The idols of Egypt tremble before him, and the hearts of the Egyptians melt with fear.”

The evil spirit world is more aware of God’s power and dread than we are. They know their days are numbered. God will come as He said and punish His enemies and reward His faithful ones.

We can live in confidence and victory knowing the power of God and that He will destroy our enemies. Jesus said, “In the world you will have tribulation. But, be of good cheer. I have already overcome the world!” [Jn. 16:33]

READ/HEAR: Is. 15-19

Isaiah reveals Satan’s error in chapter 14. Who else could possibly fit the description given? Only him.

• Fallen from heaven, cast down to the earth
• You (Satan) said,
  • “I will ascend …
  • I will raise ‘MY throne’ above the stars of God
  • I will make myself like the Most High”

The true Christian’s posture is never one of pride and ascent. It is that of humility. God does all the lifting, not us. Beware when leaders lift themselves. Pray they don’t make the same mistakes that God’s enemy did.

READ/HEAR: Is. 13,14

Isaiah not only prophesied the Messiah but he spoke of salvation from sin. His description was that we would draw water from the well of salvation and do it with JOY!

One of the greatest, lightest and most joyful moments is when a person truly experiences salvation. Scripture says “Everlasting joy” shall be upon their heads. God’s blessing of the joy of salvation makes this life worth living. We don’t walk in fear and doubt like others do. Regardless of our income level or station in life, we can exist in the euphoria that only comes from God’s Holy Spirit as we live from day to dayl

Kanye West’s recent Christian experience is refreshing to watch. He now knows what it means to live the abundant life.

READ/HEAR: Is. 10-12

The prophet Isaiah penned some of the most accurate and profound predictions of Christ that we have in the canon of scripture. As he wrote the precise words, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given,” did he understand the impact of his description?

As we read those words, our hearts are stirred with awe and gratitude for the Son of God Who came to take away our reproach and sin, Who came to give us eternal life. We know Him. We love Him. We desperately need Him.

Isaiah’s prophecy has had the intended effect upon us … we have been impacted by the Messiah’s mission. Sad to say, Isaiah’s contemporaries had little understanding about the power of his prophecy. We who live in the end of the age clearly benefit from all Christ has done and find great comfort in reading the prophet’s inspired writings.

How can we but praise the God Who has given such a great salvation to us.

READ/HEAR: Is. 8,9