Devotional Time with God

“… Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the LORD, who has compassion on you.

Isaiah 54:10

When the Lord is with me, who can stand against me?  His compassion is my reassurance.  His strength is my strength.  I have peace because God is in control.

Jesus is the Lion of Judah (Revelation 5:5). The overcomer. The problem solver.

When my toddler got her first illustrated bible from the church, I thought it would make a good introduction for her.  I would read chapter by chapter each day (short ones), and she would get excited about looking at the pictures of Moses, Noah’s Ark, Jesus and His disciples.

When I get to the section called “The True King”, it illustrated a donkey and Jesus riding it during Passover Feast.  It’s outlined in the books of Matthew 21:1-11, Mark 11:1-11, Luke 19:29-42, and John 12:12-19.  The picture of the donkey is cute and we got a kick out of looking at it.  I said to myself, that’s odd why they would focus on this donkey.

As it turns out, the donkey (and the subsequent Jesus arrival to Jerusalem on it) was prophesied earlier in Isaiah 21:7.  Jesus had fulfilled that prophecy.

The Bible confirmed Jesus is the one true king, as shown by God’s vision.

It’s indeed the most wonderful time of the year.  Not just for gift giving.  Not just for good food.  Not just for family gatherings.  Not just for the music.

It’s for Jesus Christ!

He had been prophesied to come (Isaiah 9:2-7, Isaiah 7:14) to this earth and save us all.  He’s the one that we’ll bow down to – the perfect person, God incarnate.  The one I can look up to when I’m lost in this world.  The one who’ll fill me up when I’m depraved of love and attention.

He’s coming back.

I know it takes faith to believe in God.  However, it takes more faith not to believe because what if I’m wrong?  I’m not perfect.  I’m not always right.  If there’s a higher power, wouldn’t I want to be on His side?

As a child, I was jaded.  I was invincible.  I felt I could do it all, in good health (even though not in perfect shape), and had a lot of years ahead of me.

Upon reflection, I was relying too much on myself.  I know now that God was looking after me.

I know God:

1. Exists
2. Cares about me.
3. Has the power to help me.

God has answered my prayers multiple times.  He knows my needs and have provided.  He will always provide because He has an infinite power.

Jesus replied, “What is impossible with men is possible with God.”

Luke 18:27

When you go through deep waters,
I will be with you.
When you go through rivers of difficulty,
you will not drown.
When you walk through the fire of oppression,
you will not be burned up;
the flames will not consume you.

Isaiah 43:2

The men’s bible study group has been “postponed” indefinitely due to lack of attendance.  I decided to continue on with the study, 2 chapters at a time, and complete it.  Sort of my New Year’s resolution: Always finish what I’ve started.  God always does, and so will I.

Chapters 15-16:

• Isaiah prophesied destruction in Moab.
• The Moabites pride and arrogance was despised by God.  The Lord even wept for them.
• The destruction of Moab included drought and and famine.  The army would be destroyed.
• This destruction lasted 3 years.

Chapter 13-14

• God’s judgments was prophesied for the surrounding nation of Judah.
• Isaiah first prophesied on Babylon.
• God was coming to destroy Babylon is at hand.
• It was figuratively described as complete darkness, the earth shakes, and many will perish.
• The Medes would stir up against Babylon.
• The city of Babylon would end up like Soddom and Gomorrah: destroyed.
• The house of Jacob would resettle Israel again.
• Songs (Proverbs) would be sung to signal the end of Israel’s oppression by the Babylonians.
• The fall of Lucifer, king of Babylon, judged by God and his children slaughtered.
• Next, God would destroy Assyria.
• Judgment would come to Philistia (Philistine).
• In the midst of all this destruction, God provided refuge for His people in Zion.

Chapters 9-12

• The prophecy of a child, a son, a wonderful counselor, mighty God, everlasting father, prince of peace, was offered to Israel. It was fulfilled by Jesus.
• The Son of God will govern in peace.
• Israel would fall because of its arrogance and pride. Not following God’s timing was one reason for the downfall.
• The chastening of Israel was brutal. Attacks would come from all sides, and cannibalism was rampant.
• Despite all that, the people of Israel would still not listen to God, continued to be corrupt, robbed from its people (especially the widows), and continued their sinful lives.

Yet for all this, his anger is not turned away, his hand is still upraised.

Isaiah 10:4b

• Assyria was just part of God’s plan to shape Isreal. Sennacherib, king of Assyria, who so arrogantly confident defeating Israel was his own doing. When God was done with them, He would punish the king by letting Assyria be attacked and their kingdom plundered.
• The “remnants”, or God’s righteous few, would return to the land.
• God told His people in Zion and Jerusalem, not to be afraid. God offered His protection against the Assyrian army. God himself would cut down them down.

He will cut down the forest thickets with an ax; Lebanon will fall before the Mighty One.

Isaiah 10:34

• The root of Jesse (David’s father) would bear fruit. From his branch there would be the messiah, and the spirit of the Lord will be upon Him. He will judge with righteousness and adorn with faithfulness.
• Peace will be in Israel.
• The prophecy described a little child leading the wolf and the lamb, signifying the hope of peace.
• Everyone will rally to the prophesied Messiah. God will also offer Him for the second time to Israel, referencing to Jesus 2nd coming.
• God’s people will praise the Lord, give thanks, make known He has done, and exalt His name.

Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The LORD, the LORD, is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.

Isaiah 12:2

Chapters 7 – 8

• The complete first major section of the book of Isaiah containing historical narrative and prophecies during the rule of Ahaz (King of Judah).
• Ahaz was a cowardly king.
• King Rezin and King Pekah were besieging Jerusalem.
• Ahaz was told not to fear the kings’ plot against him.
• The sign of a the child named Immanuel, conceived from a virgin. It’s referring to Jesus Christ, the coming messiah.

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.

Isaiah 7:14

• During the sign, the land will be forsaken by the king.
• Assyria and Egypt desolated Judah instead.
• Isaiah’s second son’s name was Mahar-Shalal-Hash-Baz meaning “Speed the Spoil, Hasten the Booty”.
• Before the child grew up, the riches and spoils of Damascus and Samaria would be taken away by Assyria.
• The people of Judah refused the “water of Shiloah” which is the flowing and nourishing water of life. It also symbolizes the quiet and unseen flow of the power of Jesus.
• God told Isaiah to fear Him, for God will protect him. Those who does not fear the Lord will stumble and fall.
• People must seek God and His word, not the wizards nor mediums.

I missed last week’s study, so I’m combining two studies into one for today’s summary.

• Chapters 2-5 contain the messages for both the present and future of Judah and Jerusalem.
• The future of Zion was foretold with images of mountains and hills.
• It will happen in the “latter days” and will begin when the Lord’s temples are established. All the people will go to it, exalt God’s name on high (on the mountain top), and follow His path.
• The word of the Lord will come from Zion. He will also judge and rebuke many people.
• The moral condition of the people in Zion were detestable: pagan worship, filled with greed and pride, and idol worship.
• God will remove good leadership and supplies. God will only care for the righteous.
• Chapter 3 verses 18-24 details what will happen to the women: how they will be deprived of their looks and possessions.
• Men will die during battle by their enemies.
• God provided healing and blessings to the righteous. Shelter was provided for them also.
• Isaiah sang the song of God and His vineyard. He sang about how the vineyard would be destroyed because it produced “wild grapes”.
• Woes to the drunk, greedy, arrogant, self-righteous, and lazy people who blatantly sin and have confused morals.
• God struck the land by calling mighty nations to invade the land, and left the land in darkness and sorrow.

Therefore, as tongues of fire lick up straw and as dry grass sinks down in the flames, so their roots will decay and their flowers blow away like dust; for they have rejected the law of the LORD Almighty and spurned the word of the Holy One of Israel.

- Isaiah 5:24

• In Chapter 6, Isaiah described the vision of the Holy God.
• It was suggested that Isaiah’s vision started his ministry.
• Isaiah saw the vision of the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, with His robe filling the temple. He also saw seraphims or angels, with 6 wings.
• The imagery of the 6 wings were: 2 wings to cover the eyes because they can’t see God with all of His glory; 2 wings to cover the feet because feet are the lowest form of the body; and 2 wings for flying.
• The angels praised, “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.“
• Isaiah was approached by one of the seraphim and touched his mouth with a live coal taken from the altar. He is then purged of sins and could serve God.
• Isaiah humbled himself to God. He cried out that he’s not worthy, but he is ready to serve God with no fear.
• Isaiah was commissioned to show the people that their hearts were hardened, and tell the people to repent.
• Isaiah was told to preach until the cities were destroyed and people died.
• The small ray of hope is the “remnant” or the holy seed – the righteous people who seek God’s grace and mercy.

Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”

- Isaiah 6:8

When God asks, be ready to serve with courage humility, and commitment – just like Isaiah did.

The study of the book of Isaiah begins with Chapter 1.

1. Isaiah described his message as a “vision” or prophecy, a sight/word from God. It concerns Judah and Jerusalem. He was concerned about their moral condition.
2. During his time, it was reigned by King Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, approximately 739-690 BC.
3. God called the heaven and earth as witnesses against Israel.
4. God brought charges to Israel for being rebellious children who don’t know their Father.
5. The nation was described as sinful and corrupt. It turned away from God.
6. God described the nation suffering wounds and sores, but still wanted more.
7. Jerusalem is besieged and the country side overthrown by strangers (The Asyrians).
8. God had left some survivors (remnant), otherwise it would have become like Sodom and Gomorrah.
9. God could not longer endure their “religious” activities: the hypocrisies and the meaningless offerings.
10. God would not answer their prayers, for their hands were full of blood.
11. The people must stop sinning and wash themselves clean from wrong doing. As well as do good, seek justice, reprove the oppressor, defend the fatherless and widow.
12. God still offer salvation even after the most wicked acts.
13. God offers blessings for those who obey, and dire consequences for those who are rebellious.
14. The corrupt condition of Jerusalem: was once a place for the faithful became a sinful place. Once full of justice became a place for murderers. A polluted city, corrupt officials, heartless, and not caring about its people.
15. God promised justice to the wicked and refuge for the righteous. He will purify Zion by getting rid of His enemies and restore Jerusalem back to a righteous and faithful city.
16. Those who forsake the Lord would be destroyed. God would make the people be ashamed of the idols (trees and gardens). They would be consumed like dry vegetation.

You will be ashamed because of the sacred oaks in which you have delighted; you will be disgraced because of the gardens that you have chosen. You will be like an oak with fading leaves, like a garden without water. The mighty man will become tinder and his work a spark; both will burn together, with no one to quench the fire.

Isaiah 1:29-31