Saturday, November 10: Isaiah 53- Jesus.

Reading Isaiah 53, I kept inserting Jesus' name in for all the references to 'he.' As I did this, the prophetic potency of this chapter became all the more clear to me.

Isaiah 53 with Jesus' name added appropriately into the text... Read it deliberately. Read it slowly. Read it intentionally. And read it again and again as God leads you...

Who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed? Jesus grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. Jesus had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. Jesus was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces Jesus was despised, and we held him in low esteem.

Surely Jesus took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But Jesus was pierced for our transgressions, Jesus was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Jesus was oppressed and afflicted, yet Jesus did not open his mouth; Jesus was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so Jesus did not open his mouth. By oppression and judgment Jesus was taken away. Yet who of his generation protested? For Jesus was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgression of my people Jesus was punished. Jesus was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though Jesus had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth.

Yet it was the LORD's will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the LORD makes his life an offering for sin, Jesus will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the LORD will prosper in his hand. After Jesus has suffered, Jesus will see the light of life and be satisfied; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and Jesus will bear their iniquities. Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, and Jesus will divide the spoils with the strong, because Jesus poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For Jesus bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

Thank You, Jesus. Thank You. Thank You. Amen.

 

Friday, November 9: Isaiah 52- Good news.

The familiar ring of verse 7 invited my mediation. How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, "Your God reigns!" (7).

Immediately I recalled Romans 10:15 which quotes this verse in the context of sending people to spread the Good News of Jesus. Yes, it is beautiful when good news is spread. This was true of Jesus, the servant mentioned in Isaiah. And it is true for every one of us who advances God's name around the earth.

Next I thought about the angelic pronouncements at Jesus' birth in Luke's gospel.

But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; Jesus is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests" (Luke 2:10-14). The Good News of Jesus will bring joy to all people.

From here my thoughts bounced to another Lukan passage Luke 4:18-19 a quote from Isaiah 61: "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because Jesus has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. Jesus has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." Again good news highlights the passage.

With all this about good news I sat and pondered the Good News of Jesus and all faith in Him has brought into my life. Blessings like:

Peace in times of trouble

The weight and guilt of sin lifting from my life

Never being alone in life; always knowing Jesus is with me

Guidance regularly through life

An invitation to be 'a good news sharer' with my world

Being at peace with God

I cannot imagine life without God always being present. The joy and peace promised in those words about God's Good News is true. I proclaim it. I feel it. I have experienced it.

Jesus, thank You for taking on the life of the servant and for saving me and hundreds of millions of others who confess You as Lord and Savior. In Your name Jesus, I pray. Amen.

 

Thursday, November 8: Isaiah 51- Are you listening for God?.

Even given their sad and disobedient history, God continues to call out to Israel. This chapter is an 'all points bulletin' calling Israel home. "Listen to me, you who pursue righteousness and who seek the LORD: Look to the rock from which you were cut and to the quarry from which you were hewn; … "Listen to me, my people; hear me, my nation: Instruction will go out from me; my justice will become a light to the nations (1,4).

As God called over and over again to Israel, God, likewise, calls to me, to you, to all… "Listen to me, you who pursue righteousness and who seek the LORD… "Listen to me, my people; hear me, my nation: Instruction will go out from me; my justice will become a light to the nations.

Listen to me… am I paying attention to the Lord? Am I honestly listening to His voice or am I simply feigning interest in the Lord? Will I really follow the Lord and His word? Listening to the Lord is more that hearing His words, it is ingesting His word and following His word.

You who pursue righteousness… can that honestly and fairly be said of me? Do I pursue righteousness? Am I seeking righteousness and justice for others??? Those who know me, would they say of me, "Ahh, Bill lived for righteousness?" Would that be one of the first things they note of me????

These questions are probing. And I believe I come up wanting as I seek to answer them honestly.

Lord God, this morning's look at self is difficult. It is painful. How greatly I need a savior. How greatly, Lord, I need You. I love You, Lord God… and I pray this in Jesus' name. Amen.

 

 

Wednesday, November 7: Isaiah 50- A Call to people lost.

The chapter has some natural divisions. Verse 4 marks the beginning of a new section, a song of the servant who will become prominent in the coming chapters. In the midst of the servant's words, verse 10, God extends a hand to those in darkness. Who among you fears the LORD and obeys the word of his servant? Let the one who walks in the dark, who has no light, trust in the name of the LORD and rely on their God.

Trust in the name of the Lord; yes, rely on God. God extends Himself to those who are lost, who are wandering in darkness. Trust. Rely on God.

This thought is reminiscent of Jesus' Word, For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost (Luke 19:10).

God longs for all to know Him and find their true home in Him. So, Jesus, the suffering servant, came to seek the lost and bring them home to God, the Father.

I am so thankful this is true, because Jesus sought me and found me and led me home. As John Newton penned, I was lost but now am found, was blind but now I see. (Amazing Grace).

Lord God, thank You for your amazing grace which drew me to You and saved me. I was lost but now am found... all due to Your love and Your grace and Your mercy. Through Jesus, my Savior, I rejoice in You. Amen.

 

Tuesday, November 6: Isaiah 49- God's love.

Earlier this year my daughter gave birth to our first grandchild, a daughter. I have some favorite pictures. One captures my wife holding our granddaughter, the two of them gazing into each other's eyes. Another is my daughter cuddling her daughter. Her hand is lovingly holding my granddaughter's head... the tenderness of her hand holding her daughter is palpable. My daughter's eyes gazing at her daughter is so tender. Care, attachment and love radiate out from every pixel of this photo.

These moments and particularly the ladder exploded in my thoughts as I read verses 15-16. Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me.

As much love as my wife has for her granddaughter, God loves us more. As much love as my daughter has for her daughter, God loves us more. Where our human love reaches its limit, God's is limitless. God is love (1John 4:4&16) we are told. This is the only attribute I can recall of which we are told God is. So profound is God's love for all and particularly His people.

For God so loved the world... John writes (John 3:16)

My hunch is that we have all read or heard stories about the wonder and power of love. Exponentially greater is God's love and the wonder and power it produces in life... Today I bask in God's love.

Thank You, Lord. Bless You, God, for Your love. Through Jesus, I pray. Amen.

 

Monday, November 5: Isaiah 48- If only.

 

This is what the LORD says— your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: "I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go. If only you had paid attention to my commands, your peace would have been like a river, your well-being like the waves of the sea. Your descendants would have been like the sand, your children like its numberless grains; their name would never be blotted out nor destroyed from before me" (17-19).

If only... two convicting words.

While the Lord spoke these words to Israel, immediately I heard them in my own heart as if spoken to me. If only you had paid attention to my commands, your peace would have been like a river, your well-being like the waves of the sea... How often my sin, my waywardness and my self-centeredness create pain in my life and in the lives of others. If only I followed God's commands. If only... if only... my life would have fewer scars.

As I ponder this I am so grateful that God in His mercy has mitigated some consequences of my ill-founded behavior.

Lord, thank You for grace, mercy and forgiveness. My life is blessed because of You. Lord, I am praying for increased strength and will to be more attentive to Your voice so that I have less 'if onlys', and more faithfulness, to You in my life. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

 

Saturday, November 3: Isaiah 47- A warning God knows, God sees.

God drops a scathing rebuke and word of judgment on Babylon who will be God's rod of correction for Judah.

As I sat and read I marveled that Isaiah, inspired by the Lord, wrote these words 150 or so years before they happened. God knows, God sees. I marveled at the Lord God Almighty above and beyond time, seeing all.

Then I checked, ancient Babylon is modern day Iraq. That once great and proud civilization has never risen again to world prominence. Disaster did come upon them as God said (11) and they never recovered.

As I was writing the above I began to understand this chapter as a warning. What God says will happen, happens, so when God says judgment will come, it will come. And when God's judgment comes, which it will, people not under the umbrella of protection afforded by the atoning work of Jesus, will face the wrath of God.

Thank you, Lord God, for opening my eyes to Jesus and moving me to confess Jesus as Lord. I pray that You would help me be an agent in this world, sharing Your love and Gospel with others so that they have an opportunity to confess You as Lord, as well. I pray this in Jesus' name. Amen.

 

Friday, November 2: Isaiah 46- The bellowing call of God.

The Lord is relentless in His pursuit of His people. God will not give up. He calls and calls to Israel His beloved.

In His call God reminds them who He is…

"Remember this, keep it in mind, take it to heart, you rebels. Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me. I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, 'My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.' From the east I summon a bird of prey; from a far-off land, a man to fulfill my purpose. What I have said, that I will bring about; what I have planned, that I will do (8-11).

Even though they are presently rebellious God calls to them and offers them salvation…

Listen to me, you stubborn-hearted, you who are now far from my righteousness. I am bringing my righteousness near, it is not far away; and my salvation will not be delayed. I will grant salvation to Zion, my splendor to Israel (12-13).

I hear in God's call to Israel, His constant call to me and to all who follow Him. Even when you stray, I will save you. Turn to Me, come back to Me when you wander, I am there for you. I love You and will always love You.

A word of hope for people who wander and stray from the Lord.

As I sit this morning, I feel God beckoning. "Come to Me, stay with Me." Although I don't feel far from the Lord at this moment, God is calling me to an ever and ever closer relationship and connection.

Lord, I am grateful that You are always there and always calling me closer. I love You, Lord, and I am ever thankful that You continually reach out to me. I pray this in Jesus' name. Amen.

 

Thursday, November 1: Isaiah 45- God is in charge now and forever.

I love the fact that this chapter opens with reference to Cyrus, who in round numbers lived 150 years after Isaiah. God is so good announcing to Israel that Cyrus will be used by God for the sake of His people Israel.

It was a few verses after the opening that I found my words for today. Still referencing Cyrus named in verse 1, verses 4-7 read: For the sake of Jacob my servant, of Israel my chosen, I summon you by name and bestow on you a title of honor, though you do not acknowledge me. I am the LORD, and there is no other; apart from me there is no God. I will strengthen you, though you have not acknowledged me, so that from the rising of the sun to the place of its setting people may know there is none besides me. I am the LORD, and there is no other. I form the light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and create disaster; I, the LORD, do all these things.

God is working on behalf of Israel so that the world will know that the Lord is God. God is determined to show the world that He exists and that He is in charge and that He is the one God above all gods.

I take such comfort in this. In a world filled with idols and demons and god-substitutes and false gods, the Lord God, Jehovah, fully revealed in the New Testament as Trinity, one God in three persons, The Father, Jesus the Son and the Holy Spirit stands alone above the fray of imposters. And this God can even use unbelieving kings for His glory. How good is that!

I sit today reveling and revering the Lord God –Father, Jesus, Holy Spirit. Thanking Him for His word in Isaiah and blessing Him for sending Jesus to be the atoning sacrifice for all who believe.

Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation. Oh, my soul praise Him for He is my help and salvation… Bless You Father, Jesus, Holy Spirit. Bless You. Through Jesus Christ, my Lord, I pray. Amen.

 

Wednesday, October 31: Isaiah 44- God alone.

The heart of this chapter is a declaration by God that He alone is God. As part of God's call to Israel, God challenges the efficacy of idols by illustrating their origins. Here is a snippet of God's challenge. They [idols] know nothing, they understand nothing; their eyes are plastered over so they cannot see, and their minds closed so they cannot understand. No one stops to think, no one has the knowledge or understanding to say, "Half of it I used for fuel; I even baked bread over its coals, I roasted meat and I ate. Shall I make a detestable thing from what is left? Shall I bow down to a block of wood?" Such a person feeds on ashes; a deluded heart misleads him; he cannot save himself, or say, "Is not this thing in my right hand a lie?" (18-20).

What an illustration. How can you make an idol out of a piece of wood and then use the leftover wood to cook your meal or warm your camp? Do you really think that fashioned piece of wood has spiritual power? God mocks Israel for believing so and calls them back home to Him, the one true God.

Today the idols I am tempted to trust in are not statues of wood or stone (although in parts of the world such temptations still exists).  What I am tempted to trust in is my education, my bank & retirement accounts, modern medicine, and other trappings of upper-middle class American life. Mind you, none of the middle class American life blessings I mentioned are bad in and of themselves.  However, when they become my trust, and my go-to for protection, they become my god because they command the majority of my attention, then I am flirting with danger.

Jesus reminds us, Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also (Matthew 6:19-21).

God invites us to treasure Him, to think on Him, to love and trust in Him...

Lord God, be the center of my life. Be my first thought of the day and my last thought at night. Guide me and lead me until you take me home to be with You forever. Through Jesus Christ, my Lord, I pray. Amen.

 

Tuesday, October 30: Isaiah 43- God is with me forever and always.

In a word to Israel I found my devotional spot. In a word to Israel I found a meditation treasure. But now, this is what the LORD says— he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: "Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I give Egypt for your ransom, Cush and Seba in your stead (1-3).

As a human being God formed me and as a disciple of Jesus, God redeemed me, so my heart receives this as a word speaking to me.

As I was writing the last line, I felt God prompt me to send these verses to a friend who is going through a difficult time. So I did that right away. (I know myself and if I don't do it soon, I forget things as life moves on...). I don't know if/how this might speak to my friend; I leave that in God's hands.

Oh, what comfort these words bring to me. God is with me forever and always. And this is exactly what Jesus promised in the end of Matthew's Gospel when He said, "And I will be with you always to the very end of the age" (Matthew 28:20).

Lord God, I am so blessed to not walk this life alone, to have You always by my side, leading, guiding, directing, protecting, caring and loving. Thank You, Lord God. I take a moment to pray for people who don't know You. How lonely life can feel... please open their eyes to You. I pray in Jesus' name. Amen.

 

Monday, October 29: Isaiah 42- The Lord suffers no rivals .

Verse 8 arrested my attention. "I am the LORD; that is my name! I will not yield my glory to another or my praise to idols.

I know elsewhere in the Bible God says that He is a jealous God which is similar to what verse 8 says. Still verse 8 stopped me in my tracks.

I will not yield my glory to another... That is a strong statement. I keep rolling around in my thoughts the words I will not yield... An absolute definitive statement.

The Lord suffers no rivals. God will not allow anyone to pretend to His throne!

Subsequently, this means that I best not allow anyone or anything to rival the Lord in my own life. I need to keep focused on the Lord and not let my heart to run after other gods.

God, thank You for this word. Thank You for this reminder. Lord, give me Your strength to keep my eyes glued on You and You alone as Lord and God and Savior. I pray in Jesus' name. Amen

 

Saturday, October 27: Isaiah 41- .

I found myself personalizing verses again today. This time 9-10: I took you from the ends of the earth, from its farthest corners I called you. I said, 'You are my servant'; I have chosen you and have not rejected you. So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand'.

Certainly through Jesus, God has called people from across the globe and ushered them into His family. To His people as a collective and to each one of us, He has called us to be His servant. God has chosen me. I need not fear because God is with me. I don't need to be dismayed for the Lord is my God. When I am weak Jesus through the Spirit will strengthen me. Every day the Lord upholds me with His righteous right hand.

What a wonderful promise...

God is with me. He has reiterated this over and over again in the NT.

I sit today remembering and realizing that God is with me... I am His and He is mine!

Jesus, thank You for calling me and saving me. Thank You for providing everything I need to be Yours. It is only by Your grace that I am saved and adopted into the Father's family. Praise be to , Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

 

Friday, October 26: Isaiah 40- All this for me and you.

I sit here awed by the wonder and scope of Isaiah 40. Like a grand holiday meal, there is far more in this chapter than I can possibly ingest in a single sitting. Where should I linger? What portion should I savor? I sit and am still...

I sense the chapter opening drawing me back. Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for, that she has received from the LORD's hand double for all her sins (1-2).

I substitute my name for Jerusalem and personalize these verses: Comfort, comfort, my son, says your God. Speak tenderly to Bill, and proclaim to him that his hard service has been completed, that his sin has been paid for, and that he has received, from the LORD's hand, double for all his sins.

Jesus has done all this for me. On the cross Jesus paid the price of my sins and then some. He offered far more than I could ever have paid. Honestly, how can you put a value on the life of God's one and only Son? If ever there truly was a priceless gift or item, it would be the gift of Jesus' life for my sins, for your sins, for the sins of the world. No matter the cumulative cost of human sin, the cost of Jesus' life is far greater.

God giving His life for me... that truth still staggers me.

Even as I contemplate the gift of Jesus and try to comprehend this gift of Jesus, I recognize that I am barely scratching the surface of this gift from Jesus. On that day when God says to me directly, "Your hard service has been paid for and your sins forgiven... come and enter My happiness" I will know even more fully the extent of Jesus' gift.

Oh, to sit and delight in God –Father, Jesus, Spirit. What a gift this morning with the Lord has been.

Oh, Jesus, thank You. Oh, Father, thank You. Oh, Holy Spirit, thank You. You are my light and salvation. I praise You and bless You for the comfort You give now and always... Through Jesus Christ, my Savior, I pray. Amen.

 

Thursday, October 25: Isaiah 39- Insulating ourselves from others pain.

I was surprised by Hezekiah's response that he would be glad the punishment would not happen during his lifetime. "The word of the LORD you have spoken is good," Hezekiah replied. For he thought, "There will be peace and security in my lifetime" (8).

It surprised me that Hezekiah didn't seem to care that Israel would be carried away to a foreign land.

His response made me realize how easy it is to get caught up in our own lives and futures and miss pain and suffering around us. I am not proud to say that I can insulate my life from the pain of others. I can be close-hearted and uncaring.

These thoughts are troubling me. Jesus seemed to be very present with people he met. Am I? I know I am not responsible to solve all the world's problems. The real question is. am I caring enough to help those in need?

Hezekiah seems self-focused, not caring about what would happen to some, even in his own family. This is not a good trait for a man who, up to now, has been highly faithful.

Even good people have weak spots… Hezekiah seems to display one in today's chapter. More importantly… am I learning about some of my own?

Lord God, I confess that I am imperfect and need much help, grace, and mercy. Forgive me for my selfishness, and help me to grow in honest love for brothers and sisters, particularly those in need. I pray in Jesus' name. Amen

 

Wednesday, October 24: Isaiah 38- Death knocking at the door.

As I read this chapter I wonder how a faithful man like Hezekiah can fear death so much. I have seen this in life as well. God loving, faithful people, brothers or sisters in Christ, scared to death of death. Being there with folks in those moments, often I find that some misbelief is at the root of fear.

As we read on we learn Hezekiah had some misbeliefs as well. For example, For the grave cannot praise you, death cannot sing your praise; those who go down to the pit cannot hope for your faithfulness (18). Death is not the end. Death is the doorway to life forever more for God's children, faithful followers of Jesus. Hezekiah didn't understand this. Apparently he saw death as a pit –that imagery alone invites fear of death. He saw death as a separator from God, those who go down to the pit cannot hope for your faithfulness.  I would be frightened of that as well!

Thankfully the New Testament clarifies these wrong perceptions.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-16: Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lord's word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.

1 Corinthians 15:51-52: Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed—in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.

I could turn to other verses. Hezekiah was mistaken, people who die in the Lord Jesus go to be with him and will live with God –Father, Jesus, Holy Spirit –forever in eternity. Check out Revelation 21 and 22 for more on that life.

I do not long for death. My desire is to serve the Lord for many years still. And when death comes, I pray that I can embrace it with the same faith I have lived life... absolute belief that my life is safe in Jesus' hands.

Lord God, I rededicate my remaining years to You and I look forward to eternity with You and all Your family from the entire span of time. I pray this in Jesus' name. Amen. 

 

Tuesday, October 23: Isaiah 37- Powerful and effective prayer.

Today we read Hezekiah's response to the threats of the king of Assyria. Immediately Hezekiah tore his clothes and put on sackcloth and went into the temple of the LORD (1).

Hezekiah went to be with his Lord and he abased himself before God. Humbled, Hezekiah knew he was in trouble and that he didn't have power or strength to oppose Assyria's King on his own. His first impulse was to go to the Lord. Many times in Israel's history, when faced with a sizable foe, they turned to other kings and other countries for protection. Egypt was a favorite 'helper.' Hezekiah understood that God, the Lord, was his only true protector.

I pondered Hezekiah's prayer: "LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, enthroned between the cherubim, you alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth. Give ear, LORD, and hear; open your eyes, LORD, and see; listen to all the words Sennacherib has sent to ridicule the living God.

"It is true, LORD, that the Assyrian kings have laid waste all these peoples and their lands. They have thrown their gods into the fire and destroyed them, for they were not gods but only wood and stone, fashioned by human hands. Now, LORD our God, deliver us from his hand, so that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that you, LORD, are the only God" (16-20).

This prayer is 117 words long. The average conversational speaking rate is 110-150 words per minute, so Hezekiah's prayer took about 1 minute. Sometimes we think that we need to inundate God with our prayers and words. And while there are times to spend significant time with the Lord in praying, speaking and listening, we need not do that all the time or with every need.

Hezekiah prayed a powerful and effective prayer in a minute.

Looking over his prayer, Hezekiah begins by honoring and hallowing the Lord. Then he states the issue as he sees it, Sennacherib ridiculed God with his boasts. Interestingly Hezekiah's heart pounded with God's honor above his safety. Honestly, that probably would not have been my prayer... I suspect I would have been frightened for my safety.

Hezekiah next acknowledges the might of Assyria, but quickly calls on God to defend them, which he absolutely believes God can do. Faith in the Lord is my second observation. Utter faith in God.

After all this pondering I am brought to a similar place as yesterday. Be a Hezekiah, a man of faith, a man of pray and trust in the Lord.

Oh, Lord, give me the strength to keep my focus on You, Lord, at all times, in all seasons.  Help me grow as a man of prayer, prayer that honors You and has supreme faith in You. I pray in Jesus' name. Amen.

 

Monday, October 22: Isaiah 36- When trials come your way.

Hezekiah was one of the premier and faithful kings in Judah in the Old Testament. He loved the Lord and led well. Then in the 14^th year of his reign, the entire region was attacked by Sennacherib, King of Assyria. And during that time the Assyrian army laid siege to Jerusalem. Hezekiah had some advanced warning during which time he fortified the walls and dug an amazing channel to bring fresh water from a spring outside the city wall into the city. At the same time he covered and hid the spring.

Hezekiah was no fool, he did everything he could to prepare for invasion. In time the mighty Assyrian army came and besieged the city. Even with the strengthened city, Judah was no match for Assyria, the dominant world power of the region.

Stuff happens I thought. Hezekiah prepared as best he could, still prospects looked grim.

With the siege came the taunting... Then the commander stood and called out in Hebrew, "Hear the words of the great king, the king of Assyria! This is what the king says: Do not let Hezekiah deceive you. He cannot deliver you! Do not let Hezekiah persuade you to trust in the LORD when he says, 'The LORD will surely deliver us; this city will not be given into the hand of the king of Assyria.' "Do not listen to Hezekiah. This is what the king of Assyria says: Make peace with me and come out to me. Then each of you will eat fruit from your own vine and fig tree and drink water from your own cistern, until I come and take you to a land like your own—a land of grain and new wine, a land of bread and vineyards. "Do not let Hezekiah mislead you when he says, 'The LORD will deliver us.' Have the gods of any nations ever delivered their lands from the hand of the king of Assyria? (13-18).

Hezekiah kept his focus on the Lord and he kept the people looking to the Lord as well.

I thought, Lord, there is my devotional nugget for today. Keep my focus on the Lord.

·         When the skies are dark and cloudy... keep my focus on the Lord.

·         When life is sunny and good... keep my focus on the Lord.

·         When people are down and distraught around me... keep my focus on the Lord.

·         When I am tired and exhausted with too much to do or the strain and stress of life... keep my focus on the Lord. 

·         When I feel like giving up... keep my focus on the Lord.

Be a Hezekiah, a man of faith, a man of follow-though.

Oh, Lord, give me the strength to keep my focus on You, Lord, at all times, in all seasons until I close my eyes in death. I pray in Jesus' name. Amen.