Friday, September 9: Isaiah 14- Ditto yesterday!.

 

It was as if today’s reading was a huge exclamation point to yesterday’s meditation. Today, not only does God foretell the coming judgment/punishment of Babylon again, but God adds judgment on Assyria and Philistia, two other nations that oppressed and harassed Israel throughout the generations.

Message to me… God has absolute control, absolute power, and absolute sovereignty!

Interestingly, the chapter began proclaiming God’s compassion and hence God’s love for Israel. The LORD will have compassion on Jacob; once again he will choose Israel and will settle them in their own land. Aliens will join them and unite with the house of Jacob. Nations will take them and bring them to their own place. And the house of Israel will possess the nations as menservants and maidservants in the LORD's land. They will make captives of their captors and rule over their oppressors (1-2).

God loves His people, and God will care for His people.  After a time of discipline, God will release His favor once again. So deep is God’s love for His people.

Lord, You make a distinction between Your people and people who do not serve You. Your people You punish and restore… discipline to correct followed by grace to restore. However, those who don’t serve You receive, who reject You… they receive only discipline and wrath…

Lord, this makes me all the more appreciative of the relationship You have granted me. Lord, I am honored and amazed that You revealed Yourself to me in a way that caused me to respond to You will love and honor and service. Thank You and bless You, O Lord. Through Jesus, My Savior. Amen.