An Extraordinary Task

O. T. #1596  "An Extraordinary Task"
Dec. 31, 2019
Isaiah 20

LET IT GLOW

What a time for this challenge for us believers as the new years is tomorrow. Is there a burden upon your heart, an unanswered prayer, or are you seeking God's will in a particular area of your life? Maybe it is a time for prayer and fasting, friend. In this chapter, God asked Isaiah to do something we would consider extraordinary. Would we be obedient if God asked us to obey some extraordinary task?

This oracle is a continuation of chapter 19, extending the prediction of what would happen to Egypt, Ethiopia, and the Jews. It was in the year that Ashdod, a strong Philistine city, was taken by the Assyrian army. Tartan, was an Assyrian general who led the siege.

Isaiah had been wearing a sackcloth for some time. Sackcloth was a coarse loose cloth or sacking (used in mourning and for begging). Some think he wore this sackcloth in mourning for  the ten tribes of Israel, as they were captives of Assyria. Others think it was what he commonly wore as a prophet. While others considered it a way of showing himself mortified to the world, and that he might learn to endure hardness. Soft clothing was worn by those in the king's palace (Matthew 11:8). Elijah wore hair-cloth (2Kings1:8), as well as John the Baptist (Matthew 3:4), and those that pretended to be prophets (Zech. 13:4).

Now, God gave Prophet Isaiah an unusual task-take off the burlap sackcloth he had been wearing and remove his sandals. Verse 2b tells us that Isaiah did so and walked naked and barefoot.
The word naked means nude; either partially or totally naked.

Matthew Henry's Commentary suggests:

He was not doing this to exchange the sackcloth for better clothing, but for none at all-no upper garment, no mantle, cloak, or coat, but only that which was next to him, we may suppose his shirt, waistcoat, and drawers; also, going barefoot. So that compared with the dress of others, and what he himself usually wore, he might be said to go naked. This was a great hardship upon the prophet; it was a blemish to his reputation, and would expose him to contempt and ridicule. God bade him do it, that he might give a proof of his obedience to God in a most difficult command, and so shame the disobedience of his people to the most easy and reasonable precepts.

He was to do this for 3 years as a sign to the Ethiopians and Egyptians that they would be taken away as captives by the king of Assyria, thus stripped, or in rags, and very shabby clothing, as Isaiah was.
It is argued that Isaiah went about barefoot and in his undergarment, or tunic. The shocking of this was a way to gain the attention of the people to severity of his prediction. They had an opportunity to ask Isaiah what the meaning of his doing was.
The Assyrians usually stripped their captives naked and deported them. Those who were killed were also stripped and had their skin peeled while they were still alive. If Egypt did not repent, this horrible event was soon coming to them.

If we were suddenly stripped of our religious practices, church doors closed, and we were forced to stop gathering as believers and worshipers of Jesus Christ, what would we do? Would we do it in secret and privately? Or would we drop our faith altogether?

LET IT GROW

What Isaiah did was also a warning to Judah to not seek the help of foreign nations, but to turn to God.
Considering the unique instructions God gave Isaiah, He may ask us to take steps we don't understand. It may not be as extreme as Isaiah had to follow, but it may be something that we are ridiculed for doing. We must obey God in complete faith, for He will never ask us to do something wrong.
One time, I followed the Nazarite vow; I didn't cut my hair, did not touch a dead body (one of my kittens was hit by a car and died), and did not eat pork. It was during the time that our church was building a new sanctuary and issues were always coming at us, to discourage and stop the progress. Folks snickered at me, but God was faithful in helping us complete the building, debt free. He honored this prayer and fasting and extraordinary vow that I took on all by myself. It was worth all that I endured when we walked in the sanctuary for the first service, after three years.  Glory to God in the Highest!

Are we willing to something extraordinary for an extraordinary God if He asks us?

LET IT GO

Make my life extraordinary for Jesus' glory.

From Judgment to Blessing

O. T. #1595  "From Judgment to Blessing"
Dec. 30, 2019
Isaiah 19
For the LORD of Heaven's Armies will say, "Blessed be Egypt, My people. Blessed be Assyria, the land I have made. Blessed be Israel, My special possession." (verse 25, NLT)

LET IT GLOW

6. the Burden, Oracle, or Message to Egypt

Isaiah's prophecies against Ethiopia, Babylon, Jerusalem, and Tyre may have been given between 714 and 701 B.C. During this time Ethiopia allied itself with Assyria to gain control of Egypt. (The One Year Chronological Bible, New Living Translation)

This is an unusual prophecy in that it is a message of judgment and blessing. During this time, Judah to depend upon an Egyptian alliance against the threat of Assyria. Isaiah warned the people of Judah to not depend on a foreign army instead of the divine and sovereign protection of her God. Later, in 671 B.C., Egypt fell to Assyria's control for about 20 years.

We can recall Is. 14:24 and 26-27, God said, Surely as I have planned it, so it will be, and as I have purposed, so it will stand. This is the plan determined for the whole world; this the hand stretched out over all the nations. For the LORD Almighty has purposed, and who can thwart Him? His hand is stretched out, and who can turn it back?

What things would happen to Egypt if they did not turn away from idolatry and believe in the One True God?

• There will be a civil war in Egypt. (verse 2) John MacArthur said, "Disunity and internal strife because of idolatry are to spell the end of Egypt's greatness."
• God would dry up Egypt's only water source, the Nile River. 
• There would be no agricultural crops for export-grain for food, papyrus for paper, flax for linen, as well as no fish. (verses 7-9)

God's judgment of Egypt embraces four major aspects of Egyptian life-government, religion, wealth, and wisdom. (Falwell)

All of those will fail and Egypt will have no one to turn to for help but to God. Their idols, charmers, familiar spirits, and wizards will fail them. Do we see the power and wisdom of God? He knows what it takes to get the attention of people.

Friend, are you dealing with troubles beyond your control? Turn to God today. He has the answer.

LET IT GLOW

Isaiah predicts what will happen to Egypt in the future during the second coming of Christ:

•  Egypt will fear Judah and their God. The Egyptians will speak Hebrew, Judah's language; they will worship Judah's God; an altar to the LORD in Egypt, and a monument to Him at its border. (verses 16-19)
• The Egyptians will cry to the LORD for help against their oppressors, so He will send them a Savior, Christ, to rescue them. (verse 20)
• They will know the LORD and give sacrifices and offerings to Him. Also, when they make vows to God, they will keep them. (verse 20)
• God will heal the land of Egypt, which He has smitten. (verse 22)
• A highway will run from Egypt, through Israel, and to Assyria. (verse 23)

Will that be remarkable! Egypt and Assyria will be blessed by God since they will be at peace with Israel during this time. They will become God's people. All the way back to Moses' day, Egypt has worshiped their false gods, but in the future, they will worship God. Such mercy!

LET IT GO

May my life bless You, my God.
May it bless others, as Jesus is shared.

Changed Hearts

O.T. #1594  "Changed Hearts"
Dec. 27, 2019
Isaiah 18
At that time gifts will be brought to the LORD Almighty from a people tall and smooth-skinned, from a people feared far and wide, an aggressive nation of strange speech, whose land is divided by river-the gifts will be brought to Mount Zion, the place of the Name of the LORD Almighty. (Verse 7)

LET IT GLOW

5. The Burden, Oracle, or Message to Cush

The biblical country of Ethiopia was also called Cush. It is modern day Sudan in Africa. It is located south of Egypt, has the Nile River running through it, and has the Red Sea on its eastern boarder. The Ethiopia dynasty conquered Egypt in 714 B.C.. Then the king of Ethiopia heard that Assyria's great army was heading their way so he sent messengers to surrounding nations to join them in an alliance. Isaiah told the messengers to return home, Judah was only depending upon God for help against Assyria. Ethiopia was overtaken by the Assyrians. (Later, in chapter 37, Isaiah prophesied the destruction of Assyria.)
Keep in mind, God is warning these nations through Isaiah's prophesies. They were idolaters and worshiped false gods.

LET IT GROW

Isaiah looks beyond this time to a day when the Ethiopians would pay tribute to the LORD of Hosts and would come to Mount Zion as believers in the True God (Acts 8:26-40). (Falwell)
This is when Philip preached Jesus to the Ethiopian eunuch, who was reading Isaiah 53.

Read our key verse. In 1992, a pastor to Dinka people in Sudan, read this chapter and got excited. Their women were more than 6 feet tall and smooth skin. Revival broke out then. He wrote a letter about this. Kay Arthur received this letter in 2003 and told about this.

All things are possible with our God.

Are we preaching, teaching, or sharing Jesus with others today?
Our God is working His plan. Is the Bible being fulfilled before our eyes?
Are we ready for the Lord Jesus to rapture out His church and come back to earth to reign?
He's got it all under control and in His time.

LET IT GO

Jesus, You are so merciful and trustworthy.

Who is Your Rock of Strength?

O. T. #1593  "Who is Your Rock of Strength?"
Dec. 26, 2019
Isaiah 17
Because thou hast forgotten the God of thy salvation, and hast not been mindful of the rock of thy strength, therefore shalt thou plant pleasant plants, and shalt set it with strange slips.
(verse 10)

LET IT GLOW

4. The Burden, Oracle, or Message to Damascus

At that day shall a man look to his Maker, and his eyes shall have respect to the Holy One of Israel.  (verse 7)

Damascus was the capital of Syria, sometimes called Aram. It was located northeast of Mt. Hermon on the main land route between Mesopotamia and Egypt, which made it very influential (east of the Dad Sea). The Assyrians destroyed Damascus in 732 B.C. (MacArthur)

There is usually something good that comes from the judgment of God on these nations. The purpose of this severe judgment on Syria is to awaken a remnant so they repent of their sins and depend upon the Lord. Do we look to God our Creator?

LET IT GROW

Ephraim and Jacob were names used for Israel, the northern kingdom. They made an alliance with Aram (Syria) to fight against Assyria. However, Assyria captured Damascus in 732 BC, who turned to idols,  and annexed the northern kingdom of Israel. Then Ahaz, Judah'[s king, paid tribute to the king of Assyria (2 Kings 16).

Life Application Study Bible warns us:

Often we depend on the trappings of success  (expensive cars, pastimes, clothes, homes) to give us fulfillment. But God says we will reap grief and pain if we have depended on temporal things to give us eternal security. If we don't want the same treatment Damascus received, we must turn from these false allurements and trust in God.

Look at verses 6-10. What names for God does Isaiah use?

• LORD God of Israel (verse 6)
• the Holy One of Israel (verse 7)
• the God of thy salvation (verse 10)
• the rock of thy strength (verse 10).

David said often in Psalms that God was his rock and salvation. Rock refers to a cliff; a refuge; mighty God (one) rock; strength.
Psalm 73:26 says, God is the strength of my heart, my portion forever.

When we are in need of strength, we can run to the Rock of our salvation, our God.

LET IT GO

Remind me to run to You, the Rock of my strength when I am weak; when I need encouragement.

Christmas Day 2019

Christmas Day 2019

Merry Christmas to you and your family today, friends!

Last night, we spent time with our son's family and new church family (candelight service). We will get to face time our daughter and her family today. What a joy!

I am so thankful that you have taken the time to join me in studying the Scriptures this year. I feel like we have become close friends through Jesus.

Haven't we enjoyed finding the prophesies of the Savior, Messiah, Jesus Christ, being shared by Isaiah? How timely it is.

Isaiah 7:14-A virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call His name Immanuel. God With Us.

Isaiah 9:6-His name shall be called Wonderful Counsellor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 11:1, 6-Jesus is the rod, stem, and Branch of Jesse, of the Davidic line. He is Savior to us Gentiles. When we seek Him, we will have the glorious rest of Jesus.

I pray Jesus will be wonderful and mighty in your life. And He will give you peace today.

Have a great day. If you can, join us tomorrow as we look into chapter 17.

In His Love,
Linda

Do You Have Joy?

O. T. #1592  "Do You Have Joy?"
Dec. 24, 2019
Isaiah 15-16
Send ye the lamb to the ruler of the land from Sela to the wilderness, unto the mount of the daughter of Zion.  (16:1)

LET IT GLOW

3. The Burden, Oracle, or Message to Moab

Do you recall the background of the Moabites? Back in Genesis 18-19, we read about Lot (Abraham's nephew) and his two daughters escaping the destruction of Sodom. Moab was conceived through Lots incestuous relations with his older daughter. (How horrible!) Moab had always been Israel's enemy. The Moabites oppressed Israel and invaded their land (Judges 3:12-14) and fought against both Saul and David. Then in 2 Samuel, we read about King David defeating Moab. The Moabites were shepherds and gave yearly tribute to David of lambs and wool. Later, they rebelled and stopped sending the tributes

The land of Moab was located east of the Dead Sea. In chapter 15, we read about the prophesy of the devastation of when the Assyrians would conquered them. God brought judgment upon Moab, the center of pagan idolatry. There would be no green grass nor water in the land, but there would be weeping of the remnant. Their false god could do nothing to help Moab. Gladness, joy, singing and shouting, as well as wine were taken away from Moab. Has trouble taken away your joy during this time of celebration, the birth of Christ the Messiah?

After the Assyrians attacked Moab, the Moabite refugees would flee to Sela, which refers to Petra the capital of Edom, in the south. The only hope for Moab will be found in making peace with Judah, thus, send the lamb meant to pay tribute to the Davidic dynasty again. Jerusalem would be a safe refuge for a while. Isaiah advised Judah to accept them as a sign of compassion during the enemy's time of devastation.

LET IT GROW

During the millennial, when Christ shall sit upon the throne of David, He will extend His mercy toward the remnant of Moab. (Falwell)

John the Baptist declared Jesus to be the Lamb of God which takes away the sins of the world. Is He your sacrificial lamb that died to take away your sins? If He is, then you have reason to sing, rejoice, and celebrate the birth of your Savior. Do you need your joy restored amidst the hurry of the season?
Let Jesus restore it, dear one.

Let the joy of your heart become joy to the world. (David Jeremiah)

LET IT GO

May I sing with joy, my King Jesus has saved my soul!
May I live with gladness this life You have given me.
Merry Christmas, everyone!!

Hope

O. T. #1591  "Hope"
Dec. 23, 2019
Isaiah 14, 2019
The LORD of Hosts hath sworn, saying, Surely as I have thought, so shall it come to pass; and as I have purposes, so shall it stand.  (verse 24)


LET IT GLOW

1. The Burden, Oracle, or Message to Assyria
Assyria conquered Israel in 722 BC.
Isaiah foretold this and it happened. In our key verse, the Lord spoke.
Can we apply this verse to our life?

• Whatever God has planned for us, it will happen. 
• It will come to pass. 
• As He has purposes, it will be.  
• No one can change His plans. 
• When His hand is raised, no one can stop it.  

Now God gives Isaiah another prophesy concerning Assyria. In 612 B.C., the mighty Empire of Babylon conquered the Empire of Assyria, as they destroyed Nineveh, its capital. Thus, in 605, Babylon conquered Judah.

God's hand of judgment was stretched out back then, and it is still stretched out to those nations for their rebellion against Him. He chose Assyria as His instrument for punishing Israel, yet Assyria was still held responsible for its evil actions and punished by God. (Micah 5:5,6)
So America needs to continue to support the Beloved Israel. What God has purposed cannot be annulled or stopped.

Whom shall we fear? The God of Angel armies is always by our side. He goes before us and stand behind us. Nothing formed against us shall stand. He holds the whole world in His hands. How faithful God is! He is the One who reigns forever. Be of good cheer, dear one, God is in control.

So long ago, God and Jesus put together a plan for a Savior, Messiah, to come to a dark world to save the people from their sins. For unto us, a child was born-Jesus. The Old Testament people and prophets believed He was coming; we believe He came; and future believers will believe He is coming a second time. Let us not loose faith.


LET IT GROW

2. The Burden, Oracle, or Message to Philistia
The Philistines were told to not rejoice against Israel (conquered by Assyria) since the king who attacked them was dead. The world power Babylon would conquer Assyria and the Philistines would be conquered, too. The survivors will be wiped out with famine.

The LORD has built Jerusalem; its walls will give refuge to His oppressed people. Judah would be restored.
God is a faithful friend to His people and church. We need not fear what man can do, for our God is greater. He is our hope today and for all eternity. Our enemy, Satan, will be defeated in the end. do I hear an amen? Be of good cheer, Jesus is our Overcomer.


LET IT GO

Jesus is my hope.
Keep me a faithful servant of Yours, Jesus.
To You be the glory.

Rest

O. T. #1590  "Rest"
Dec. 20, 2019
Isaiah 14
And it shall come to pass in the day that the LORD shall give thee rest from thy sorrow, and from thy fear, and from the hard bondage wherein thou wast made to serve. (verse 3)


LET IT GLOW

Friend, could you use a little quiet time to just settle down in a comfy chair and breathe? Christmas time can be such a hurried time and stressful time if we allow it. It can be hard on the mothers who hold down a job, need to prepare food, and shop for the children. If you are there, remember, you are not alone. The Savior we worship on Sunday and at Christmas, is with us through it all. Are we singing those carols as we go along our way?

Isaiah was able to see down through the corridor of time to the captivity of Judah in Babylon, then Babylon's fall, and the return of Israel to her own land. (Judah would be reestablished under the name of Israel.)

In that day, God would give rest from what?

• They would rest from sorrow,
• from fear,
• and from hard bondage.

 Rest means to settle down; to dwell, stay, remain.

The Israelites would be freed from captivity after 70 years. Israel would again possess the land in the land of the LORD. The tables would turn and those who  Israeli people serve them would serve the Israeli people.

Need some rest from sorrow, fear, or bondage? Jesus is the answer, dear one.


LET IT GROW

Verse 7 says, The whole earth is at rest, and is quiet: they break forth into singing.

With a tyrant off the throne, the whole would be at peace. Isn't that a cause to sing with a joyful heart?
The angels sang as the birth of King Jesus was announced to the shepherds.
 Of course, this can represent the millennial conditions, too. Satan will be defeated and Jesus will reign forever as our King. Woohoo!


LET IT GO

Thank You, Jesus, for rest You give to me.
Take my sorrow, fears, and bondage today.
Change my heart into singing Your praises.

Go Tell It On The Mountain

O. T. #1589 "Go Tell It On The Mountain" 
Dec. 19, 2019
Isaiah 13

LET IT GLOW

Thank you everyone for your faithfulness to join together as we study this book of the Bible. I pray you will continue through these difficult prophesies ahead. Chapters 13-23 are burdens (oracles) written to 7 different nations. They are pagan nations surrounding Judah, which Prophet Isaiah saw visions of their future divine judgment. So please stick with us.

So I sat down and made out my own timeline of events which happened to Judah. It was easier for me, being a visual learner, to comprehend so many events that Isaiah wrote about.  (The years are B.C., Before Christ's birth.) Keep in mind that Judah will have a remnant of believers who will remain faithful to God through it all. It is through them, the lineage of David, that the Messiah, Jesus Christ will come.

                                                                              70 Years of Judah's Captivity
                                                                            {                                               }
722            701               612                             605                  586                   559-530
/_________/__________/_________________/___________/____________/________________
Israel          Assyria         Nineveh,                   Babylon           Jerusalem       King Cyrus
Falls to       Fails to         Assyria's Capital       Invades            and Temple     the Great
Assyria       Conquer                                         Judah               Destroyed       Conquers                         
                    Judah            conquered                                                                 Babylon
                                         by Babylon
                                                                                   



539-538        537                    458                    445                  336-285
___/_______/_____________/____________/____________/_______________________________
 Persia           1st Jew            2nd Group      3rd Group          Alexander
Joined            Returnees       Returnees       Returnees           the     
With               to                   w/Ezra            w/Nehemiah       Great
Medes            Jerusalem                                                         Rules
                     w/Zerebbabel                                                     World



1. The Burden of Babylon
    
Isaiah sees into the future when Babylon Empire will be overtaken by the Medes.
What is he to do, according to verses 1-3?

• Lift up a banner upon the high mountain;
• exalt the voice unto them, call up an army against Babylon;
• wave your hand to encourage them as they march into the palaces of the high and mighty;
• the LORD called mighty warriors to express His anger, and they will rejoice when He is exalted.

Isaiah was told to go tell it on the mountain.
In Matthew 28:19, Jesus tells us to Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.

This is a good season for us to use the opportunity to tell our family, friends, and neighbors about the true reason for the season-Jesus Christ.                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                            

LET IT GROW

Babylon is modern day Iraq. Verses 19-22 tell us that they both will be in utter ruin. Buried in sand. One day they will uninhabited, too. Perhaps it will take the vanishing of oil there or a war.
At any rate, we know God destroyed Babylon and He can do it to Iraq.

LET IT GO

Share the good news, a Savior has come, died for our sins, and rose from the grave, now sitting at the right hand of God, making intercession for us.
Halleluiah!

Singing Christmas Carols

O. T. #1588  "Singing Christmas Carols"
Dec. 18, 2019
Isaiah 12-Part 2

LET IT GLOW

One of the things I enjoy at Christmas time is hearing and singing the Christmas carols. Perhaps it is because we only do it once a year. And to hear the children sing them at church, that is an enjoyed blessing. Since my husband is no longer pastoring, for the first time, we got to see and hear our granddaughter in her Christmas program at church. Our daughter shares by way of video on the phone, the other grandchildren, too. Now that brightens up my day!

The second part of the evangelical song, a praise song or hymn, written in this chapter, was prepared for the Jews to sing whenever God delivered them from captivity, testifying to the rest of the world about His greatness and majesty. It is written, also, to be sung during the Day of the Lord, when the Messianic kingdom is established on earth. God is our strength, song, and salvation. Can we sing it today?

In that day shall ye say, Praise the LORD, call upon His name, declare His doings among the people, make mention that His name is exalted. (verse 4)

Since this applies to us, what are we, God's children, to do?

• Praise the Lord. Praise, in the Hebrew language, means to use the hand; revere or worship; thank.
• Call upon His name. Call is to address by name; proclaim; publish; read.
• Declare His doings among the people. Declare is to know; acknowledge. Doings are act; work; in the sense of effecting.
• Make mention that His name is exalted. Mentions means to remember; be mindful; think on.
• Exalt Jesus!

As we praise the Lord is worship, we can raise our hands to revere Him.
How are you calling upon The name of Jesus? Prayer, reading His Word, proclaiming Jesus is the Messiah and Savior?
Do we acknowledge the works of God, the acts of God in our life, how He is effecting us? Are we sharing these?
Do we remember to exalt and think on the glorious name of Jesus?
Are we looking for opportunities to do this?

LET IT GROW

Sing unto the LORD; for He hath done excellent things: this is known in all the earth. Cry out and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion: for great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee. (verses 5-6)

Are we singing, crying out, and shouting (shout aloud for joy; rejoice; sing) praises unto the Lord Jesus?
What excellent things has Jesus done for you and me?
He left heaven to walk among men, to show us the way of life, to give us a hope of eternity, given us His Word, and saved our soul, just to name a few. Is He in your midst today?

Not only that, but God gave me a second breath of life after surgery, some 18 years ago and kept my heart beating, when dehydrated, some 5 years ago. That is my reason to sing His praises!

LET IT GO

Great is the Holy One of Israel, Jesus Christ the King!!!
Rejoice, Emmanuel has come to us!
Joy to the world, the Lord is come!
Love came down at Christmas!

Who is Your Strength, Song, and Salvation?

O. T. #1587  "Who is Your Strength, Song, and Salvation?"
Dec. 17, 2019
Isaiah 12
Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song: He also is become my salvation. (verse 2)

LET IT GLOW

Isaiah has introduced us to the coming Immanuel, God With Us, who was to be miraculously born of a virgin. He would be the Gift-Child who would assume the government of His kingdom. We are told that this Messiah is Mighty God Himself (10:21), whose rule will bring peace through His wonderful counsel. Finally, we are told that the tree of David will be reduced to a stump. Yet, Judah need not fear; for the time will come when God's King will sit on that throne as a Branch that sprouts from the root-shoot of Jesse into an everlasting kingdom. All of this speaks of Jesus Christ the King! (Resource: Liberty Bible Commentary)

In this chapter, there are two songs of praise found in verses 1-3 and 4-6.

In verse 1, we are told that the God's anger would no longer be directed at the people of Judah. In that day they will praise Him. (The verb form of praise is expressed as a continual action.)

Not only is this a word of encouragement for Judah, but for us. Jesus came to earth to be our Savior. He is also coming back to earth to establish His kingdom reign on earth as King of kings, the only King. He will be praised then, too. His kingdom is everlasting in heaven.

Will we continue to praise our Savior? Will we sing for joy today? Oh, come let us adore Him, Christ our King.


LET IT GROW

I enjoy listening to Christmas music on the radio and sing along with it.

The first hymn celebrates the singer's deliverance from great distress in verse 2-3:

• Behold, low, see. Are we paying attention?
• God is my salvation; my salvation is God Himself. Salvation means deliverance; aid; victory.
• I will trust and not be afraid. Trust refers to hie (go quickly) for refuge. Afraid is to be startled (by a sudden alarm).
• The LORD JEHOVAH is my strength. LORD refers to He (who) is; Adonai. Jehovah is Self-Existent or Eternal; strength is security, majesty, praise.
• He is my song. Song refers to instrumental music; praise.
• He is become my salvation.
• With joy ye shall draw water from the wells of salvation. Joy is cheerfulness, gladness, rejoicing. Water is a symbol of a type of salvation.

We can find reassurance when God is our salvation, Deliverer. When we trust in Him, we will not be afraid or startled. When we think about our LORD, He who is Eternal, then He is our strength and Majesty. Do we praise our Savior in song? Is He our victory and joy?

Calvin says that the singer declares everything necessary for a supporting life flows to us from the undeserved goodness of God. Grace, God's grace that He shows us.

Is our soul thirsty today? Jesus is our supply of spiritual water. In John 4:10, Jesus tells the Samaritan woman at the well that He is Living Water.


LET IT GO

God, You are my strength, song, and salvation!
Oh come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord!
Joy to the world, the Lord is come!

Wise Gentiles Seek Jesus

O. T. #1586  "Wise Gentiles Seek Jesus"
Dec. 16, 2019
Isaiah 11-Part 3
And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and His rest shall be glorious.  (verse 10)

LET IT GLOW

Isaiah has already prophesied that Judah would go into captivity by Babylon, due to their rebellion. However, a remnant of believers and in David's line, would return to Jerusalem. God's people would be dispersed throughout the world. Then Israel and Judah would be reunited. The cities mentioned represent those Jews gathering from the 4 corners of the earth. We know that King Cyrus allowed a remnant of Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the Temple and the city. It was the second restoration of the Jews.

In case you are interested, John MacArthur gives us a list of prophesies concerning the restoration of Israel: Deut. 30:3-5;  Jer. 30:3; Ezek. 37:21, 22; Amos 9:14, 15; Zeph. 3:19, 20; and Zech. 8:7,8.

When we gather with family at Christmas time, do we focus on Jesus or food and gifts? We have a tradition that before we do any of those things, my husband reads Luke 2 so our focus is on Jesus as Savior.

LET IT GROW

Paul was a minister and preacher to the Gentiles. His letters in the New Testament were sent to believers in the churches. In Romans 15:12, Paul speaks of Isaiah saying, There shall be a root of Jesse, and He that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; In Him shall the Gentiles trust.

Not only were Gentiles saved during the time of the New Testament, but afterwards and to our present day, the Church Age, and also those who come after us. Do we thank God for Hus grace and mercy including us in His kingdom?

We know that the Jews were gathered together when they formed a nation in 1948. These later verses can refer to the premillennial time, also.

There can be no doubt that Isaiah is predicting a coming time of salvation for the Gentiles as well as the Jews. His rest is, literally, place of rest or resting place. In either case it represents the place where God has settled down to rule. The Christian Israelites who have been converted by the gospel are then used of God to reach their yet unconverted neighboring nations. (Falwell)

Do we need a place of rest in our hurried life this Christmas season? Jesus is that place. He is our Prince of Peace.

Ensign is a banner; a sign; a standard. 

Is Jesus our banner, our sign, our standard? The banner should say that Jesus rules over all nations.
The sign of His miraculous birth should tell us Jesus is our salvation. He is our standard for living.

LET IT GO

Thank You Jesus for being my resting place, my Prince of Peace.
Help me share with outers that they, too, can have an inner peace during turbulent times.

Living in Peace and Harmony

O.T. #1585  "Living in Peace and Harmony"
Dec. 13, 2019
Isaiah 11-Part 2

LET IT GLOW

I have told you before about the old pecan tree in our back yard, but it seems to apply here. Earlier, we had one large branch fall on the well house, so it had to cut be off. Then, another year, another large branch split off the trunk and fell onto the fence. It kept producing pecans, miraculously, but we eventually had it cut off.  I noticed a small sprouting tree grew out of the partial trunk, which had its roots still intact under the ground. We knew it would not endure the strong winds, so whenever the whole trunk was cut off, it was too. That showed me how just a small shoot could continue to grow from a root. I understood the illustration that Isaiah used here.

Although Isaiah told of Judah would be like a tree cut down to a stump, a new branch would come from the root and shoot of the remnant. The Davidic line would continue on through the remnant and to Jesus Christ, the coming Messiah. He would be greater than the original tree and bear much fruit. (verse 2)
We read that the Spirit of the LORD would rest up Christ, giving Him wisdom and understanding, counsel and might, knowledge and fear of the LORD. (verse 2)

Verses 3-5 give us a closer look, description of the divine Child and Savior, which were given by the Spirit of God:

• He will have quick understanding in the fear of the LORD; He would have wisdom and sensitivity to observe people. He will delight in obeying the LORD.
• He will not judge by appearance nor make a decision based on hearsay.
• He will give justice to the poor and make fair decisions for the exploited.
• The earth will shake at the force of His word, and one breath from His mouth will destroy the wicked. (Revelation 19:15)
• He will wear righteousness like a belt and truth with faithfulness like an undergarment.

Jesus had wisdom as He dealt with the Pharisees, compassion for the needy and physically ill, taught and exemplified love for others to His disciples, was the Son of God who showed us how to live righteously.
Are we heeding His teachings? Without love, we are just a noisy cymbal.

LET IT GROW

As we now live in a day when people kill family members and police, abuse strangers and animals, I don't have to describe the awful things that go on because of evil.
Wouldn't it be a wonderful place to live where people lived in peace and harmony? It is coming! Isaiah tells some about it. Read on.

How amazing  and astounding it will be when the ravenous animals-wolf, leopard, lion, bear, will live peaceably with the defenseless lamb, kid, and child.

Verses 6-9 speak of peace and harmony between men, between animals, and between men and animals during the Millennial reign of King Jesus.

This unparalleled time of spiritual and natural peace will result from the fact that the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD. The day is coming when this divine Messiah shall rule the entire world. (Liberty Bible Commentary)

What a wonderful world it will be! Did you know that Jesus is the Lion of Judah and the Lamb of God, and our Prince of Peace? This King of kings and Lord of lords will rule in real righteousness. You know, that means evil will not exist in this 1,000 year kingdom. Woohoo!

LET IT GO

Help me live in peace with others as I stand for the truth of the Bible.
May I share the love of God with others this Christmas season.

Root and Shoot

O. T. #1584  "Root and Shoot"
Dec. 12. 2019
Isaiah 11
And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of His roots. (verse 1)

LET IT GLOW

With the Babylonian captivity of 586 BC, the Davidic dynasty appeared  to be decimate as the Assyrian army (to destroy a large part of). But we know God kept a remnant safe, which was important for the Messiah to come through.

Jesse was David's father. It was through his line the Messianic King Jesus was to come. Matthew 1:5 tells us Salmon and Rahab had a son named Boaz. Ruth 4:22 tells us that Ruth and Boaz had a son named Obed, then Obed had a son named Jesse, who was the couple's  grandson. Jesse's youngest son was named David, who was the couple's great grandson. David became king of Israel What a lineage!
This line was preserved throughout the years in order that this verse of prophesy would happen.  Do we see how God is interested in the personal details of the life of His child? He is interested in your life and my life, friend.

So being a word-nerd, I looked up these words in Strong's Exhaustive Concordance, the Hebrew words and their meanings as use in verse 1:
rod (choter, pronounced kho'-ter) means a twig;
stem (geza, geh-zah) refers to a trunk or a stump;
Branch (netser, nay'-tser) is a shoot, a descendant;
roots (sheresh, sheh'-resh) is a root (literally or figurative), bottom, deep, heel, root.

What does all of that mean?

Life remained in the stump and roots. The new shoot came in the form of a Rod and a Branch-Jesus Christ. (MacArthur)

The imagery of the prophet is that of a felled tree out of whose stump a twig would sprout and from whose roots a Branch would flourish again. This shoot is personalized as an individual ruler-the Messiah Himself! (Falwell)

The image of a stump indicates hope, for out of the stump will come a shoot or Branch, the Messiah.  Isaiah is recalling God's promise to David (2 Samuel 7:16) that his descendant would rule over his kingdom forever. (David Jeremiah)

Are we teaching our children and grandchildren about the Messiah who came to be our Savior? Are we influencing them to be a servant of the Living Savior, doing Kingdom work in their life? There is no higher calling.

LET IT GROW

With what would the coming King be endowed? According to verse 2,  it would be things the Spirit of the LORD would give:

• wisdom
• understanding
• counsel
• might
• knowledge
• fear of the LORD.

Jesus would know how to administer the affairs of His spiritual kingdom in all the branches of it, so as effectually to answer the two great intentions of it, the glory of God and the welfare of the children of men. (Matthew Henry)

It was from a tree  that the crown of thorns and a cross came for the Savior to die on for you and me, so we would not have to pay for our sins. He became the propitiation for us, taking our place. He is our Tree, Branch, Shoot and Root.

Out of the stump of that fallen tree, watered with the living waters that flow from the depths of His grace, a twig sprouts. That twig will be the scepter that defeats your sin... and lets you grow again. Gaze on shoots of glory to grow deep roots in God. (The Greatest Gift by Ann Voskamp)

It is not though our lineage or good works that get us to heaven, but faith in Jesus Christ as our Savior. Are our roots growing deeper and our shoots growing stronger faith?

LET IT GO

Jesus, be the Root and Shoot of my faith.
Holy Spirit, produce spiritual fruit in my life.
Your love never fail, never gives up, never runs out on me; and on and on it goes, as the song goes.

A Chopped Christmas Tree

O. T. #1583  "A Chopped Christmas Tree"
Dec. 11, 2019
Isaiah 10

LET IT GLOW

During my childhood, Dad went out in the cold and sometimes snowy weather, on the back 40 acres, to cut down a tree for our Christmas tree. He probably used an ax to chop it down. Then he would put it in a container of water, and I would help Mom decorate it. Back then, we only had tinsel, colored lights, and breakable ornaments for decorations.
Today, we read where an empire would be cut down like trees in a forest, with an ax. Read on, friend.

Isaiah continues to warn Israel of her coming doom. He warns Assyria not to become proud of her victories, since she is only a tool in the hands of God. One day she will be defeated.

What is the hope for the Lord's people found in this chapter? Starting with verse 20, the remnant will:

• no long depend on allies who sought to destroy them, but they would faithfully trust the LORD, the Holy One of Israel; (verse 20)
• be small in number; (verse 22)
• experience the yoke of slavery being broken and lifted from their shoulders. (verse 27)

Looking at the timeline, Israel fell captive to Assyria 136 years before Judah did. Judah was held captives for 70 years. Prophet Isaiah did not live when the remnant returned to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple and the city. It occurred some 87 years after Isaiah died. But he believed God would redeem them.

God was in charge of all this. The great empire of Assyria fell to Babylon. Nineveh, Assyria's capital, fell after 185,000 men were killed by the Babylonian army. (Is. 37:36-37)

Does God need to chop us down to size because we are so prideful? I hope not.

LET IT GROW

The Lord used the king of Assyria to accomplish his purpose. If only Israel and Judah had repented of their sins, destroyed idols, and worshiped God only, teaching the Law.

Proud Assyria is compared to a forest being cut down with an ax and burned so completely, so that a child could count and write down the number of trees left. (verse 34) (There were few trees in the area.)

What can we learn from this chapter?
We have no right to boast, for God is always in sovereign control.
We should not fear human enemies, for God has our situation in His hands.
God provides for His faithful servants.
Serve Him with humility.


LET IT GO

Worship King Jesus with humility so He doesn't have to chop me down to size.
Joyful, joyful, we adore Thee, Lord of heaven and earth.

How to Receive Joy and Mercy

O. T. #1582 "How to Receive Joy and Mercy"
Dec. 10, 2019
Isaiah 9-Part 2

LET IT GLOW

The promised Messiah, Jesus Christ, will become the Deliverer for the Jews and us Gentiles. His  coming was in a miraculous way-born of the virgin Mary, which signified that He did not have the sin nature of man, but was Mighty God Himself, our Wonderful Counselor, who gives the right advice, for He is all-knowing. Jesus is our Everlasting Father, timeless and eternal who took on a body form. His government is one of justice and peace, for He is the Prince of Peace. (verse 6)

In verse 7, we read of the hope and light this Messiah would bring to darkness:

• His government and its peace will never end.
• He will rule with fairness.
• Justice will come from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity.
• The passionate commitment of the LORD of Heaven's Armies will make this happen!

As believers in Jesus, we are looking to the second coming and millennial reign of Jesus as king on earth for 1,000 years. There will finally be peace on earth.

Do we desire joy and mercy? Verse 17 said Israel would not receive them, because they were hypocrites.
Is the way for us to receive joy and mercy from God by not being a hypocrite?
 A hypocrite is defined as a person who puts on a false appears of virtue or religion, according to Webster's Dictionary.

Are we living by virtue and showing others how to live a godly life or are we a fake? God looks upon the heart. I want to be real, a real Christian. I desire to receive joy and mercy from God. How about your, dear one? the angel told the shepherds to not be afraid, for he brought them good news of great joy-The Messiah was born.

Is He our great joy, the good news we proclaim?


LET IT GROW

In verses 8-21, we read of the civil war between Ephraim and Manasseh, who were Joseph's two sons. Then, the prophet warns that their former allies, the Syrians to the north and the Philistines to the south, would turn against Ephraim and devour Israel. However, the people did not repent of their sins and turn back to the Lord.

What happened as a result of this?
For all this His anger is not turned away, but His hand is stretched out still. (verses 12, 17, 21, 10:4)

God's anger against Israel is not nullified, but His hand of judgment is still stretched out. It was stretched out beyond what the people had already experienced. As Israel rebelled and turned away from God to worshiping idols, He was not going to let them get away with it. Thus, discipline was inevitable.
If we are a child of God, then we can't sin against Him and get away with it. Discipline is in store for us. We aren't perfect, but we are a remnant of God, so we must live in holiness as we rely upon Him.
God is merciful and forgiving when we repent. Will we bend or break? Will we bend our head and knees in repentance or will He have to break our heart in judgment?

God expects a disciplined people to seek Him and His work. (Blackaby)
Have we angered God? What do we need to do now?

LET IT GO

Glory to God in the highest; peace, goodwill toward men.
Thank You, Jesus, for being The Way to heaven, my way to eternal life!
It is my joy to say, "Your will, Your way, today!"
Use me to show Your joy and mercy to others.

Christmas Lights

O. T. #1581  "Christmas Lights"
Dec. 9, 2019
Isaiah 9
For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulders: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. (verse 6)

LET IT GLOW

Now, who doesn't enjoy driving around town or the big city looking at the Christmas lights? Houses are lit up, yards are glowing. We have several places that set up the nativity scene using lights.  Seeing them each year doesn't get old. Don't those lights seem to brighten up our life? Try looking at them without smiling-impossible, I say.

The territories of Zebulun and Naphtali represent the northern kingdom as a whole. These are also the territories where Jesus grew up and often ministered; this is why they would see "a great light."  John referred to Jesus as the "true light" (John 1:9). Jesus referred to Himself as "the light of the world" (John 8:12). Whenever we see lights at Christmas, let them remind us that they recall Christ, our True Light. (Life Application Study Bible)

Theses two tribes of Israel, located west of the Jordan River and northeast Galilee, were the first invaded by Assyrian king, (2 Kings 15:29) which marked the beginning of dark days for Israel.

God promised to send a light shining for everyone living in the shadow of death. Then and later was a difficult time for the Jews during the Roman Empire, which ruled during the birth and life of Jesus.

Is Jesus the Light of our life? Do we ask Him to remove the darkness of captivity in our life?
Are we letting our light shine before people? Do we ask Jesus to brighten up our life?

LET IT GROW

Shall we take a closer look at the second prophecy Isaiah wrote? (The first one was found in 7:14. In case you missed it, check it out.)

This special child born to a virgin is the Son of God and the Son of David, the divine-gift. He was placed in Mary by the Holy Spirit.(7:14)
The government will upon His shoulders. His authority is superior.  Jesus is our God-like King.

What are the 4 names given to this Christ child? (Notice the 2-word titles):

• Wonderful, pele' (peh'-leh), refers to a miracle; marvelous thing.
• Counsellor, in the Greek, is the same word and meaning. The two words of this title are actually an appositional genitive and may be rendered a wonderful counselor or a wonderful counselor. (Falwell)
• Counselor is often used parallel with king. He is a God-like counsel of a God-like King. (Falwell)
• Mighty God, Heb'el Gibbor, means powerful; warrior; hero.
• Everlasting Father, 'abiy'ad, literally means Father of Eternity; the Lord of eternity and Author of eternal life.
• Prince of Peace, shar-shalom, refers to happy, favor.

We know of His kingdom, throne, world rule, peaceful reign, and eternal kingdom, as well as His virgin birth. Also, we know Jesus is God Himself incarnate. What a Wonderful Savior is Jesus my Lord!
Do you need Him to work wonder in your life today? He is able and ready. Just ask Him.


Which one do you and I need in our life today? for me, I always need a Wonderful Counselor. I ask for His wisdom to make decisions about this and that.


LET IT GO

Praise Jesus for being my Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace.

What to Do During Our Wait

O. T. #1580 "What to Do During Our Wait"
Dec. 6, 2019
Isaiah 8-Part 2

LET IT GLOW

Waiting for the Lord is not an easy task. Do I hear an amen? We are there now in our ministry. In the meantime, we are resting in His promises. What are we do while we wait for the test results, wait for an illness to pass, wait for a child to return to God and the church, wait for God to make matters right in a particular situation, or wait for His will to be revealed, is important.

Wendy Pope, a writer connected with Proverbs 31, a women's ministry of encouragement, gave some good suggestions in her book, Wait and See:

• Waiting well looks forward to the future while staying present in the present.
• Ask God to show us His plan, and begin to align our heart with His heart.
• Trust that God acts on behalf of those who are willing to wait and see (Isaiah 64:4) and that He does immeasurably more than we can think or imagine (Eph. 3:20).
• As we wait, find peace in God's plans and hope in His pauses.
• Our focus moves from the object of our wait to the Person of our faith.
• The wait is more about experiencing God than enduring the delay.
• Waiting for God means activity under His command; readiness for any new command that may come, praying for His direction; involves the ability to do nothing until the command is given.
• We need to prepare in the pauses so we're ready to embrace God's plans.
• Waiting well pushes through the pause by doing what we know to do. (Continue to read Scriptures, pray, and trust God.)
• What if we view waiting as a pause or an interlude, a place we can experience the peace of God while He works in us so He can work through us?
• We have to allow God to do a work in us before He can do a work through us.
• Waiting on God is a good time to solidify your love for Him and others.
• The closer we get to God's heart, the further we get from sin.
• Waiting well demonstrates a willingness to adjust our perspective.
• God is never inactive while we wait.

Dear one, are we in a position of wait and see? Keep on keeping on with God.

LET IT GROW

Wendy gives us skills for our wait training:

• Do what we know to do until we know something else to do.
• Move when God asks.
• Nurture our relations with the Person of our faith through prayer and His Word.
• Accept help from the unexpected and defeat the uninvited.
• We have to believe the God of possibilities rather than be overwhelmed by the impossibility of our situation.
• Apply biblical truth to lies, for then the lies Satan tells us die.
• Pray. Prayer is a simple conversation with God birthed out of a humble heart to simply seek Him.
• Sing praises to God, our fortress, who shows us steadfast love.
• Waiting on God isn't wasting time; it's training time; be where we should be, dong what we should be doing. 
• Don't fret; trust; commit; be still. Read Psalm 37.
• Delight in the law (Word) of the LORD and meditate on it day and night. Psalm 1
• For armor fashion tips, read Ephesians 6: put on the belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, shoes of readiness fitted with the gospel of God's peace, helmet of salvation, sword of the Spirit.
• Counteract depression, discouragement, and doubt during the wait with the right-minded strategy of thoughts of whatever is truth, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy. Philippians 4:8
• What we are waiting on is too good to hurry!

I hope this is not overwhelming, since it is a lot of material. If you are waiting, then I recommend reading more of Wendy's book that is published by David C Cook company.

David waited 15 years to be come King of Israel; Abraham and Sarah waited 25 years for the son of promise, Issac; Moses waited 40 years for Israel to enter the Promised Land, though he did not get to enter it; Judah waited over 500 years for the promised Messiah to be born.

surely we can wait just a little longer for our prayer to be answered.

LET IT GO

Help me not rush this waiting time, but trust Your timing in my wait.
Jesus, grow my faith more, use me for Your glory.

What Frightens You?

O. T. #1579  "What Frightens You?"
Dec. 5, 2019
Isaiah 8

LET IT GLOW

Children's names-Isn't it interesting to look up the meaning of people's name? Many times when parents are looking for a name of their child, they will do this. When we named our two children, we did. Their names are derived from the same name in the Greek, which means crowned one. They were a prince and princess to us.

There are three children that are named so far in our reading.

1. The coming Messiah (Annointed One) would be name Immanuel, which means God With Us.(verse 7:14) In chapter 9, we will read of more names for Christ.
2. Then, Isaiah had two sons. The first one is named Shea-jashub, which meant A Remnant Shall Return.  (verse 7:3) His meaning referred to a remnant of Judah that would survive during the captivity. It was to be a reassurance to the king so he would not panic. God would restore a remnant of His people. God would be faithful, and we know that He was.
3. Isaiah's second son was named Maher-shalal-hash-baz, meaning speed the spoil, hurry the prey. The New American Standard Bible says it this way: Swift is the booty, speedy is the prey. His name was to symbolize the successful Assyrian conquest of Damascus and Samaria.

Aram (Syria) fell to Assyria in 732 B.C. and Israel followed in 722 B.C. Isaiah had put his message on a large scroll in a public place. God was warning His people that He was Deliverer and Judge.

Isaiah's family and the promised Immanuel provided silent symbols of God's intention to show His presence among His people by disciplining them quickly and preserving only a small remnant. (Blackaby)

There was no doubt who was going to win the battle with Israel. Assyria would reap the benefits of the conquered land quickly (5:26). (MacArthur)

Is Immanuel important to us? Do we desire God to be with us always? Are we where we should be, doing what we should do, honoring our God with our life?


LET IT GROW

What frightens you?
Fear is a powerful enemy of our faith and a strong deterrent to the believer's peace of mind. Fear of war, terrorist attacks, disease, and pollution can rob us of our trust in God. God is our shelter and refuge (4:6) Ask Him to drive inappropriate fear from your heart and to help you fear only Him.
(Life Application Study Bible)

The Lord gave Isaiah a warning to not think like everyone else in Judah and how to live (verses 11-22):

• Don't call everything a conspiracy, like they do.
• Don't live in dread of what frightens them.  
• Make the LORD of Heaven's Armies holy in your life.
• God is the one you should fear and make you tremble.
• He will keep you safe.
• Preserve the teaching of God; entrust His instructions to those who follow God.
• Don't seek guidance from the dead, asking mediums about the future, but from God.
• Look to God's instructions and teachings!

Fragments of all of the Old Testament books, except for Esther,  were discovered by a shepherd looking for a goat in 1947. He found a scroll in a jar in a cave in the side of a mountain at Quram in Israel. During the next 10 years, more scrolls were found in 11 caves across from the Dead Sea. The book of Isaiah was found complete. The manuscripts are at least 2,000 years old. It is said that some Jewish men lived there and wrote these scrolls from original pieces, hiding them from the Romans. We saw this place whenever we took a trip to Israel earlier this year.

What does this mean to us? Isaiah was faithful in preserving what God had told him to write. Our Bible is The Truth and truly preserved from God for us to be able to read today. Isn't it fascinating?

Dear friend, we cannot fear things and trust God at the same time.

LET IT GO

Trust Jesus with everything.

Hope is Here

O. T. #1578 "Hope is Here"
Dec. 4, 2019
Isaiah 7-Part 8

LET IT GLOW

We left King Ahaz refusing to ask God for a sign, but God gave it to him anyway. It was due to his pride and lack of faith in God to defeat Judah's enemies. Since God revealed His plan of the birth of a coming Savior, Ahaz should have realized that Judah was not going to be annihilated.

Did you know that God gave Isaiah three prophecies of the coming Messiah, Jesus Christ. They are found in 7:14, 9:6, and 11:1 and 10. As we come to those scriptures, we will discuss them. Writers in the New Testament quoted those, also. Matthew quotes 7:14 in Matthew 1:23.

Hope is here and now for you and me. Jesus Christ came to earth, died in the cross, and rose from the dead. He who knew no sin became the sacrifice for our sin so we came be in heaven eternally. It is through faith in Him that this happens. Do you believe in Jesus? Have you asked Jesus to forgive your sins and be your Savior? That is why we celebrate Christmas. He is our hope of life after our death.

Was Isaiah able to look down through history to the time of Christ?
Isaiah's prediction of the coming of the virgin-born Son can literally look down through history to the time of Christ, while the time-indicator of His growing to discernment within a couple of years of His birth is used to illustrate the fact that within a couple of years Judah would be rid of her nemesis. (Falwell)

 Don't you like it when a plan comes together?  That is our God. In less than two years Judah's enemies would be defeated. The symbolism in verse 16 indicates Syria and Ephraim (Israel) would loose their kings.

Folks, are we trusting in our God or are we trusting in our government?

LET IT GROW

For the rest of chapter 7, Isaiah reveals his vision in verses 17-25. The king of Assyria brought destruction upon Israel and it fell in 722 BC.
We previously studied the history of Israel and Judah back in the books of the Kings and Chronicles.

Life Application Study Bible gives us a summary of what happened to Judah, as the flies and bees were symbols of God's judgment:

• Egypt and Assyria did not at this time devastate Judah.
• Hezekiah followed Ahaz as king, and he honored God; therefore God held back His hand of judgment.
• Two more evil kings reigned before Josiah, Manasseh and Amon, of whom it was said that no other king turned so completely to the Lord (2 Kings 23:25).
• However, Judah's doom had been sealed by the extreme evil of Josiah's father, Amon.
• During Josiah's reign, Egypt marched against the Assyrians. Josiah declared war on Egypt, though God told him not to.
• After Josiah was killed (2 Chronicles 35:20-27), only weak kings reigned in Judah.
• The Egyptians carried off Josiah's son, Jehoahaz, after three months.
• The next king, Jehoiakim, was taken by Nebuchadnezzar to Babylon. Egypt and Assyria had dealt death blows to Judah.

That is a lot of history of Judah. The land "flowing with milk and honey" would soon be overrun by briers and thorns because Judah turned away from worshiping God.
Take courage, friend, for God spared a remnant that would eventually return to Jerusalem and rebuild the Temple and the religious system of the Jews as the worshiped God.
Not only is God love, but He is wrath, also. We will read about them in the next chapter.

As we look forward to celebrations of our Savior's birth, let be sure to pass in God's Word as truth and how He has kept His promises to our children and grandchildren. The Messiah was promised and came.

LET IT GO

Love God with all my heart. 
Share His love with someone today. 

Immanuel, God With Us

O. T. #1577  "Immanuel, God With Us"
Dec. 3, 2019
Isaiah 7-Part 2
Therefore the Lord Himself shall give you a sign; Behold a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. (verse 14)

LET IT GLOW

In this chapter, we read of a conversation where God is speaking through Isaiah to King Ahaz of Judah. What was Ahaz told?

• The invasion that Ahaz was afraid would happen, was told it would never take place. (verse 7)
• Within 65 years, Israel would be crushed and completely destroyed. (verse 8b) Therefore, Ahaz was not to fear Syria and Israel invading Judah.
• Unless your faith is firm, I cannot make you stand firm. (verse 9b) Would Ahaz trust God to deliver Judah or would he trust Assyria?

King Ahaz refused to ask God for a sign that Judah would not be destroyed by Syria and Israel. He was not trusting in Almighty God, but army men of another country. God gave Ahaz a confirmation, a sign, that this would happen.

• Ask the LORD your God for a sign of confirmation. (verse 10)
• When Ahaz refused, indicating that it would be testing the LORD, God gave him a sign anyway (key verse)

If Judah believed God, she would stand; if not, she too would fall. We know how that turned out-135 years after Israel was captured by Assyria, Judah was captured by Babylon.
Do we believe that God keeps His promises?
Do we trust Him to keep His Word?
God brought on all that destruction; He had the power to prevent it. If only Judah and Ahaz had trusted Him, all would have turned out differently. But it didn't.

LET IT GROW

Judah should have been reassured that they would not be completely wiped out, for the Messiah Savior, Immanuel (God With Us) was going to be born. He was coming through the line of David and Judah-a remnant would be saved.

What was the miraculous thing that would occur as a sign for Judah?

• A virgin would conceive and bear a son. A virgin was a lass; damsel; maid. This could not happen through man, but it was the Holy Spirit that made this happen.
• We believe this happened when Mary gave birth to Christ Himself many years later. (Luke 2)

Jesus Christ was of divine origin, not fathered by a man. Therefore, He was God, who took on physical form. It was through divine power and divine purity that this divine, extraordinary person, (not an ordinary man with a sin nature) Jesus, was born some 500 years later.

Jesus Christ is God come in human flesh, yet without sin (John 1:14). He is not merely a "good man" or a "great teacher"; He is the very Son of God. To deny this is to deny the Word of God
 (1 John 4:1-6).  (Wiersbe)

Joy to the world, the Lord is come! This is why we celebrate Christmas, the birth of the Savior. (Although we are not sure exactly when this occurred, for it could have been in the spring.)


LET IT GO
                              ... of all the worldly philosophies and worldly celebrations and simply thank Jesus
                                  for coming to be our Savior, enduring the hardships of being in the form of a
                                  man.
                              ... of all the disappointments, hurts, and frustrations, and simply believe in God's
                                  love.
                              ... of fear and completely trust Jesus.
Thank You, Jesus, for loving me so much that You left Your glorious home in heaven to take on the form of a lowly man, in order to be my Savior.! Such love!

Promises and Faith

O. T. #1576 "Promises and Faith "
Dec. 2,2019
Isaiah 7
If ye will not believe, surely ye shall not be established. Verse 9b

LET IT GLOW 

Prophet Isaiah is dealing with a definite crisis in Judah's history. During the previous 103 years, they had good Kings that reigned. Then King  Ahaz reigns as a bad king. What is happening in Judah?

• Assyria is growing stronger and threatening nations, so Israel and Syria join forces to protect themselves. They wanted Judah to join their alliance, but Ahaz would not. He had his own plan.  (Verse 1)
• Secretly, Ahaz bargained with Assyria to protect him (2Kings 16:1-9). Judah was frightened because Syria and Israel were about to attach them. (Verse 2)
• Ahaz did not seek the Lord in this matter, so God sent Isaiah and his son Shear-jashub, whose name means the remnant shall return, to meet Ahaz as he inspected Jerusalem's water supply. 
• The message was one of hope and confidence: Syria and Israel will be broken within 65 years.(Verse 8)
• Alliance with Assyria was unnecessary. Syria and Israel 's plan would not stand nor come to pass. (Verse 7)
• God intervened and Judah was safe, for within 65 years, Assyria conquered Israel and took them captive. 

Isaiah's prophesy came true. Assyria defeated Syria (Damascus) in 732 and Israel (Ephraim, Samaria) in 721, within the allotted time given.
[Resource: Wiersbe's Expository Outlines on the Old Testament]

God keeps His promises. We see it as He sent judgment in these nations.
What promises are you and I waiting to come to pass in our life?
Keep your faith strong in the Lord and wait patiently.

LET IT GROW 

Look at our key verse above. If Judah would believe, she can stand; if not, she too would fall. 

What does God insist on before He delivers His people from danger? Lack of faith thwarts God's promises. (The Experienceing God Study Bible)

Is our faith shakened? Is our spirit unsettled and unquietened? Has something happened to  us recently to cause this?

We were on our way home one rainy, dark night, on a familiar road, when a curve sneaked up on us. We were going too fast to make it the curve and my husband slammed on the brakes and turned the wheels sharply. "Jesus, Jesus," was all I could say frightened. I couldn't even say ,"Help." It happened so quickly. The truck kept sliding toward a gate that we thought we were going to hit. 
Miraculously, the hand of Jesus stopped our truck only inches away from the gate. We both were thanking our Protector, Jesus!

How strong is your faith? Are you daily living so close to Jesus that one word and He comes to your rescue?


The grace of faith is absolutely necessary to the quietening and composing of the mind in the midst of all the tosses of this present time. (2Chronicles 20:20) (Matthew Henry)


LET IT GO

How wonderful You are, Jesus!
Help my faith in You to keep growing.

How Long?

O. T. #1575  "How Long?"
Nov. 29, 2019
Isaiah 6-Part 6


LET IT GLOW

How long before my prayers are answered? How long before this and that happens?
How long before change comes? Isaiah ask the same question. We can go on asking, but it is in God's hands.

When Isaiah looked up, he saw the Lord; when he looked inward, he saw himself; when he looked outward, he saw the need. The prophet no longer was wrapped up in his own needs, but he wants to do the will of God; no longer burdened by sin, since he has been cleansed; no longer discouraged, for he knows that God is on the throne. Now he is ready to go to work.
God could have used an angel, who would have obeyed instantly and perfectly, but when it comes to His Word being proclaimed, God uses human lips. Only a remnant in Isaiah's day, would obey. (Wiersbe)

Why did God send Isaiah  since He knew the majority of people would not listen to His message of repentance? There would be some, a tenth of the people, called a remnant, that would return to Jerusalem, rebuild the Temple, and worship God there. God's plan for these, holy seed, faithful followers, was the ones through whom the Messiah would come (Mary and Joseph's families). We can be encouraged that God is merciful to His believers and followers. So if we are faithful to Him, we can be sure of His mercy.

LET IT GROW

God warns Isaiah about how most of the responses to his prophecy (destruction is coming) would be:

• They will hear, but not understand, so the message would mostly fall on deaf ears.
• They would see, but not perceive, not respond with believing faith.
• Their heart would be fat, so the more he preaches, the more they reject.
• Their ears would be heavy, so they would tire of the message and attempt to get rid of the messenger.
• Their eyes would be shut to the truth that Babylon would conquer them and take them into captivity.
• Most of the people in Judah would not believe the message to be true, so their cities would be desolate.

Isaiah asked how long he had to preach desolation and uninhabitation. Until all was done. They would remain 70 years in captivity, we know.

Verses 9 and 10 are quoted 6 times in the New Testament. Does God blind people and condemn them? No, it is the Word of God that has a hardening and blinding effect on sinners who will not listen and yield.
John 12 explains that those would not believe (v. 37); could not believe (v. 39; and should not believe (v. 40) because they had sealed their own doom. (Wiersbe)

Didn't it take a great deal of faith on Isaiah's part to obey and keep on preaching with tragic results?
His purpose was to be faithful in his commission until God finished His judgment on the land. (1:7-9; 2:12-22)

Will we keep on keeping on, faithful to our calling? Will we go and tell this people the good news that Jesus has provided salvation so we don't have to pay for our sins? Some will be save because of our faithfulness.

LET IT GO

Here am I, send me, Jesus.