Keep the Faith and Fear Not

O. T. #1659  "Keep the Faith and Fear Not"
March 31, 2020
Isaiah 48

LET IT GLOW

Sometimes it is good to step back and look at the whole picture instead of just verses or chapters as the focus in studying the Word of God. We should know by now that the purpose for Isaiah's prophecies was to bring Judah to repentance of their idolatry, as well as the warning of 70 years in captivity if they did not do so. Also, it was to encourage the Jewish remnant that they would be delivered from the Babylonian captivity. Do we recall that Isaiah wrote this book over 150 years before Babylon became the reigning empire in this region? God keeps His Word and these things came to pass as He said.

I like how Warren Wiersbe, in his book, Wiersbe's  Expository Outlines on the Old Testament summarizes the section of chapters 40-66:
These chapters are often called the "New Testament section" of the book. It has 27 chapters in it, similar to the 27 books of the NT. It begins with John the Baptist (40:3-4 with Matthew 3:1-3) and its emphasis is Christ and salvation.

He gives us 3 major ideas:

1. Fear not-The Jews wear afraid of the great Gentile nations that were moving in conquest across the world. Israel had been taken by Assyria; Judah would be captured by Babylon, and the new empire of Persia would come after them.
2. The greatness of God and the falseness of the heathen idols. God is the true and only God, and there is no other besides Him, so the Jews need not fear.
3. Cyrus, King of Persia, would be the man God would raise up to conquer Babylon and enable the Jews to return to their land. Jesus Christ would come to be Savior and Redeemer of the world. We know this happened, for history reveals that there was a Jesus of Nazareth.

Here are a couple of verses which we have already studied, for us who could use some encouragement to not fear today, as the coronavirus spreads throughout our nation, seeking to devour and kill us, as the devil does:

Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee: yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.  (41:10)

For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.
(41:13)

Isn't God's timing perfect? Aren't we so glad that we are studying the book of Isaiah during this pandemic? I sure am, for there are so many verses that can encourage us through this time. I heard that President Trump has extended our time of distancing to continue through April. so fear not, friends, we are getting through this with God's help and His righteous right hand holding onto each of us. (I will be sharing more such verses each day for as long as we need them.)

LET IT GROW

Take a look at verse 4: Because I knew that thou art obstinate, and thy neck is an iron sinew, and thy brow brass;

God is describing Judah as being obstinate, having a bronze forehead that nothing can get through, an iron neck that is stiff and cannot turn around.

Obstinate means hard, stubborn, heavy, impudent.

Are we hardheaded and stubborn like the children of Judah?
Will we not turn to God in repentance like we have an iron neck?
Is our brow like brass, in that we won't budge?
If these are not us, in which I pray we have a submissive spirit, then perhaps we have family members with those characteristics. Pray friends for each other.
Remember, God loves us and disciplines us, His children.
Keep the faith and fear not, for you are a child of the King.

LET IT GO
Father, may Your grace and mercy come upon us for we are in need of You.
Our nation needs Your healing of our sin and our bodies.
Please forgive us of our sins and be our God again, ruling over us.
Please protect Israel, Your beloved children.
Without You we will  perish.
To You be the glory forever and ever. Amen