A Fat Feast - Isaiah 25 Part 2

"And the LORD of hosts will prepare a lavish banquet

for all peoples on this mountain;

A banquet of aged wine, fat pieces with marrow,

and refined aged wine. And on this mountain

He will swallow up the covering which is over all peoples,

even the veil which is stretched over all nations.

He will swallow up death for all time,

and the Lord God will wipe tears away from all faces,

and He will remove the reproach of His people

from all the earth;

for the LORD has spoken." (vs 6-8)

Gospel truths are a feast! Because of the covenant of grace, which God planned for me long ago, I am a guest of the King of kings at His banquet table! The Lord Jesus Christ, who is the master of this feast, has "prepared a table for me in the presence of my enemies" (Ps 23).

It is a great feast. The wine is aged, rich and full. The meat is fat and filling. Matthew Henry says: "It is a feast of fat things, full of marrow. So nourishing are the comforts of the gospel to all those who feast upon them."

I have to say that I am seeing that more and more. I am so well fed as I sit under Phillip's preaching of the Word each Lord's Day. I am so satisfied every time I take up and read this beautiful Book of books. I sup with the Savior every time I boldly go before the throne of grace in prayer. I feast fatly on my God each month at the Supper He has instituted. My cup overflows as I fellowship sweetly with the saints around the things pertaining to Him. Through gospel grace I am well fed!

Not only is this a feast, but it is an unending feast. Christ has "swallowed up death for all time." Death cannot spoil this feast, it will only make it sweeter!

"Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of the sin is the law; but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. " (1 Cor 15:54-55)

The gospel feast is a fat feast; it is an unending feast; and it is a joyful feast! "And the Lord God will wipe tears away from all faces and He will remove the reproach of His people from all the earth."

In this life I find such joyous comfort in the manna from heaven. I am not saying that all is happy go lucky, not at all. In this fallen world there is much sorrow. However, in the midst of the sadness of the world there is an unshakable joy because of the presence of God and the sure knowledge of His planned providence in my steps. I feast joyfully in this life knowing that He is currently "storing my tears in His bottle" and that the day is coming when He will finally and fully wipe them away! Again I quote Henry:

"In the covenant of grace there shall be that provided which is sufficient to counterbalance all the sorrows of the present time."

Oh, how blessed we are to have been invited to the feast. It is a feast freely offered to "all peoples." It is a fat feast - come and be filled. It is an unending feast - come find eternal rest at this table. It is a joyful feast - come receive rest for your weary souls. It is a certain feast for "the Lord has spoken."

"Come, for the feast is spread,

hark to the call;

come to the Living Bread,

offered to all.

Come to His house of wine,

low on His breast recline,

all that He has is thine;

Come, sinner, come."

(Henry Burton, 1878)

Sitting in satisfaction,
Lori

My God, His Wonders & Perfect Plans - Isaiah 25:1

"O LORD, You are my God;

I will exalt You,

I will give thanks to Your name;

For You have worked wonders,

Plans formed long ago,

with perfect faithfulness." (vs1)

Over the past 2 years I have probably stopped to meditate on this verse more than any other in all of Scripture. Here it is falling before me on this LORD's Day morning. What a great way to prepare to worship my God.

Isaiah 25:1 is in a picture frame right next to my kitchen sink so that I can be reminded of its truths over and over throughout the day. This is one of those spiritual multi-vitamins that I take often. It fortifies and nourishes me again and again. Its message helps me to think on "whatever is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, of good repute, excellent, and worthy of praise" (Ph 4:8). Here is a power packed verse that enables me to "take every thought captive." It steadies me in the swirling storm. It comforts me in the times when I am afraid. It strengthens me when I am weak as water. It moves my heart to exulting praise! Here is a golden nugget that I have hidden in my heart that I might not grumble against my God.

Life is often hard. In my finite state, I rarely understand the providence of God as it is unfolding before my eyes. My vision is blurred, my view is blocked. The forest of the fall skews my ability to see the fertile valley clearly.

It seems that I'm looking at the back side of the Persian rug of life and from my perspective things don't always seem well planned out - things often look like a bunch of ugly knots! But things are not always as they seem. This verse has been an anchor for me when the winds blow hard and has helped me to catch a glimpse of the "rug" of my life from God's side - oh, and from His perspective it is beautiful!

+"O LORD, you are my God." Here is covenant comfort. Yes, God is GOD. But, because of His electing grace granted to me in Christ Jesus, He is not only God but He is MY God! "I will be your God and you will be my people." He is mine and I am His! I am in a relationship with Him because He has entered into a relationship with me. He is my God and in His sovereign mercy He set the wheels in motion from eternity past to adopt me as His own. It is all of Him, none of me, and I am humbled beyond words! May Paul speak for me:

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace, which He lavished upon us. In all wisdom and insight He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention.... In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will." (Eph 1:3-11)

"Oh, the depth of the riches both of the widsom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways! For who has known the mind of the LORD, or who became His counselor. Or who has first given to Him that it might be paid back to Him again? For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen. (Ro 11:33-36)

"O LORD, You are my God" and it is true only because of your own sovereign mercy and lovingkindness. I have brought nothing to my salvation but my sin. Even my faith is a gift of You (Eph 2:8-9)! "Amazing love how can it be!" When I am tempted, tried, and terrified here is a divine cordial. The LORD is my God!

+"I will exalt You, I will give thanks to Your name." Because He is my God I will praise Him and I will thank Him. The covenant relationship - this bond set in blood that has inseparably knit me to Him and Him to me - should move me to praise and thanksgiving.

I was by nature a child of wrath (Ep 2:3) justly deserving of His dipleasure. I was a dead child (Eph 2:1) and God went to the orphange of the dead and plucked me out, gave me new life, and called me His beloved! "Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul my life, my all!"

He is my God! I will exalt Him! I will give thanks to His name! To know God is to praise God! To know God is to thank God! To be known by God is beyond expression but must move us to praise and thanksgiving! If we are not moved we are not known! O LORD how gracious and glorious You are!!! I will exalt and thank You this day!

+"For You have worked wonders..." God is My God and He is worthy of all my praise and thanksgiving for His sovereign work of redeeming and adopting mercy to me, but He is also worthy of praise and thanksgiving because of the wisdom of His divine decrees.

He has worked wonders. He is a God of omnipotent power. Think of this:

• He has made the world and all that it contains out of nothing but the word of His mouth.
• He sent the flood and destroyed all the wicked of this world while saving and securing Noah and His seed inside an ark.
• He opened the barren wombs of Sarah, Rachel, Hannah and Elizabeth.
• He sent the plagues to Egypt and yet His own people were set apart and spared.
• He parted the Red Sea that Israel might escape Egypt on DRY ground and closed it back up that their enemies might be stopped in their sin.
• He sent manna and meat from heaven to feed His children in the wilderness.
• He slaked their thirst with water from the rock.
• He felled the walls of Jericho with only a march and a shout.
• He provided a kinsman redeemer for Ruth.
• He made a boy to defeat a giant with a stone and a sling shot.
• He conquered the prophets of Baal on Mt. Carmal by burning up a water soaked offering.
• He gave the widow a vessel of overflowing oil in the midst of a famine.
• He humbled Nebuchadnezzar with madness and then restored him at the proper time.
• He became the Word made flesh and was born of a virgin.
• He turned water into wine.
• He cast out demons.
• He fed 5,000 with 5 loaves and 2 fish - and there were leftovers!
• He gave sight to the blind, hearing to the deaf, cleansing to the leper, leaping to the lame.
• He conquered death and hell when He rose from the grave.
• He has pulled many a camel through the eye of a needle (Lk 18).
• He has saved me!

He has worked wonders. He still works wonders. He is my God and I will exalt Him and give thanks to His name!

+"...plans formed long ago..." The wonders He has worked long ago and the wonders He is working right now are part of a sovereign design. All of these wonders are planned. Things don't happen by accident, by chance or by dumb luck. Things happen by the sovereign counsel of God. "His sovereignty rules over all." (Ps 103:19). "He works all things according to the counsel of His will" (Eph 1:11).

A.W. Pink, the great Baptist pastor says of God's sovereignty:

“The sovereignty of God may be defined as the exercise of His supremacy. Being infinitely elevated above the highest creature, He is the Most High, Lord of heaven & earth. Subject to no one, influenced by none, absolutely independent; God does as He pleases, only as He pleases, always as He pleases. None can thwart Him, none can hinder Him.”

God has sovereignly ordained the steps of our lives. My ways and days are planned. I am who I am and where I am by sovereign counsel. As His child by covenant mercy, those planned steps, whatever they may be have "fallen out in pleasant places." Even the so-called frowning providences of my life (and know that there have been many in Lori's journey) have all ultimately been good for me. I would change none of them!

How can I say that? Because my sovereign God is also a good God! The wonders He has worked, the plans He has formed have been formed "with perfect faithfulness." Do you see the grand beauty of the last part of verse 1? The steps He has ordained for me are perfect for me. His actions toward me are consistent with the faithfulness of His character. This good and holy God is faithful to be good and holy in all He does.

God is faithful to His cherished children in whatever His omniscient wisdom is pleased to bring their way. He knows best what we need most. "Whate'er my God ordains is right." The path I am on was carved out by a sovereign and faithful design.

He is my God, He works wonders, He forms faithful plans. He is God and I will exalt and give thanks to His name!

My times are in Thy hand, my God I wish them there;

My life, my friends, my soul, I leave entirely to Thy care.

My times are in Thy hand, whatever they may be;

pleasing or painful, dark or bright, do what seems best to Thee.

My times are in Thy hand; why should I doubt or fear?

My Father's hand will never cause His child a needless tear.

My times are in Thy hand; Jesus the Crucified,

those hands my cruel sins have pierced are now my guard and guide."

(William F. Lloyd, 1824)

"O LORD, you are my God; I will exalt You, I will give thanks to Your name; for You have worked wonders, plans formed long ago, with perfect faithfulness."

Selah.

Lori

Unmoved In an Earthquake - Isaiah 24 part 2

"The earth is broken asunder, the earth is split through,

the earth is shaken violently.

The earth reels to and fro like a drunkard,

and it totters like a shack,

for its transgressions are heavy upon it,

and it will fall, never to rise again. (vs 19-20)

Here is another somber dose of reality regarding sin and its consequences. Here is the continuing oracle of the fading and withering effect of the fall. There is nothing good in sin. It deceives us into thinking it is good but in the end its way is death. Sin always and only destroys. It never edifies. It never makes us better. It always makes us worse. Sin should be hated at all costs.

Is there any other enemy this murderer named "sin" into my bosom and embrace him as if he were my best friend. that we embrace as readily as we do sin? If a murderer broke into my home to kill my family would I welcome him and offer him tea and toast? Yet over and over and over I welcome Foolish woman that I am - I need God's grace.

In Isaiah 14 the people have put their hope in the creation rather than in the Creator. They are idolators and this world is their idol. Idols will always fail us. This world will fail us if it is our hope. The beauty and splendor of creation should point us to the greater beauty and incomparable splendor of its Creator. He should be our great hope and our glorious treasure. Hear Matthew Henry's words on these verses:

"Those who lay up their treasure in the things of the earth place their confidence in that which will shortly be utterly broken down and disolved. Worldly men dwell in it as in a castle, an imperishible tower; but it shall be removed like a shack, so easily so suddenly, and without any loss to the Great Landlord. It shall fall and not rise again; but there shall be a new heavens and a new earth in which shall dwell nothing but righteousness."

Isaiah declares that "the earth is broken assunder." There is a present sense in which so much in this life is broken - just look around. There is a future sense in which all of this world will end broken under God's just judgment. It is sin that is the cause of it all. The weight of sin is heavy upon this world. ("For its transgression is heavy upon it, and it will fall, never to rise again.")

Sin is a burden - a heavy burden. It destroys nations, churches, families and individuals. Either we will recognize the weight of this burden as Christian did in Pilgrim's Progress, flee to the cross of Christ, and have our burden removed by the power of the gospel; or we will carry this burden throughout life, heaping more and more of its baggage upon us, and finally carrying its guilty weight throughout eternity. Oh how blinding is the burdening effect of sin that we would choose anything other than the gracious offer of Christ!

Here is an oracle of judgment yet in the midst of all this wrath there is also a glorious thread of mercy proclaimed. In verses 13-16 we are told of the remnant whose hope is in the LORD and who raise their voices in praise to Him. "They raise their voices, they shout for joy. They cry out from the west concerning the majesty of the LORD."

Oh saints, in Christ we are redeemed from the pit that our sins deserve. There is sure and certain hope in the Rock of our salvation.

"God is our refuge and strength,

a very present help in trouble.

Therefore we will not fear,

though the earth should change,

and though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea;

though its waters roar and foam,

though the mountains quake at its swelling pride."

(Ps 46:1-3)

The earth will crumble but "there is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy dwelling places of the Most High. God is in the midst of her, she will not be moved." (Ps 46:4-5)

Secure in His grace & unmoved in the earthquake,

Lori

From Fading to Flourishing - Isaiah 24

"The earth mourns and withers, the world fades and withers,

the exalted of the people of the earth fade away.

The earth is polluted by its inhabitants,

for they transgressed laws,

violated statutes,

broke the everlasting covenant.

Therefore, a curse devours the earth,

and those who live in it are held guilty." (vs 4-6)

So, obviously the passage before me this morning won't be utilized by Hallmark on a "just wanting to cheer you up" card! These are hard truths. Yet truth - hard or soft - needs to be said and heard.

Sin has made a mess of things. It has turned the garden paradise into a mourning, withering, fading place. As beautiful as the most beautiful thing in this world is, it is still affected by sin and is no where near as beautiful as it once was and will again be after Christ returns! We live post-fall.

"The earth mourns" - there is sadness and sorrow in the post-fall world. "The earth withers" - there is sickness, death, and dying in the post-fall world. "The world fades" - things don't last instead they wear out in the post-fall world. "The earth itself grows old, so those that dwell in it." (Matthew Henry)

May I say it again, sin has made a mess of things! Why is there mourning? Why do things wither and fade? Because of sin! Hear Isaiah: "for they transgressed laws, violated statutes, broke the everlasting covenant. Therefore, a curse devours the earth, and those who live in it are held guilty."

It is sin that has brought all of these things about - Adam's sin and my sin. Lori owns guilt in all of this. I transgress laws and I violate statutes. I do what God's law tells me not to do and I don't do what God's law tells me to do. I have broken the everlasting covenant and am deserving of the curses that accompany that infraction.

"The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Rom 6:23). Death is what we've earned. Eternal life is what we've been freely given by grace through faith in Christ. The wrongs of Isaiah 24 (which began in Genesis 3) have been righted by our Elder Brother, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. "You shall call His name Jesus, for He shall save His people from their sins."

Praise God for Christ! My heart leaps at the very thought of it. In this post-fall world will I ever be able to come close to comprehending the breadth and length and height and depth of the love of God?

I am guilty - Christ has taken my guilt upon Himself and in Him there is therefore now no condemnation for me! Christ - the God/man has come and lived the perfect life I could not live. He has died the horrific death I deserved to die. He has risen victorious from the grave that I might not have to fear the grave. I am deserving of death - Christ has given me life and that life is eternal! God is both just and the justifier!

The things of this sinful, fallen world are fading. Thankfully our immutable, eternal God and His promises are not.

• "In the beginning You laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands. They will perish, but You remain; they will all wear out like a garment. Like clothing You will change them and they will be discarded. But You remian the same, and Your years will never end." (Ps 102:25-27)
• "For I, the LORD, do not change." (Mal 3:6)
• "...the Father of heavenly lights, with whom there is no variableness, neither shadow of turning." (Ja 1:17)
• "The grass withers, the flower fades, but the Word of the LORD abides forever." (1 Pe 1:24-25)

This immutable God has mercifully repaired the breach in the covenant that I have broken. Those perpetual curses that are my just wages have been turned into perpetual blessings for me because of Christ's atoning work. What more is there to say?! Only, thank You Lord!

Humbled beyond words,

Lori

Withering Vanity & Everlasting Glory - Isaiah 23

“Who has planned this against Tyre?

The LORD of hosts has planned it

to defile the pride of all beauty,

to despise all the honored of the earth.” (vs 8-9)

It is prophesied here in Isaiah that Tyre will fall. Being a sea-port town everything about Tyre is wrapped up in its sea trade. Understandably, Isaiah begins his prophesy against them with “Wail, O ships of Tarshish, for Tyre is destroyed.”

Tyre will fall and it will fall at the sovereign command of the King of Kings. Tyre was a proud place and once again we see that “pride goeth before a fall.” Over and over this theme has woven its way throughout these prophesies of judgment. I should flee far from pride and beg God to make me a humble woman.

God designed this judgment and “He designed it to convince men of the vanity and uncertainty of all earthly glory, to show them what a withering thing it is even when it seems most substantial. Are men’s learning and wealth or their pomp and power their glory? Look upon the ruins of Tyre and see all this glory stained and buried in the dust.” (Matthew Henry)

There is only one certain, everlasting, unfading glory and He is “the King of Glory” (Ps 24). There is no person, place or thing of eternal glory outside of Him. Tyre fell. Babylon fell. Assyria fell. “If we looked more upon the falling of others we should not be so confident, as we commonly are, of the continuance of our own standing.” (Henry)

By His grace I will build my house upon the Rock of Glory knowing that when the rain descends, the floods come, and the winds blow then and only then may I be certain that my house will not fall (Mt 7:24-25).

Building on the Rock,

Lori

Duty, Devotion & the Nail of Nails - Isaiah 22 Part 2

“And I will drive him, like a peg in a firm place,

and he will become a throne of glory to his father’s house.

So they will hang on him all the glory of his father’s house,

offspring and issue, all the least of the vessels,

from bowl to all the jars.” (vs 23-24)

So, there are certain mornings when the passage of Scripture that comes next in your quiet time just doesn't look too thrilling. You press on and read anyway asking God to take His Word and teach you something- anything. As you read the text you think - "OK, today will simply be an act of duty." That was the case for me this morning. But duty turned to devotion in the last 3 verses and again by an act of grace my heart is stirred by the beauty of the Word and more so at the greateness of the God of the Word.

In my study through Isaiah I've been amazed at the full-orbed picture of the character of God that is revealed in its pages. I've been awed by the acurate fulfilling of the prophecies of Assyria, Egypt, and Babylon. (I've just been studying these very things in ancient history with Josh and here they are clearly spelled out in the Scriptures - centuries before they occured.) God's Word can be trusted!

Today, however, I hit this seemingly obscure passage about the deposing of Shebna the steward of the house of David and the replacement of him by Eliakim. Oh wow! (Can you hear the sadly sarcastic tone of my heart?) I should NEVER doubt the remarkable practicality of every jot and tittle of the Word of God.

I'm reading along about how Shebna's pride went before Shebna's fall - yada, yada, yada. He's ousted and humbled and Eliakim is lifted up and he serves the king and the people well. Duty, duty, duty - I'm reading out of duty.

Then the part that turned from duty to devotion:“And I will drive [Eliakim] like a peg in a firm place, and he will become a throne of glory to his father’s house. So they will hang on him all the glory of his father’s house, offspring and issue, all the least of the vessels, from bowl to all the jars” (vs 23-24).

Eliakim, the steward, will be driven like a peg in a firm place. All his father's house will have a dependance on him, just like coffee cups and pots and pans with handles have a dependence on the nails, hooks, or pegs upon which they are hung. The people could hang their hat on Eliakim. He would take care of them well. He would bear their burdens and carry the weight of their concerns. The text even points out the far reaching extent of his care. He would not only be a hook to hang the greatest on but also a peg of safety and support forthe least. He wouldn't be one to show favoritism to the mighty. He would treat the powerful and the poor equally. All would be provided for.

All I could think of was how this pictures the Lord Jesus Christ. As the greater Eliakim he has the key of the house of David. As the greater Eliakim He is a peg in a firm place. He is THE peg in THE firm place! On Him hangs all the glory of his father's house. On Him my life and all it contains hang as well. And just as Eliakim - more than Eliakim - He is no respector of persons. He will be a firm peg to whoever will rest on Him - rich or poor, black or white, male or female, young or old - there is no distinction!

There is no safer or surer hook I can hang the hat of my life on. The soul that rests on Him shall never be disappointed. No matter how great the weight I am carrying His strength is perfect and His grace is sufficient. I can rest securely in and on Him.Christ is the firmly driven peg that will carry me and bear my burdens - so I must cast my life and my cares upon Him. He bore my nails and hung for me on Calvary’s cross. Now He is my nail and on Him I am to hang everything.

He is a nail that will never rust or weaken. He is the omnipotent , eternal, unchangeable, faithful nail and I can trust Him with whatever comes my way. Is my life, all of it, lived in utter dependence upon the hook of the Lord Jesus Christ? Am I hanging my all on Him? How I need His grace to make it so!

This morning I read His Word out of duty and by the work of the Sprit of His grace that duty was gloriously transformed to devotion. I am foolish to ever doubt!

Hanging on Him,
Lori

Eating, Drinking & Ignoring the Eternal - Isaiah 22

“But you did not depend on Him who made it,

nor did you take into consideration Him who planned it long ago.

Therefore in that day the LORD GOD of hosts,

called you to weeping, to wailing,

to shaving the head, and to wearing sackcloth.

Instead there is gaiety and gladness,

killing of cattle and slaughtering of sheep,

eating of meat and drinking of wine: ‘

Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we may die.’ "(12-14)

In the first part of this section of chapter 22 Isaiah gives another somber oracle to Israel regarding the persecution that will come to them from Assyria. The trumpet of warning is sounded and the people will respond to it but not with proper motives.

The passage says that they did some fortifying to Jerusalem but it was because their houses were in it and not because God’s house was in it. It was all about them and not at all about God.

They “did not depend on Him who made it, nor did [they] take into consideration Him who planned it long ago.” Not only did they not depend on Him, it would seem that they didn't even consider Him!

God’s whole purpose in bringing this calamity upon His people was to see them come to repentance. God’s discipline of us is always for the same reason. He wants to see us restored. However, if we spurn the Fatherly rod there will be just consequences.

Jerusalem ignored the warning and not only that, they mocked the warning! “Therefore in that day the LORD GOD of hosts, called you to weeping, to wailing, to shaving the head, and to wearing sackcloth. Instead there is gaiety and gladness, killing of cattle and slaughtering of sheep, eating of meat and drinking of wine.”

They took some minimal steps to repair the breaches in the walls of their city and then they sat down to “eat and drink, for tomorrow we may die.”

Henry's words on this passage are profound. They have pierced my heart and I will share them in their entirety.

“God’s design in bringing this calamity upon them was to humble them and
bring them to repentance. In that day of trouble the Lord did thereby call
them to weeping and mourning, and all the expressions of sorrow, even to
baldness and girding with sackcloth; and this to lament their sins, to enforce
their prayers, and to dispose themselves to a reformation of their lives. To this God called them by His prophet’s explaining of His providences.

How contrary they walked to this design of God. They were as secure and cheerful as if they had had no enemy or were in no danger. When they had taken precautions for their security, they set dangers at defiance, and resolved to be merry: Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we may die.”

This was the language of the profane scoffers who mocked the messengers of the Lord and misused His prophets. They made a jest of dying. They ridiculed the doctrine of a future state on the other side of death. A practical disbelief of another life after this is at the bottom of the carnal security and brutish sensuality which are the sin, and shame, and ruin of so great a part of mankind.”

That last line has profoundly moved me this morning! I see the practical outworking of it all around me. It is around me and honestly some of it is in me. I personally need to pray for a greater understanding of the reality of eternity that my own life might be properly focused. I need to pray for God to grant that same understanding to my church family that we might be more serious about evangelism. I need to pray for God to open the eyes of the lost and dying that they would repent rather than “eat and drink.”

In His glorious grace,

Lori

Threshed People- Isaiah 21

“O my threshed people, and my afflicted of the threshing floor!

What I have heard from the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel,

I make known to you.” (vs 10)

The words of chapter 21 speak of the great calamity that will fall on Babylon at the hand of the Medes and Persians. It is said to be a "harsh vision" (vs 2). There's nothing pleasant about what Babylon is going to face. Yet, these words of calamity for the crown of Babylon are words of comfort to the captive of Israel. The prophecy of this downfall had to be an encouragement to them. Their oppressors are about to be oppresed. Vengeance is the LORD's and it is about to be served.

In verse 10 God refers to Israel as His “threshed people.” Matthew Henry poignantly says: “The church is God’s threshing floor. True believers are the corn of God’s floor. Hypocrites are but as the chaff and straw. The corn of God’s floor must expect to be threshed by afflictions and persecutions. Even then God owns it for His threshing; it is still His."

There is no safer thing to be than His and no safer place to be than in His church.

In His glorious grace,

Lori

The Naked Prophet - Isaiah 20

“At that time the LORD spoke through Isaiah the son of Amoz,

saying, ‘Go and loosen the sackcloth from your hips,

and take your shoes off your feet.’
And He did so, going naked and barefoot.” (vs 2)

I’m glad I’m not a prophet - especially not a naked one!

Isaiah, who has repeatedly declared signs to the nations now becomes a sign himself. Just as he is stripped so will they be. Egypt will be stripped and led away as captives. For three years Isaiah was to prophecy in this manner - naked!

Think of the great hardship and ridicule he must have faced – yet he obeyed. Three years naked and he obeyed!! And I complain about the “hardships” God brings in my path! Shame on me! I have it so easy and yet complain so quickly.

Humbled once again,
Lori

Warnings & the Free Offer of the Gospel- Isaiah 19

“…for they will cry to the LORD because of oppressors,

and He will send them a Savior and a Champion,

and He will deliver them.” (vs 20)

Isaiah 19 presents a message to the Egyptians and overall it is not a pretty one. “The LORD is riding on a swift cloud, and is about to come to Egypt” (vs 1). The idols will tremble and their hearts will melt. Brother will fight against brother. The water of their great river will run dry. Their princes will prove to be fools and they will become a demoralized people. Fear will fill the land and the judgment of God will be on fear's heels!

Here is a dire warning and yet in the midst of this warning there is an offer of mercy. Is that not the gospel way? “Out of the threatening clouds of the prophecy the sun breaks through and it is the Son of Righteousness” (Henry).

There is a warning and there is an opportunity for faith and repentance. “Repenting Egyptians shall find the same favor with God that was found by the repenting Ninevites” (Henry). "If they will cry out to the LORD... He will send them a Savior and a Champion and He will deliver them." The gospel is for the nations. Even the worst of idolators and the cruelest of oppressors will find grace and mercy if they will flee to Christ.

In His glorious grace,

Lori

A Comfortable Home for All Seasons - Isaiah 18

“For thus the LORD has told me,

‘I will look from My dwelling place quietly

like dazzling heat in the sunshine,

like a cloud of dew in the heat of harvest.” (vs4)

God gives His people assurance through the prophet Isaiah. At times it may appear that He is not concerned for us and that He sits way off in the heavens like the divine Watchmaker of the deists. But this is not the case!

At the proper time God will appear for the comfort of His people and for the conquering of His and their enemies. God will take care of His people! God is always taking care of His people (despite our doubts and our fuzzy vision).

Here God is said to be as the “dazzling heat in the sunshine, like a cloud of dew in the heat of harvest.” The comforts of our God are to us as the warm sun when we need heat and as the cool dew when we need refreshment. He is our comfort!

“Great men have their winter house and their summer house; but those that are at home with God have both in Him.” (Henry)

Glad to have a home,

Lori

Disregarding Idols - Isaiah 17

“In that day man will have regard for his Maker,

and his eyes will look to the Holy One of Israel.

And he will not have regard for the altars,

the works of his hands,

nor will he look to that which his fingers have made…” (vs 7-8)

Here is a picture of true repentance – turning from the idols that they have made and turning to the Holy One who has made them. “He that looks to his Maker must not look to the altars which are the work of his hands. He must not retain the least respect for that which his fingers have made, but must break it to pieces.” (Henry)

As Calvin has said, “our hearts are idol factories.” While I have not built an asherim outwardly I have many inwardly. God help me to turn from that which is worthless solely to You Who are of the greatest worth!

In His glorious grace,

Lori

Moabite Pride - Isaiah 16

“We have heard of the pride of Moab, an excessive pride….

Therefore Moab shall wail; everyone of Moab shall wail.” (vs 6-7)

In Chapter 15 we saw the crying out of Isaiah’s heart regarding the destruction of the wicked people of Moab. Certainly God does not delight in the death of the wicked. In verses 1-4 of Chapter 16 God has been telling them, through the prophet Isaiah, what they must do in order to stop this just judgment from happening. “God has made it appear that he delights not in the ruin of sinners by telling them what they may do to prevent their ruin” (Henry).

God gives them fair warning, a way out, and time to turn. They care not to listen. They will not listen. They see no need to listen for they are proud and their wisdom, they think, is wiser than that of the God of Israel. What need have they to listen to anyone?! “Pride goeth before a fall.”

They are even given a clear 3 year open opportunity to repent. Isaiah tells them in verse 14 that these things will take place in 3 years. Here a final warning is given with plenty of time to repent and turn from their wicked ways. Like Ninevah had they heeded the warning God, who is rich in mercy, would have spared them. “He would have healed them, but they won’t be healed. Perhaps there are more precious souls ruined by pride than by any other one lust whatsoever” (Henry).

They would not listen, “therefore Moab shall wail.” "The way of the sinner is hard" (Pr 13:15) and stubborn pride will always lead to sorrow.

Lord – Keep my heart from pride lest it destroy me and I fall! Give me ears of humility to listen to the words of wisdom from Your Scripture and from the “prophets” who speak it’s truths to me.

Humbly,

Lori

My Heart Cries Out For Moab - Isaiah 15

“My heart cries out for Moab….” (vs 5)

Isaiah 15 is a prophecy regarding the destruction of Moab. It would be fulfilled 3 years after Isaiah foretells it. Perhaps the quick fulfilling of this word would serve as a confirmation of the truth of his previous prophetic utterances. They needed to hear and heed God's Word - so do we!

Moab’s defeat would be a sound one. Their chief cities would be destroyed and they would flee to their dumb idols in vain. The entire country would find itself weeping and wailing, “dissolved in tears” because of the judgment that would fall. Even the soul of their mighty army would tremble.

Isaiah saw the vision and the reality of the devastation revealed in that vision made him ache and weep. “My soul cries out for Moab.”

Now keep in mind that Moab was no friend to God’s people. Isaiah surely knew this yet his heart grieved regarding what lay ahead for them. Hear Matthew Henry on this very point:

“The prophet himself has impressions made upon his spirit by the prediction of it. Though they are enemies to Israel, they are our fellow creatures. It becomes God’s ministers to be of a tender spirit, to be like their Master who wept over Jerusalem even when He gave her up for ruin.”

God takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked and we should not either!

Praying for a heart full of mercy,

Lori

Hoping For a Question- Isaiah 14

“How then will one answer the messengers of the nation?
That the LORD has founded Zion,

and the afflicted of His people will seek refuge in it.” (vs 32)

Isaiah's prophecy against Babylon and for Israel continues. Chapter 14 begins with the word “when” - "When the LORD will have compassion on Jacob, and again choose Israel..."

God’s redeeming mercy to His people was a certain thing. It was not an “if.” It was a “when!” It is still a "when."

“Surely, just as I have intended so it has happened, and just as I have planned so it will stand….For the LORD of hosts has planned, and who can frustrate it? And as for His outstretched hand, who can turn it back?” (vs 24, 27). God will do as He says. He said He would lift the yoke of bondage from His people and He did.

But what was the reason behind his lifting of this burdensom yoke? The reason was His compassion! “When the LORD will have compassion on Jacob, and again choose Israel….” (vs 1). Matthew Henry says “The ground of these coming favors to Jacob is the kindness of God.” Oh, and is not this the ground of all His favors to us?!

This chapter speaks not only of the crushing judgment that would fall upon Babylon but also of the judgment that would come to Assyria and Philistia. The enemies of God will be thrown down at the proper time. “Those that will not cease to sin God will make to cease” (Henry). We really should hate sin!

In the midst of these oracles of judgment, the compassion and faithfulness of God to His people (even in the midst of their discipline) continues to be a thread running throughout the prophecies of Isaiah. We need to remember these two attributes whenever we find ourselves in the midst of dark times. God is compassionate and God is faithful. "This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope. The LORD's lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great is Thy faithfulness!" (Lam 3:22-23)

Chapter 14 ends with an interesting parallel to 1 Peter 3:15 which says, “but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and respect.”

1 Peter is written to the scattered church of Christ. Times are hard. Persecution is strong. Yet, in the midst of suffering they are obviously to live their lives in such a way that people would ask them questions about the hope that lies within. Similarly, Isaiah 14 ends with this -“How then will one answer the messengers of the nation? That the LORD has founded Zion, and the afflicted of His people will seek refuge in it.”

The question that is asked by the nation implies “that the great things God does for His people are noticed by their neighbors. Messengers will be sent to inquire concerning them. It concerns us always to be ready to give a reason of the hope that we have in the providence of God.” (Henry).

The answer to the question is that “God is and will be a faithful friend to His church and people. God, in all the revolutions of states and kingdoms is founding Zion! He is aiming at the advancement of His church’s interests.” (Henry)

So, I suppose the question is - am I responding to the providence of God in my own life in such a way that messengers are coming seeking answers for the hope that lies within me? Or am I grumbling and complaining in such a way that no one around me would care to know Him? God, grant me the grace to provoke the former question!

In His glorious grace,

Lori

HIStory - Isaiah 13

“I have commanded My consecrated ones,

I have even called My mighty warriors,
my proudly exulting ones,

to execute My anger.” (vs 3)

This chapter may not be as outwardly devotional as many of the others, yet several things are particularly striking to me this morning. Chapter 13 is a prophecy about Babylon – a wicked and pagan nation. The Sovereign God had used Babylon in the discipline of His people. (10:23). Here, in chapter 13, we have God sovereignly directing another pagan land to bring just vengeance upon Babylon. Truly "the king's heart is like channels of water in the hand of the LORD; He turns it wherever He wishes." (Pr 21:1)

Matthew Henry says:“The persons brought together to lay Babylon waste are here called God’s sanctified ones designed for this service and set apart to it by the purpose and providence of God. It intimates that in God’s intention, though not in theirs, it was a holy war; they designed the enlargement of their own empire, but God designed the release of His people.”

Over the past few months I’ve been studying Babylon, Media, and Persia with Joshua in Ancient History. The names of Belshazzar, Darius, and Cyrus are fresh in my mind. These are real people, real places and real events. These things actually happened. “The testimony of the LORD is sure” (Ps 19:7). This particular prophecy was fulfilled approximately 200 years after it was announced and it was fulfilled exactly as God declared it would be. God's Word is glorious!

The reality that these pagan kingdoms “designed the enlargement of their own empire, but God designed the release of His people”, makes my heart leap. History is His story and “His sovereignty rules over all.”

Our current history is His story as well. He remains the King of Kings and the LORD of Lords in 2009 AD just as He was in 732 BC. His sovereignty still rules and His design is still for His glory and for the good of His people. That encompasses things internationally, nationally, statewide, locally and personally. We have a firm foundation and we have a good foundation. How I pray He will increase our faith in His rule over us and how I trust that He is once again designing the release of His people in His perfect time. I need not fear the events of history I need to rest in the God of history!

Resting this day,

Lori

Savior and Salvation - Isaiah 12

“For although Thou wast angry with me, Thine anger is turned away, and Thou dost comfort me. Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; for the LORD GOD is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation.” (1-2)

Isaiah 12 is a hymn written in response to the gospel promise of the Root of Jesse in Chapter 11. “Here is a hymn that the scattered church, being united into one body, shall as one man praise God with.” (Matthew Henry)

How beautifully this hymn portrays the work Christ as the reconciler of God’s elect. God was justly angry with us. In our natural state we were His enemies (Ro 5:10) and we were justly deserving of His wrath and displeasure. Then up sprang the tender Root of Jesse and in atoning mercy, turned God's anger from us. “For while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.” (Ro 5:10) How sweet and precious is that Root!

How great and glorious is the gospel! “For although Thou wast angry with me, Thine anger is turned away…” But that's not all read on: “…AND Thou dost comfort me.”

We, who were by nature enemies of God and under His righteous wrath and displeasure are now, through the reconciling work of Christ, objects of His comfort!! Oh how marvelous! Shall we not then “cast all our anxiety upon Him, because He care for us”? (1 Pe 5:7)

As the redeemed Christ is not only our Savior by Whom we are saved but also our salvation by Whom we are kept safe!! “Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; For the LORD GOD is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation.” (vs 2)

O Great God, you who are Jehovah Jah – the eternal and unchangeable One, help me to know you as my Savior and as my salvation. Help me to run with total abandonment into the strong tower of your salvation with all the cares of this life. Thank you for removing the enmity between us . Thank you for being my Savior and my salvation! AMEN.

In humble gratitude,

Lori

Enemies at Peace -Isaiah 11b

“And the wolf will dwell with the lamb,

and the leopard will lie down with the kid,

and the calf and the young lion and the fattling together;

and a little boy will lead them.

Also the cow and the bear will graze;

Their young will lie down together;

and the lion will eat straw like the ox.

And the nursing child will play by the hole of the cobra,

and the weaned child will put his hand on the viper’s den.

They will not hurt or destroy in all My holy mountain,

for the earth will be full

of the knowledge of the LORD

as the waters cover the sea.” (6-9)

I recognize that some of this refers to the glorious restoration of the earth at the end of the world as we know it. I can’t imagine what that will be like and long for it intensely. However, this morning I was struck by Matthew Henry's application of this passage to the remarkable change that converting grace makes in a life. He says: “Men of the most fierce and furious dispositions shall have their temper so strangely altered by the grace of Christ that they shall live in love even with the weakest and such as were formerly easy prey.”

The gospel changes people. “If any man is in Christ he is a new creation.” The mind is renewed. Sinful passions are calmed. The nature is changed. “It makes those that trampled on the meek of the earth, not only meek like them but affectionate towards them.” (Henry)

O God, you have saved me by your gospel. Please continue to sanctify me by it. Renew my mind that I may be meek and make me affectionate towards others and may Your kingdom come and Your will be done.

Waiting anxiously,
Lori

Tall Trees and The Tender Shoot - Isaiah 11

“Then a root will spring from the stem of Jesse…” (vs 1)

You know, I’ve always known that this was one of the names of Christ but it was not until this morning that it hit me just how descriptive and meaningful that title really is. Christ as the “Son of David” is described in His kingly splendor and exaltation. He is our King and He subdues us and our enemies. Christ as the “Son of Jesse” is seen much more in His amazing humility. Henry says: “Jesse lived and died in meanness and obscurity.” Christ, in His humiliation on our behalf lived and died in even greater meanness and obscurity. “He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him.” (Jn 1:10-11)

In the immediately preceding verses the army of Assyria was said to appear as tall trees and lofty forests. Christ, the “Son of Jesse” came as a “tender shoot” which was watered perfectly and fully with the dew of the Holy Spirit who rested upon Him. This tender shoot was, is and shall always be victorious over the seemingly towering forests of His church’s enemies. We need to remember that when the forest makes us fearful.

Thankful for the shelter of the Tender Shoot,

Lori

Decreed Darkness - Isaiah 10

“For a complete destruction, one that is decreed, the Lord GOD of hosts will execute in the midst of the whole land. Therefore thus says the Lord GOD of hosts, ‘O My people who dwell in Zion, do not fear the Assyrian who strikes you with the rod and lifts up his staff against you, the way Egypt did. For in a very little while My indignation against you will be spent, and My anger will be directed to their destruction.’” (10:23-25)

The Israel of God is in dark times here in chapter 10. They are being disciplined by the rod of reproof. The Assyrians are being used by God to deal with the sin of God’s people. What great comfort there is to know that even the most wicked and boastful of rulers, like Senacherib, are instruments in the hands of a sovereign God. He will use them for His own glory and for the good of His church. Senacherib and his army are being used as the rod of God’s anger to bring about repentance and reform.

Notice that this dark and frowning providence that has fallen upon Israel is “one that is decreed.” God brought it about in His omniscient wisdom. Notice also that “in a very little while” God’s indignation will be spent. Henry says:“It is determined, not only that there shall be a consumption, but it is cut out; it is particularly appointed how far it shall extend and how long it shall continue. God will bring this consumption upon a provoking people, but He will wisely and graciously set bounds to it.”

I can’t help but think of 1 Peter and the reminder that “In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” (1:6-7). Whatever struggles Christ’s church and Christ’s people are facing they are but for a little while – and they are necessary.

It is encouraging that in the midst of the dark times of Isaiah 10 that God reminds His people “do not fear the Assyrian who strikes you with the rod and lifts up his staff against you.” God knows how fearful we naturally are and He speaks to us in that fear. God is speaking comfort to His sincere people here. Stubborn sinners should fear God’s rod but His faithful sheep should not!

Thankful for the Sovereign Shepherd,

Lori

Titus, Romans and President Obama

Over the past few weeks I have received TONS of emails referring to our new president in rather disrespectful and sarcastic tones. For 8 years prior to that the same type of forwards crossed my in box in reference to President Bush. The 8 years before it was the same modus operandi only at that time the subject was President Clinton.

Years ago, I was one of the forwarders. I participated in much sarcasm regarding those in authority over me, particularly sarcasm toward those with whom I held disagreements. In the midst of that behavior I was convicted greatly by the words of Romans 13 and Titus 3. Here's what they say:

• "Let every person be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. Therefore he who resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves." Romans 13:1-2
• "Remind them to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed, to malign no one, to be un contentious, gentle, showing every consideration for all men." Titus 3:1-2

Regardless of what my political views are and regardless of whether they are right or wrong views, God's Word convicts me on this issue. Just as Isaiah realized a sobering truth about himself in Isaiah 6 so does Lori in her everyday life - I am a woman of unclean lips and live among a people of unclean lips. Too many times I have not used my tongue in ways that would glorify God regarding leaders with whom I may disagree. Too many times we all have.

Romans 13 is penned by Paul under the horrific dictatorship of Nero. Has America ever had a worse leader than Nero was to Rome? Yet, look at how Paul speaks of him. He is an authority who has been placed in that position by the sovereign hand of God. Some leaders are placed for our comfort and some for our discipline, but God's hand is in the midst of the establishing of every leader for His own divine purposes. I need to trust Him!

Now, let it be said that Paul certainly spoke out regarding various issues - as should we. He was not one to candy coat sin or to ignore it. He dealt clearly and plainly with issues that faced the people of God. However, Paul spoke out while still engaging in respect to the office and the office bearers.

We can disagree and even move for change while still being a respectful citizen. If Paul challenged the church at Rome to be respectful to Nero, then who am I to refuse to be respectful of President Bush, President Obama, or whoever will come next?

Titus 3 pierces me even more for it specifically reminds us to "show ourselves examples to those around us by our subjection and obedience to the government that is over us" (Matthew Henry). What example does my speech and do my emails portray regarding this application of the law?

We are to be subject and obedient (unless we are asked to sin - Acts 4:19-20). We are not to malign or be contentious. We are to be gentle and to show every consideration for all men. Are we doing this where our leaders are concerned? Am I doing this where our leaders are concerned?

Matthew Henry commenting on Titus says this: "If no good can be spoken, rather than speak evil unnecessarily say nothing. We must never take pleasure in speaking ill of others, nor make the worst of anything, but the best that we can. We must no go up and down as tale-bearers, carrying ill-natured stories. As this evil is too common, so it is of great malignancy. This is among the sins to be put off...."

How is our speech regarding our new president this day? Are we taking pleasure in speaking ill of him, tale bearing about him, or sharing ill-natured stories. If so, may God grant us the grace to put off this sin.

Regardless of our views, opinions, and convictions where our president's positions are concerned we are to be meek in heart, speech, and conduct. Truth should and must be spoken but there are right and wrong ways to speak. May we glorify our God in how we speak.

Finally, may I ask are we praying as much for our leaders as we are talking about them and joking about them? God's Word tells us "I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings be made on behalf of all men, for kings and for all who are in authority, in order that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity." As for me, I am covenanting with my God to pray for President Obama and all of those in authority over us.

In His glorious grace,

Lori

The "But" of the Gospel - Isaiah 9

“But there will be no more gloom for her who was in anguish.” (9:1)

After the prophecy of distress and darkness, gloom and anguish in 8:22 how awesome it is that this chapter begins with a “but.” Matthew Henry says: “In the worst of times God’s people have a ‘but’ and a ‘nevertheless’ to allay and balance their troubles.” We see that truth in 2 Cor. 4:8-9. “We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.”

“It is a matter of comfort to us when things are darkest that He Who forms the light and creates the darkness has appointed to both their bounds and set the one over against the other. (Gen 1:4).” -Henry

The light that will dawn and disperse the darkness is the LORD Jesus Christ who will “break the yoke of their burden and the staff on their shoulders” (vs 4). Once again I quote Mr. Henry: “The design of the gospel is to break the yoke of sin and Satan, to remove the burden of guilt and corruption, that we might be brought into the glorious liberty of the children of God.”

That light, that One Who will break the yoke of sin and Satan is the Child who will be born, the Son who will be given, the One on Who’s shoulders the government shall rest. “His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness from then on and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will accomplish this.” (6-7)

The LORD of hosts DID accomplish this in the coming of our blessed Christ. The Mighty God became humble man. He emptied and humiliated Himself to exalt and fill us!! I am thankful for the hope of the gospel, for the light that has shown in my darkness. In the dark times of life in this fallen world may I be reminded of the “but” of the gospel and may I be found hoping expectantly in its certain promises!

In His glorious grace,

Lori

Consulting the Law and the Prophets - Isaiah 8b

“And when they say to you, ‘Consult the mediums and the spiritists who whisper and mutter,’ should not a people consult their God? Should they consult the dead on behalf of the living? To the law and to the testimony!” (19-20)

Clearly, there is nothing new under the sun! Men still seek the answers to life from the consequences of death! How rarely do men in this fallen world seek their answers from the Living and True God, instead we turn to dumb, dead, worthless idols.

God tells us NOT to consult with mediums and spiritists. Psychics cannot help us. It is “to the law and to the testimony” that we should turn.

Matthew Henry says: “Isaiah directs them to the oracles of God. Those will never be drawn to consult wizards that know how to make good use of their Bibles. Make God’s statutes your counselors and you will be counseled aright.”

O Great law giving God, Thank You for your glorious Word. Thank You for that perfect law of the LORD which restores the soul. Thank You for Your testimony, O LORD, which makes wise the simple. Thank You for Your precepts, O LORD, which are right and rejoice the heart. Thank You for Your commandments which are pure and enlighten the eyes. Thank You that all your commandments are faithful and are forever settled in heaven. How comforting to know that all of your commandments are truth.

Holy God, Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Make me to walk diligently in your precepts. Help me to keep my way pure by keeping it according to Your Word. Do not let me wander from Your commandments. Help me to treasure Your Word in my heart that I may not sin against You.

O my God, Your testimonies are my delight and they will be my counselors. AMEN

Trembling at the Word,

Lori

The Remedy for Sinful Fear - Isaiah 8

“It is the LORD of hosts whom you should regard as holy. And He shall be your fear, and He shall be your dread. Then He shall become a sanctuary.” (13-14)

There were MANY outward things to make Israel fearful. God has promised that Assyria’s army would come upon them as a mighty flood (vs7). There is much to be afraid of. Yet, they are cautioned against sinful fear and told to set their minds and hearts on godly fear. “The believing fear of God is a special preservative against the disquieting fear of man.” (Matthew Henry)

Here is the solution for ungodly fear. Fear NOT man, nor what he can do to you. Fear God!
If we fear God then “He shall become a sanctuary” for us. “Make Him your fear and you shall find Him your hope, your help, your defense, and your mighty deliverer. He will be your sanctuary to which you may flee for safety and where you shall not need to fear any evil.” (Henry)

God, grant me the wisdom to fear You and as a result to be strong and courageous in this world! AMEN

In faithful fear,

Lori

Whom Shall I Send? - Isaiah 6b

“Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?’
Then I said, ‘Here am I. Send me!’” ”(8)

Wow! I looked at this today and had to ask, "How lightly do we often take the call to the ministry? How often do men call themselves? How rarely do churches truly examine and send men out? "

Here is the God-head discussing who to send. If God is discussing this, should not His church? “The sending forth of ministers is a work not to be done without mature deliberation.” (Henry)