Equality With God? - Isaiah 40 part 6

"'To whom then will you liken Me

that I should be his equal?'

says the Holy One."

(vs 25)

I considered including this posting with yesterday's but it convicted me enough that I wanted to have it stand alone. Yesterday I was shamed by the idolator's diligence in their graven image making. This morning I am ashamed by my own idolatry.

John Calvin has said that our hearts are "idol factories" and my own heart testifies that it is so. Your's does too if you'll be honest. We regularly have other "gods" before Him.

Mentally, as Christians, we assent that there is no one and no thing equal to God. But, in our heart of hearts and in the affairs of our day and in the investment of our time and resources does mental assent equal reality?

Let Matthew Henry flesh this out for us. "Verses 21-26 show the absurdity of making creatures equal with God in our affections. Proud people make themselves equal with God; covetous people make their money equal with God; & whatever we esteem or love, fear or hope in, more than God, that creature we equal with God."

I need to go toss some idols.

Licking my wounds again,

Lori

Learning From Idolators - Isaiah 40 part 5

"To whom then will you liken God?

Or what likeness will you compare with Him?

As for the idol, a craftsman casts it,

a goldsmith plates it with gold,

and a silversmith fashions chains of silver.

He who is too impoverished for such an offering

selects a tree that does not rot;

he seeks out for himself a skillful craftsman

to prepare and idol that will not totter."

(vs 18-20)

All right, it happened again. I'm reading along in this passage and my thoughts are - "How foolish idolators are." Then, out of the blue I receive a right hook to the face and am currently reeling from the blow of "How foolish Lori is." These verses are not about them, they are about me!

Here's how the punch felled me. I'm working through verses 18-19 - "To whom then will you liken God? Or what likeness will you compare with Him? As for the idol, a craftsman casts it, a goldmith plates it with gold, and a silversmith fashions chains of silver." Foolish, foolish idolators. Get real folks - it's a creation. You made it with your own hands. What help can you get from a god that you've made? Not only is it a creation but it's a fake. Look again at verse 19.It's not even real gold it's only gold plated "a goldsmith plates it with gold." It's covered lead. Idols are never what they seem to be.

Common sense thus far. What does this have to do with me? BOOM! Ouch - wait a minute - what just hit me?! Look at how much work and effort and time and money these idolators put into their vain idols. They spare no expense. Even "he who is too impoverished for such an offering selects a tree that does not rot; he seeks out for himself a skillful craftsman to prepare an idol that will not totter' (vs 20).

I am honestly knocked out this morning by these idolator's acts and by Matthew Henry's application of this passage to me. He says: "How these idolators shame us, who worship the only living and true God. They spared no cost upon their idols yet we grudge that as a waste which is spent in the service of our God!"

Lord, forgive me for my slothfulness and "ho hum" attitude where Your service in concerned. Grant me to be a cheerful giver of all my resources and a cheerful doer of all my duties. Make me to love you, Creator God, with a whole heart.

Learning,

Lori

The Greatness of God, The Minisculeness of Man - Isaiah 40 part 4

"Who has measured the waters in the hollow of His hand,

and marked off the heavens by the span,

and calculated the dust of the earth by the measure,

and weighed the mountains in a balance,

and the hills in a pair of scales?

Who has directed the Spirit of the LORD,

or as His counselor has informed Him?

With whom did He consult

and who gave Him understanding?

And who taught Him in the path of justice

and taught Him knowledge,

and informed Him of the way of understanding?

Behold, the nations are like a drop from a bucket,

and are regarded as a speck of dust on the scales....

All the nations are as nothing before Him,

they are regarded as less than nothing and meaningless."

(vs 12-17)

As I read this section this morning my thoughts immediately fly to Job chapters 38-41. In both Job and Isaiah the greatness of God is placed on one side of the scale and the miniscule nature of man is placed on the other. There is no comparison!

In Job, God answers His wounded servant out of the whirlwind and says, "Who is this that darkens My counsel by words without knowledge? Now gird up your loins like a man, and I will ask you, and you instruct Me!" Clearly, God speaks with anthropomorphic tongue in cheek. Over the next few chapters He proceeds to ask Job to delve into the infinite details of geology, botony, biology, oceanography, astronomy, meteorology, etc. By the time its over Job is only able to respond by putting his hand over his mouth. Who can outsmart omniscience?

Here in Isaiah 40 the same theme is uttered and the same reaction should occur. Verses 12-17 speak of the greatness of our God. Matthew Henry's outline of this chapter was incredibly helpful to me this morning. The quotation marks are his words.

I. "His Power is Unlimited."

• "He has a vast reach." Verse 12 speaks of Him measuring all the waters of the oceans in the hollow of His hand and marking off the heavens between his thumb and pointer finger. Of course this is figurative language, but the figure speaks clearly!

• "He has vast strength." Our omnipotent God is as easily able to move mountains and hold them in His hands as a pharmacist is able pick up some small pills and place them on a scale to measure for a prescription.

II. "His Wisdom is Unsearchable."

• "As none can do what God has done, so none can suggest anything to Him which he has not thought of." Here is the clear echo of Job to me. Who directs Him? Who counsels Him? Who informs Him? With whom does he consult? Who teaches Him? Go on ahead, put your hand over your mouth with me!

God's power and wisdom are beyond our ability to grasp and comprehend. Clearly, "the secret things belong to the LORD our God....(Dt 29:29). He is great and we are not! The greatest nations and the greatest men are as nothing compared to God. "Behold the nations are like a drop from a bucket, they are regarded as a speck of dust on the scales (vs 15).

Now, for those of us who know this God and who have some dim picture of what His word tells us about Him I've written nothing new. I recognize, as do you, that He is the Almighty God and that there is NONE that can compare to Him in any regard. But, what has particularly moved me this morning is what this vast antithesis between God and man, what this great distinction between Creator and creature have to say about the reality of our redemption.

Christians, we are NOTHING. We are a drop in the bucket. We are as a speck of dust on the scales. We are "less than nothing and meaningless" (vs 17). We are sinners who's most righteous deeds are but filthy rags to a holy God (Is 64:6). Nonetheless - He has taken notice of us and has loved us enough to send His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life (Jn 3:16)! Who is man that You are mindful of him? And yet He is mindful! Mindful enough to die for me! Mindful enough to rise for me! Mindful enough to prepare an eternal place for me! I cannot even begin to process this amazing love!

Alas! and did my Savior bleed, and did my Sovereign die!
Would He devote that sacred head for such a worm as I!

Was it for crimes that I had done He groaned upon the
tree! Amazing pity! Garce unknown! And love beyond degree!

Isaac Watts, 1707

With my hand over my mouth,

Lori

The Good and Gentle Shepherd - Isaiah 40 part 3

"Like a shepherd He will tend His flock,

In His arms He will gather the lambs,

and carry them in His bosom;

He will gently lead the nursing ewes."

(vs 11)

The picture of God as our shepherd is sketched out for us many times on the pages of the Old Testament. The LORD is my shepherd I shall not want (Ps 23:1). Hear us O Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock (Ps 80:1). As a shepherd cares for his herd...so will I look after My sheep. I will feed My flock and I will lead them to rest ...I will seek the lost, bring back the scattered, bind up the broken, and strengthen the sick (Ez 34:12, 15-16).

Throughout the New Testament we see Christ portrayed by the same terms. I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. I am the good shepherd; and I know my own and my own know me (Jn 10:11, 14). Now the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the eternal covenant, even Jesus our Lord, equip you in every good thing to do His will.... (He 13:20). For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls (1 Pe 2:25). And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory (1 Pe 5:4). For the Lamb in the center of the throne shall be their Shepherd, and shall guide them to spring of the water of life...(Rev 7:17).

Christ is the Good Shepherd. What does that look like? Well, here in Isaiah 40 four things are brought out that our Divine Shepherd will do. He will tend. He will gather. He will carry. He will lead.

Matthew Henry's words on this are sufficient for the day. He says:

"Christ is the Good Shepherd. He shall feed His flock like a shepherd. His word is food for His flock to feed on; His ordinances are fields for them to feed in; His ministers are under-shepherds.

He takes care of the lambs that are weak, and cannot help themselves and those that are with young. The good shepherd has a tender care for children, for young converts, for weak believers, and those that are of a sorrowful spirit. These are the lambs of His flock.

He will gather them in when they wander, gather them up when they fall, gather them together when they are dispersed, and gather them home to himself at last; and all this with His own arm, out of which none shall be able to pluck them (Jn 10:28). He will gently lead them."

Savior, like a shepherd, lead me this day and forever!

A needy sheep,

Lori

The Word of Our God - Isaiah 40 part 2

"All flesh is like grass, and all its loveliness is like the flower of the field. The grass withers, the flower fades,when the breath of the LORD blows upon it; surely the people are grass. The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God shall stand forever."

(vs 6-8)

Q. What rule hath God given to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy Him?

A. The Word of God, which is contained in the scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, is the only rule to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy him.

There was a time when I despised the Word of God. I didn't like what it said about me. I didn't want what it said about God. I sought to tear down its character and authority so that it would have no right to rule over me. I believed that those who trusted in it and lived according to its precepts were fools and I wanted nothing more than to plant seeds of doubt in their hearts and minds regarding its reliability. A little over 20 years ago, I was at war with the Word. In God's merciful kindness I lost that battle and now find myself in love with the Word. "O, how I lovre Your Law (Ps 119:97). "But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night" (Ps 1:2). "I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food" (Job 23:12).

So what made the change in me? With William Cowper I must say"the Spirit breathes upon the Word and brings the truth to sight." The Spirit of God opened my eyes to suddenly see the Word of God for what it is. The Scriptures are not some mere contrivance of man's thoughts, they are the very word of the Living God. Thomas Watson has said that "the two testaments are the two lips by which God has spoken to us."

This morning as I meditate on these verses from Isaiah 40, which so wonderfully proclaim the eternal nature of God's Word - particularly in contrast to the fading and failing nature of the things of this world - my mind races to a dozen other passages that testify to this Book of books beauty and splendor.

• He gave Moses the two tablets of the testimony, tablets of stone, written by the finger of God. (Ex 31:18)


• And the tablets were God's work, and the writing was God's writing engraved on the tablets. (Ex 32:16)


• Man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by everything that proceeds out of the mouth of the LORD. (Dt 8:3)


• Thy words are truth. (2 Sam 7:28)


• The word of the LORD is tested. (2 Sam 22:31)


• Thou didst give to them just ordinances and true laws, good statutes and commandments. (Ne 9:13)


• ...Thine ordinances, by which if a man observes them he shall live. (Ne 9:29)


• The words of the LORD are pure words; as silver tried in a furnace on the earth, refined seven time. (Ps 12:6)


• The law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure making wise the simple, the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. (Ps 19:7-8)


• Thou hast ordained Thy precepts, that we should keep them diligently.... How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Thy word.... Thy word I have treasured in my heart, that I might not sin against Thee.... Thy testimonies are my delight, they have become my counselors..... All Thy commandments are faithful.... Forever, O Lord, Thy word is settled in heaven.... Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light to my path.... Establish my footsteps in Thy word.....Thy word is very pure.... and Thy law is truth.... Thy testimonies are righteous forever.... and all Thy commadments are truth.... The sum of Thy word is truth, and every one of Thy righteous ordinances is everlasting. (Ps 119 select verses)


• Every word of God is tested. (Pr 30:5)


• Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God. (Mt 4:4)


• Do not think that I cam to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish, but to fulfill. For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass away from the Law, until all is accomplished. Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments, and so teaches others shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. (Mt 5:17-19)


• Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words shall not pass away. (Mt 24:35, Mk 13:31, Lk 21:33)


• Thy word is truth. (Jn 17:17)


• So, then, the Law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good. (Rom 7:12)


• All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. (2 Ti 3:16-17)


• For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. (Heb 4:12)


• But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man shall be blessed in what he does. (Jm 1:25)


• ...the living and abiding word of God. (1 Pe 1:23)


• But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God. (2 Pe 1:20-21)

What a great treasure God has given us in His word. It contains all that is necessary for life and godliness (2 Pe 1:3). May it be our treasure and may our lives be found in accord with its teachings.

Meditating day and night,
Lori

Comfort Calling - Isaiah 40

"'Comfort, O comfort My people,'

says your God.

'Speak kindly to Jerusalem;

and call out to her, that her warfare has ended,

that her iniquity has been removed,

that she has received of the LORD's hand

double for all her sins.'

A voice is calling,

'Clear the way for the LORD in the wilderness;

make smooth in the desert a highway for our God.

Let every valley be lifted up,

and every mountain and hill be made low;

and let the rough ground become a plain,

and the rugged terrain a broad valley;

then the glory of the LORD will be revealed,

and all flesh will see it together;

for the mouth of the LORD has spoken.'"

(vs 1-5)

Catherine Winkworth is my all-time favorite transcriber of hymnody. If you don't know her look her up! In the 1800's she translated a large number of German hymns into English. Among her most popular are "Now Thank We All Our God" and "Whate'er My God Ordains is Right." One of her slightly lesser known transcriptions is a hymn inspired by Isaiah 40:1-2. It's a Christmas hymn called "Comfort, Comfort Ye My People." I was moved by the words of this song and rewrote the tune a couple of years ago. The first stanza reads thus: Comfort, comfort ye my people, speak ye peace, thus saith our God; comfort those who sit in darkness, mourning 'neath their sorrow's load. Speak ye to Jerusalem of the peace that waits for them; tell her that her sins I cover, and her warfare now is over." The picture portrayed in this song is wonderful - because the Scripture which inspired it is wonderful. That scripture is the one which lies before me in my quiet time this morning.

Jerusalem has rightly received a great deal of convicting words from the mouth of her prophet over the previous 39 chapters of Isaiah. Here, Isaiah is told to proclaim to them words of comfort. As God's people we need to hear both hard and healing words. Our sins need to be called out and our Savior needs to be held forth. True conviction of sin will lead to true comfort in Christ. We cannot have the latter without the former.

Isaiah is told to "speak kindly to Jerusalem; and call out to her...." This is kind news and Isaiah is to call out loud and clear to Jerusalem and make sure she hears it. What is this good news that Jerusalem so desperately needs to hear? It is that "her warfare has ended, ...her iniquity has been removed,... she has received of the LORD's hand double for all her sins." Are there any more precious and comforting words than these?

This is the good news of the gospel. Through saving faith in Christ our warfare is ended! We are no longer enemies with God - we are reconciled to our Creator by the atoning work of His Son. But not only that, we are adopted by Him and are now His beloved children - joint heirs with Jesus. God is now our Father - and He is a good and gracious Father who will never abandon His little ones as so many of our earthly fathers do (Ps 94:14)!

The comforting words are that the war is over, our sins are forgiven, and we have received of the LORD's hand double for all our sins! In Christ we have received the Pearl of great price. NOTHING can compare to the riches that are ours in Him.

Verses 3-5 go on to prophecy of the coming Messiah who will tangibly apply all these comforting words to His people. The "calling voice" is applied to John the Baptist in Matthew and Luke. John the Baptist preaches faith and repentence to all who come within the sound of his voice. How fitting, for it is faith and repentence that make these comforting promises effectual to our lives. His message commands us to prepare our hearts and lives to receive gospel grace.

Matthew Henry's comments on verses 3-5 were particularly beautiful to me today. He says:

"God is coming in a way of mercy and we must prepare for Him.... Prepare you the way of the Lord; and let all be suppressed which would be an obstruction to His entrance. Make room for Christ: make straight a highway for Him.

"Those that are hindered from comfort in Christ by their dejections and despondencies are the valleys that must be exalted. Those that are hindered from comfort in Christ by a proud conceit are the mountains and hills that must be made low. Those that have entertained prejudices against the word and ways of God...are the crooked that must be made straight.

"When this is done the glory of the Lord shall be revealed..... When John the Baptist has for some time preached repentance and so made ready a people prepared for the Lord (Lk 1:17), then the Messiah Himself shall be revealed in His glory, working miracles, and by His grace binding up and healing with consolations those whom John had wounded with convictions."

These are truly great and glorious words. They are spoken kindly to us from our God by the mouth of His prophet, Isaiah. We need to hear them and we need to walk and live in the light of them. May He make smooth highways, high valleys, and low mountains of the wilderness that lies within our hearts.

Comfort, comfort ye my people; speak ye peace, thus saith our God; comfort those who sit in darkness, mourning 'neath their sorrow's load. Speak ye to Jerusalem of the peace that waits for them; tell her that her sins I cover, and her warfare now is over.

Yea, her sins our God will pardon, blotting out each dark misdeed; all that well deserved His anger, He will no more see or heed. She hath suffered many a day, now her griefs have passed away; God will change her pining sadness into everspringing gladness.

For the herald's voice is crying in the desert far and near, bidding all men to repentence, since the kingdom now is here. O that warning cry obey! Now prepare for God a way; let the valleys rise to meet Him, and the hills bow down to greet Him.

Make ye straight what long was crooked, make the rougher places plain; let your hearts be true and humble, as befits His holy reign. For the glory of the Lord now o'er earth is shed abroad; and all flesh shall see the token, that His word is never broken.

Johannes Olearius, 1671 / Tr. by Catherine Winkworth, 1863

Comforted this day,

Lori

Boasting to Babylon - Isaiah 39

"There was nothing in his house,

nor in all his dominion,

that Hezekiah didn't show them."

(vs 2)

After Hezekiah's recovery, Merodachbaladan (find that in the baby name book), the king of Babylon, sent messengers and presents to celebrate the King of Judah's good health. It is good that we rejoice with those who rejoice and mourn with those who mourn. However, we should be certain that we are doing it out of God honoring motives and not out of selfish desires. "The king of Babylon made his court to Hezekiah, not because he was pious but because he was prosperous" (Matthew Henry). How often do we behave in a similar fashion, reaching out to those who we think might be a help to us sometime in the future? We far too regularly give that we might get!

Upon their arrival Hezekiah takes them on a tour of his entire kingdom, palace and treasury. He holds back nothing. He shows off the family jewels, the fruit of his farms, the weapons of mass destruction, "there was nothing in his house, nor in all his dominion that Hezekiah did not show them."

It would seem that the boasting bug bit good king Hezekiah and spred like kudzu. Perhaps he liked the tickling on his ears that Babylon's envoy's "ooohs" and "aaaahs" produced. Perhaps he liked the feeling that welled up in his heart as he saw their jaws drop at the many splendors that his kingdom contained. Perhaps the pats on the back that they offered stroked his ego in a self-gratifying way. We like to receive praise from others and that self-exalting tendency always gets us in trouble. "Pride goeth before a fall!"

God, as a loving Father, doesn't leave his children in their pride - thankfully! "If God loves us, he will humble us!" He doesn't leave us in our sin but makes us miserable in it that we might once again turn to the only true and lasting source of happiness, peace and joy - Himself!

The material things that Hezekiah paraded before the ambassadors of Babylon will rust and fade and wither. Thieves will break in and steal "and all that your fathers have laid up in store to this day shall be carried to Babylon; none shall be left,' says the LORD" (vs 6).

"If Hezekiah had known that the successors of this king of Babylon would hereafter be the ruin of his family and kingdom, he would not have complimented his ambassadors as he did; and, when the prophet told him that it would be so, we may well imagine how he was vexed at himself for what he had done. Those that are fond of an alliance with irreligious men will have enough of it, and will have cause to repent of it."

Hezekiah reveled in the visiting dignitaries from Babylon. Little did he know in the midst of his boasting that his tour would plant the seeds of jealousy in Babylon's sons. The ones he now excitedly courted would soon conquer his own heirs.

Our sins, even those we think so little of (like a proud boasting in the things of this world) will effect our little ones. No sin is ever committed in a vacuum. Sin begets sin - in us and in our covenant seed! May we be wise and may our boasting be in the LORD who is the giver of all good gifts rather than in the gifts that He has given.

Praying for my treasures to be in heaven,

Lori

A Dying Prayer a Living Answer- Isaiah 38

"In those days Hezekiah became mortally ill." (vs 1)

The LORD had delivered Hezekiah from a mighty enemy. Now another trial falls upon his plate. This time it is a severe sickness and the real possibility of death. We should not be surprised at what befalls us in this world. "Neither men's greatness nor their goodness will exempt them from the arrest of sickness and death." (Matthew Henry)


When faced with Sennacharib and the taunts of Rabshekah, Hezekiah fled to the LORD his God. What will he do when faced with this daunting physical trial? "Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall, and prayed to the LORD" (vs 2). Hezekiah responds in the exact same way. Oh Christian, our afflictions should cause us to fall to our knees.


Interestingly, it is not recorded that Hezekiah specifically prays for healing from his infirmity. He has been told he will die by Isaiah and instead of grumbling and complaining about the course laid out for him, he simply submits, turns to his God and asks that God would remember His covenant promises to him. "Remember now, O LORD, I beseech You, how I have walked before You in truth and with a whole heart..."

Even though there is great assurance and awesome comfort in the eternal promises of God, Hezekiah does find himself weeping bitterly at the forboding possibility of his death. Don't we all find that strange tension - longing for heaven, fearing dying? Death, though common to all, is not a natural thing. Have you ever thought about that? Death did not occur until sin occurred. It is a result of the fall and therefore it is a grievous and distressing thing. We too should weep bitterly at death, yet we should not grieve as those without hope (1 Thes 4:13) because of the work of Christ on His people's behalf.



God in absolute abundant mercy is pleased to heal good king Hezekiah. God is not through with him in this life and therefore He spares him from death at this time. How does Hezekiah respond to this smiling twist of providence? Prayer! Hezekiah prays when he faces danger. He prays when the danger is diverted. He prays when he faces death. He prays when he is given life instead. Oh that we would be as quick to pray as this young king was!



His prayer if full and beautiful and several things particualrly jump out to me this morning.

• Hezekiah realizes that this life is but a vapor and that this place is but a sojourning spot. It is the life we currently live and the place we momentarily lay our heads, but it is "like a shepherd's tent" (vs 12). We are not home. We are aliens and strangers passing through this land on our way to the heavenly Jerusalem. Therefore,"may it be more our care how we shall get safely to another world than how long we are likely to live in this world." May we be Godward and Heavenward in how we live our days, seeking first His kingdom and His righteousness knowing that then all other things needful will be added unto us. (Mt 6:33)

• Our times are in God's hands. "HE cuts me off from the loom; from day until night You do make an end of me" (vs 12). Our ways and our days are appointed by our sovereign God and we should find comfort in that place no matter what we face! And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment (He 9:27). The mind of a man plans his ways but the LORD ordains his steps (Pr 16:9). My times are in Your hands (Ps 31:15). Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? (Mt 6:27) "My times are in thy hand; why should I doubt or fear? My Father's hand will never cause his child a needless tear." (William Lloyd)

• God, through Christ's proptiatory act, has saved the Christian from the just wages of sin. "It is Thou who hast kept my soul from the pit of destruction. For Thou hast cast all my sins behind Thy back. (vs 17)." We should be moved to thanksgiving at even the passing thought of this. In Christ, God has scattered our sins as far as the east is from the west (Ps 103:12) and He will not hold them against us. "Amazing love! How can it be that Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?"

• If life is but a vapor, if God has given us this vapor in which to live, if Christ has saved us from our sin then we ought to live this vapor for Him. "What is man's chief end? Man's chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever" (WSC Q1). I am not my own, I was bought at a price (1 Co 7:23) and therefore I should live for my good and gracious Master. "Thanksgiving is good, but thanksliving is better." (Matthew Henry)

• We ought to teach these things to our children. "A father tells his sons about Thy faithfulness (vs 19). "We should not only praise Him all the days of our life, but the father to the children should make known His truth that the ages to come may give God the glory of His truth by trusting in Him" (Henry). These are the things which are most important in this life. These are the things of eternal significance. They give eternal meaning to this passing vapor. We should be diligent about both telling and living the truths of the gospel before our little ones. And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all youru might. And these words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart; and you shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up (Dt 6:6-7). What lessons are Joshua and Elizabeth learning from my words and my actions?

God spared Hezekiah from this sickness and Hezekiah was given many more years to serve as king. He served His God all those days in "thanksliving". Hezekiah did not die from this particular malady, but he did die. So will I and every living creature. What will my response to its threatening hand be? Fear or prayer? Am I trusting my life to the hands of my faithful God and do my personal prayers reflect that as Hezekiah's did?

In His glorious grace,

Lori

So Long Sennacharib - Isaiah 37 part 2

"...Thus says the LORD the God of Israel,

'Because you have prayed to Me about

Sennacharib king of Assyria, this is the word

that the LORD has spoken against him....'"

(vs 21)

"Those who receive messages of terror from men with patience, and send messages of faith to God by prayer, may expect messages from God for their comfort" (Matthew Henry). What a fitting word to begin this section of Isaiah 37.

Hezekiah's fear drove him to prayer and his God both heard and answered. That answer is recorded in verses 21-35. Several particulars struck me this morning.

• Sennacharib's rantings towards Judah were a blasphemous reproach to the living God. "Whom have you reproached and blasphemed? And against whom have you raised your voice, and haughtily lifted up your eyes? Against the Holy One of Israel." When men rail against the people of God they are reproaching the God of His people. Beloved, we are the apple of His eye and He takes the attacks against His bride personally!

• Sennacharib boasted in his achievements and credited them to his own power and wisdom. "And you have said, 'With my many chariots I came up to the heights of the moutains...I cut down its tall cedars...I will go to its highest peak...I dug wells and drank waters...I dried up all the rivers of Egypt." I, I, I - me, me, me. How silly are we to think that we've done anything in and of ourselves. "The most active of men are no more than God makes them." No one can accomplish anything apart from Him.

• God is the sovereign King of all kings. Let those who boast, boast in Him. "Have you not heard? Long ago I did it, from ancient times I planned it. Now I have brought it to pass, that you should turn fortified cities into ruinous heaps." Thomas Watson rightly said, "Whoever brings an affliction, it is God who sends it." (Amos 3:6.) Sennacharib had been sovereignly used as the rod of God to discipline his wayward people and to judge the pagan nations. Let us remember in the times we are currently facing that God has His divine purposes for the good of His chosen people. He may be pleased to raise up a modern Sennacharib or to take us through a Babylonian captivity in order to drive us back to our first love. History is His story and He remains in complete control of all the affairs of men and nations.

• God is never tricked or deceived by us. "But I know your sitting down, and your going out and your coming in, and your raging against Me." Sennacharib may have denied the existence of Israel's God and may have spent much time and many resources in his attempts to dethrone the King of kings, but none of this caught God by surprise. No, in every striking at the character of the Divine that Sennacharib did God Himself was holding him up and giving him the very breath that allowed him to breathe out those blasphemous words. Not only that, but God was working His own good purpose through Sennacharib's wicked actions. What an amazingly wise, powerful and soveriegn God we have to make straight these incredibly crooked paths.

• God doesn't let sinners off the hook but will deal justly with the unrepentant when the time is right. "Therefore I will put My hook in your nose, and my bridle in your lips, and I will turn you back by the way you came." Here is the day of recompense for the cause of Zion. Sennacharib is dealt with. Justice is served. Vengeance belongs to God.

God was providentially working in the actions of Sennacharib. He was using it for the good of His people and for the judgment of the wicked. "God had signed Sennacharib's commission against Judah (10:6) and now He supersedes it" (Henry). "Then the angel of the LORD went out, and stuck 185,000 in the camp of the Assyrians; and when men arose early in the morning, behold all of these were dead" (vs 36). One angel, in one night, with one blow took out the entire army of Assyria. How powerful is our God if this is the power His angels have?

"So Sennacharib, king of Assyria, departed and returned home, and lived at Nineveh. And it came about as he was worshipping in the house of Nisroch his god, that Adramelech and Sharezer his sons killed him with the sword; and they escaped into the land of Ararat. And Esarhaddon his son became king in his place" (vs 37-38)

"The great king of Assyira looks very little when he is forced to return with terror and fear, lest the angel that had destroyed his army should destroy him: yet he is made to look less when his own sons, who should have guarded him, sacrificed him to his idol, whose protection he sought." (Matthew Henry)

God has done as He said He would do - and He still does!

Trusting in the promises of the King of kings,

Lori

Driven to Prayer - Isaiah 37

"And when King Hezekiah heard it,

he tore his clothes,

covered himself with sackcloth

and entered the house of the LORD."

(vs 1)

What do we do when we are gripped by fear? Where do we flee when someone or something scares us to death? What is our first response to terror?

Hezekiah gives us a grand example of the behavior that should flow from us. "The best way to baffle the malicious designs of our enemies against us is to be driven by them to God and to our duty." (Matthew Henry)

Rabshakeh had been sent by Sennacharib to frighten Hezekiah and his people from the LORD. Instead they are, by grace, frightened to Him. We should be as well! "The wind instead of forcing the traveler's coat from him, makes him wrap it the closer about him." (Henry)

We learn much about the character of a person by his or her reaction to the storms of life. In the past two years I've watched friends walk through some very deep waters. Some have wrapped the coat of Christ much more closely to themselves, others have tossed it to the wind. The former are finding joy and hope and comfort in the midst of the distresses of providence. The latter are seeing that the way of the transgressor is hard, yet they continue to harden themselves even more. By their choice biterness, anger, and misery are following them rather than goodness and mercy and it grieves my heart.

Hezekiah is a living sermon to us that we must flee to Christ. He alone is our certain source of safety. Judah's king sends his servant to Isaiah - who had prophesied much about these events. Where better to flee than to the source of God's voice. In the day of trouble let us run to the Word and to prayer.

Hezekiah's message to Isaiah: "This day is a day of distress, rebuke, and rejection; for children have come to birth, and there is no strength to deliver. Perhaps the LORD yourGod will hear the words of Rabshaken, whom his master the king of Assyria has sent to reproach the living God, and will rebuke the words which the LORD your God has heard. Therefore, offer a prayer for the remnant that is left." (vs3-4)

What they are facing was foretold. It is the rod of reproof that has come from their loving Father. They are weak and have no strength to bear the burden that their sins are about to give birth to. So, they cry out for mercy. "Prayer is the midwife of mercy, that helps to bring it forth" (Henry). What midwife am I relying on and what will that midwife aid me in producing?

Hezekiah recognizes in his words to Isaiah that Rabshakeh's words are a reproach to the living God and Isaiah's response confirms that fact. "And Isaiah said to them, 'Thus you shall say to your master, "Thus says the LORD, 'Do not be afraid because of the words that you have heard, with which the servants of the king of Assyria have blasphemed Me.'"'" (vs 6)

Assyria's words have been blasphemous words. It is not repentant Judah who should fear, it is Sennacharib and his unrepentant minions! The day of recompense is upon Assyria. "Behold, I will put a spirit in him so that he shall hear a rumor and return to his own land. and I will make him fall by the sword in his own land" (vs 7). On reading this verse my thoughts immediately went to the Proverbs - "The wicked flee when no one is pursuing." It was a rumor that sent Sennacharib back to his own land and it was in the place of his supposed safety that he would fall.

Two questions weigh on my heart from these 7 verses. What is my reaction to fearful circumstances - faith or flight? Where do I turn for comfort and safety - prayer or people?

Faithful Father, help my fears to drive me to faith and may the day of trouble be to me a day of prayer.

In His glorious grace,

Lori

Taunts, Temptations and a Quiet Tongue - Isaiah 36

"Now it came about in the fourteenth year of

King Hezekiah, Sennacherib king of Assyria

came up against all the fortified cities of Judah

and seized them.

And the king of Assyria sent Rabshakeh...

to Jerusalem to King Hezekiah with a large army...

Then Rabshakeh said to them, 'Say now to Hezekiah,

Thus says the great king, the king of Assyria,

'What is this confidence that you have?'

'I say, your counsel and strength for the war

are only empty words. Now on whom do you rely,

that you have rebelled against me?...

'Do not let Hezekiah decieve you,

for he will not be able to deliver you;

nor let Hezekiah make you trust in the LORD,

saying, 'The LORD will surely deliver us...'

'Do not listen to Hezekiah,

for thus says the king of Assyria,

'Make your peace with me

and come out to me,

and eat each of his vine and each of his fig tree

and drink each of the waters of his own cistern,

until I come and take you away

to a land like your own,

a land of grain and new wine,

a land of bread and vineyards.'

'Beware lest Hezekiah misleads you, saying,

'The LORD will deliver us.'

'Has any of the gods of the nations delivered

his land from the hand of the king of Assyria?...'

But they were silent

and answered him not a word;

for the king's commandment was,

'Do not answer him.'"

(chapter 36 select verses)

Here it comes. Sennacharib is crouching at their door. He is as proud, arrogant, and boastful as a man can be and his plan is to scare them out of their skin! He sends Rabshakeh as his messenger to taunt and terrify them, to make them fear the mighty power of Sennacharib and to doubt the almighty power of their God.

Rabshakeh scoffs at Hezekiah as though he were a bumbling idiot. He refers to their good king's confidence and counsel as merely "empty words." He laughs at the hope they had placed in Egypt the now "crushed reed." He scoffs at their trust in the LORD. Is not this Satan's greatest ploy against the children of God? If he can drive us to doubt our God then he can do with us as he pleases. Our hope and security and protection are in Him and if our confidence in His divine promises and protection fail then we are greatly to be pitied!

Notice the sneaky trick of temptation that Sennacharib has Rabshakeh hold forth and learn from it, for this same temptation is dangled before us daily. "Do not listen to Hezekiah...make your peace with me and come out to me, and eat each of his vine and each of his fig tree and drink each of the waters of his own cistern, until I come and take you away to a land like your own land, a land of grain and new wine, a land of bread and vineyards" (vs 16-17).

"When Satan would tempt men from trusting in God, he does so by insinuating that in yielding to him they may better their condition. When the world and the flesh say to us, 'make an agreement with us, submit to our dominion and come into our interests, and you shall eat every one of his own vine,' they do but deceive us, promising liberty when they would lead us into the basest captivity and slavery." (Matthew Henry)

O people of God - the one we must not listen to is Satan and his minions even when they are disguised as our best friends! The Serpent fooled Adam and Eve in the garden by his promise of bettering their condition and look what happened? We are all worse off for the choice they made!

"Beware lest Hezekiah misleads you, saying, 'The LORD will deliver us.' Has any one of the gods of the nations delivered his land from the hand of the king of Assyria? Where are the gods of Hamath and Arpad? Where are the gods of Sepharvaim? (vs 18-19).

Here again is the attempt to sew the seeds of doubt where our God is concerned. This time he tosses the God of Israel in the pot with all the gods of all the nations. "Nothing can be more absurd in itself, nor a greater affront to the true and living God, than to compare Him with the gods of the heathen. They are nothing, He is the great I AM. They are the creature's of men's fancy and the works of men's hands; He is the Creator of all things!" (Henry). There is no comparison!

How do they respond to these temptational musings? "But they were silent and answered him not a word; for the king's commandment was, 'Do not answer him.'" Clearly there are times to speak and clearly there are times to be silent. Hezekiah's command to his people was "do not answer a fool according to his folly" (Pr 26:4). God had already promised, through the prophet Isaiah, that he would deal with Sennacharib. "For the LORD has a day of vengeance, a year of recompense for the cause of Zion" (34:8). Now was the time to trust themselves to His care. He would be both His and their avenger. May we trust ourselves to His care and His recompense as well.

I pray that our God would grant each of us the strength to flee from temptation. We need to see the promises of sin for what they truly are and for what they truly do. Its pleasant promises are false and they will deceive us to an eternal misery.

May God increase our faith and our trust in Him during those times when His enemies seek to tear Him down in our estimations. May He enable us to remain silent in those moments when no words are the best words.

Praying for a firm faith and a quiet tongue,

Lori

The Highway of Holiness - Isaiah 35 Part 2

"And a highway will be there, a roadway,

and it will be called the Highway of Holiness.

The unclean will not travel on it,

but it will be for him who walks that way,

and fools will not wander on it.

No lion will be there,

nor will any vicious beast go up on it;

these will not be found there.

But the redeemed will walk there,

and the ransomed of the LORD will return,

and come with joyful shouting to Zion,

with everlasting joy upon their heads.

They will find gladness and joy,

and sorrow and sighing will flee away.

(vs 8-10)

Matthew Henry's comments on this section were full and encouraging to my soul this morning. I will share his wise words rather than my roaming ramblings.

"The way of religion and godliness is here called "the way of holiness." When our God shall come to save us He shall chalk out to us this way by His gospel, so as it had never been before described. It shall be an appointed way; a highway. It is the King's highway, the King of king's highway, in which though we may be waylaid, we cannot be stopped.

The way of holiness is the way of God's commandments; it is the good old way (Jer 6:16). The unclean shall not pass over it, either to defile it or to disturb those that walk in it. It shall be for those whom the Lord has set apart for Himself (Ps 4:3). It shall be reserved for them: the redeemed shall walk there out of the reach of molestation from an evil world.

The wayfaring men, who choose to travel in it, though fools, of weak capacity in other things, shall have such plain directions from the word and Spirit of God in this way that they shall not err therein; they shall get well to their journey's end. The Spirit of truth shall lead them into all truth that is necessary for them. The way to heaven is a plain way, and easy to hit.

It shall be a safe way: no lion shall be there, nor any ravenous beast, none to hurt or destroy. Those that keep close to this way keep out of the reach of Satan the roaring lion. Those that walk in the way of holiness may proceed with serenity of mind, knowing that nothing can do them any real hurt.

Those that walk in the way of holiness must separate themselves from the unclean and save themselves from an untoward generation. Let them walk with the redeemed who shall walk there.

The end of this way shall be everlasting joy. Here is good news for citizens of Zion. The ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion. God will open to them a door of escape out of their captivity. They shall join themselves to the gospel church, that Mount Zion that city of the living God (Heb 12:22). Those that by faith are made citizens of the gospel Zion may go on their way rejoicing (Ac 8:39). They rejoice in Christ Jesus, and they that mourn are blessed, for they shall be comforted.

When God's people returned out of Babylon to Zion they came weeping (Jer 1:4); but they shall come to heaven singing a new song (Rev 14:3). Their joy shall be visible, and no longer a secret thing, as it is here in this world; it shall be proclaimed, to the glory of God. Our joyful hopes and prospects of eternal life should swallow up both all the sorrows and all the joys of this present time."

Selah,
Lori

Encouraging the Exhausted - Isaiah 35

"Encourage the exhausted and

strengthen the feeble.

Say to those with anxious heart,

'Take courage fear not.

Behold your God will come with vengeance;

the recompense of God will come,

but He will save you."

(vs 3-4)

Many in Israel had to be terrified during this time. God had declared frightening prophecies of judgment. Assyria would come and serve as the rod of God to discipline them. How would you feel - even if you were among the remnant that had not bowed the knee to Baal? Personally, I'd probably be scared to death!

In this passage we see that God takes notice of our frailties by the very fact that he is rousing those who by grace are standing strong to help others do the same.

"God's prophets and ministers are charged to comfort those who could not yet recover from the fright they had been put into by the Assyrian army with an assurance that God would now return in mercy to them. This is the design of the gospel - to strengthen those that are weak and to confirm them. Among true Christians there are many who have weak hands and feeble knees and it is our duty not only to bear with the weak but to do what we can to confirm them." (Matthew Henry)

The New Testament bears the same testimony and call. "Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength...." (Rom 15:1). "And we urge you brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with all men" (1 Th 5:14).

God knows our frame. He knows our weaknesses. He knows that we are but dust. He cares, He strengthens us and he often uses the body of Christ - His church - as the arms that lift us up and carry us through the storms of life.

God was about to deal with Israel in Fatherly discipline. After that He would recompense the nations who would be His rod. There had to be much fear in the camp. Yet they needed to "take courage and fear not. Behold, your God will come with vengeance; the recompense of God will come, but He will save you."

The same is true today. Take courage my friends, God will right all wrongs. In the meantime may we be about the business of encouraging the exhausted among us.

In His glorious grace,

Lori

Recompense for Zion's Cause - Isaiah 34

"For the LORD has a day of vegeance,

a year of recompense for the cause of Zion."

(vs 8)

There are times in life when the wicked just seem to get away with their wickedness! Over a decade ago I faced such a time when the schemes of evil ones sought to ruin me and actually did prevail momentarily where my college education was concerned. Throughout history we see the times when Christian's were fed to the lions in Rome and when the Scottish Covenanters were mercilessly martyred by those who should have been their brothers in the faith. Throughout our world even today Christians are being hunted down like wild animals in Pakistan and other places. Atheism, Islam, Paganism, etc. all seek to tear down the church and dethrone our God. Is God watching? Will He act? Will He right the wrongs?

Verses 8-17 of Isaiah 34 remind us that God is not asleep and He will act for His people at just the perfect moment. The problem for us is that we often don't trust that His moment is the right moment. We too often look at the persecution we are facing as though it were solely about us rather than about God's glory and gospel. How many multitudes came to faith in Christ during the times of ancient history because of the testimony of the martyrs in their martyrdom? How many in Pakistan and China are asking to know of the hope that lies within our brothers and sisters who are willingly dying for the cause of Christ? How often do we stop and realize that our very own "persecutions" are a blessed opportunity to be salt and light for our Savior? Life, the good times and the hard times, is not about us - it is about God. The sooner we come to grips with that, the sooner we will be able to wait patiently on His timing of recompense.

"For the LORD has a day of vengeance, a year of recompense for the cause of Zion." God has His day set. It is ordered. It is decreed. It will happen exactly when it is to happen. Do we trust Him?

God has promised that He will deal with wicked men. We must remember that "the Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient towards you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance" (2 Pe 3:9). God's "seeming" slowness is in reality an expression of His patience while the elect are being gathered in. If I am impatient then my eyes are selfishly on my circumstances rather than on the gospel opportunities that lie amid my circumstances. Matthew Henry reminds us this morning that "as there is a day of the LORD's patience, so there will be a day of His vengeance. For though He bear long, He will not bear always." God's patience led to my salvation. May I be patient with His all-wise timing that others may receive what I have freely been given.

"For the LORD has a day of vengeance, a year of recompense for the cause of Zion." I love the last part of this verse. The day of vengeance and the year of recompense are for the "cause of Zion." God loves His church. She is His bride and He will always do that which is best for His bride. He sees our plight. He knows our needs. He understands our cause better than we do and He will justly plead our cause at exactly the right moment. Do we trust our heavenly Spouse?

The remainder of the chapter speaks of the recompense that will surely come. Verses 9-17 vividly portray the consequences upon the wicked for their stubborn refusal to flee to the arms of our patient God. They have scorned His compassion. They will now experience His vengeance. That vengeance is full and frightening. Isaiah tells of utter devastation and ruin. He speaks of chaos and calamity. Oh, what a mess sin makes of things. A fruitful land becomes barren and a bustling city is turned into a ghost town.

Matthew Henry's words on these remaining verses were dear to me this morning. Pay particular attention to his last sentence.

"Verses 9-17 describe the melancholy changes that are often made by the Divine Providence. Places that have flourished go to decay. We know not where to find the places where many great towns celebrated in history once stood. These verses describe the judgments which are the just punishment which God will inflict when the year of recompense for the cause of Zion has come. Those that aim to ruin the church can never do that, but will infallibly ruin themselves."

Hear those words again: "Those that aim to ruin the church can never do that, but will infallibly ruin themselves."

God love His church - He loves those of us that belong to it. He is wonderfully patient in order that more and more might be gathered into her midst - into our midst. May we live our days and face our trials with a patient and gathering perspective. "For the LORD has a day of vengeance, a year of recompense for the cause of Zion."

Waiting,

Lori

The Church - Securely Staked Even in Dark Days - Isaiah 33 part 2

"Look upon Zion, the city of our appointed feasts;

your eyes shall see Jerusalem an undisturbed habitation,

a tent which shall not be folded,

its stakes shall never be pulled up

nor any of its cords be torn apart."

(vs 20)

Christ's church receives a lot of slack in our day and time. - both from within and from without. In all honesty, these are somewhat dark times in which we live and some of the slack is self-inflicted.

Many times there doesn't seem to be much difference between the church and the world. Sin reigns unchecked in many congregations. Gossip, promiscuity, family abuse, adultery, drunkenness, and unethical work practices are often ignored rather than being dealt with because "we might run someone off." Church discipline is rarely talked about and much less practiced.

At times churches hold forth the call of the gospel of Christ with a condescending arrogance rather than with a humble boldness - I've had the gospel literally screamed at me in my own town by those who say I'm not a real Christian because of the translation of the Scripture that I use. When seeking to engage them in conversation they have been unwilling and have written me off as an apostate. Pride and arrogance are antithetical to the gospel message. Christ came and spoke as One with all authority but He was not a jerk. Our message may be offensive but we as its messengers ought not to be.

Some churches seem willing to try anything - other than the simple means of grace - to grow, attract, and evangelize. Cloggers for Christ, Clowns for Christ, Cartwheels for Christ, Cool Cars for Christ, and Coffee for Christ. There are growth gimmics galore. (Admittedly many of these are done with the most genuine of motives.)

Sermons are often little topical talks rather than soul searching and heart piercing explanations and applications of the Word of God in an expositional context. Many have fled from the whole counsel of God to a cut and paste version of the Bible and the affects are noticeable. I have been in both types of churches and nothing has compared to the work of sanctification God has done in my heart through the church being committed to faithful preaching, fervent prayer, full fellowship, and loving discipline.

No doubt, there is much we could complain about, much that should break our hearts, and much that should drive us to prayer for the peace of Jerusalem. However, the church - with all of her blemishes and failures - is still the Bride of Christ and "the gates of hell shall not prevail against her."

This morning's section of Isaiah 33 reminded me of that and has burdened me, once again, to pray for the church in this world while I anxiously await the heavenly Jerusalem of the next. Here are the words of Isaiah 33:20 and Matthew Henry's thoughts on them:

"Look up Zion, the city of our appointed feasts; your eyes shall see Jerusalem as an undisturbed habitation, a tent which shall not be folded. Its stakes shall never be pulled up, nor any of its cords be torn apart."

"Jerusalem is indeed but a tabernacle in comparison with the new Jerusalem. God's church on earth is a tabernacle which though it may be shifted from one place to another, shall not be taken down while the world stands. The promises of the covenant are its stakes and the ordinances and institutions of the gospel are its cords, which shall never be broken."

How thankful I am for my particular church and how prayerful I must be for the universal church. God's covenant with her is everlasting and His Word and sacraments held forth through her shall never be torn apart. May He grant our churches and their leaders to stand boldly and yet with all humility on the foundation which He Himself has laid.

Praying for the Church,

Lori

The Character of the Holy, The Marks of the Godly, The Promise of the King - Isaiah 33

"Who among us can live with the consuming fire?

Who among us can live with continual burning?

He who walks righteously,

and speaks with sincerity,

he who rejects unjust gain,

and shakes his hands so that they hold no bribe;

He who stops his ears from hearing about bloodshed,

and shuts his eyes from looking upon evil;

He will dwell on the heights;

His refuge will be the impregnable rock;

His bread will be given him;

His water will be sure."

(vs 14-16)

This passage in chapter 33 thrills my soul this morning. What a majestic picture of our God. What a convicting picture of how I should walk. What a humbling promise of my King's care for me!

Verse 14 begins with a question. "Who among us can live with the consuming fire? Who among us can live with continual burning?" Just look back to chapter 6 when Isaiah the prophet finds himself in the presence of the thrice holy God. He is a man of unclean lips and he is ruined. So are we apart from the merciful touch of saving grace. The obvious answer is no one can live with this holy God who is a consuming fire!

"Our God is a consuming fire" (He 12:29). In Exodus 24 God is said to have appeared to the Israelites as a consuming fire on Mt. Sinai. What would happen to any of them who even dared to touch that mountain while God's presence was there? Utter ruin! Who among us can live with the consuming fire? If ever there was a rhetorical question, this is it!

Sin cannot dwell in the presence of this Holy God. That is why we who are by nature sinners must be changed by Him. That is why we are in such desperate need of the touch of sovereign grace - just as Isaiah needed the merciful touch of the burning coal from the hand of God's Seraphim. We must have Christ's righteousness imputed to our lives and His cleansing blood sprinkled upon us. His grace working in and through us is the only thing that can spare us from this all consuming fire and which can produce the type of walk that is next described in this passage.

"Who among us can live with the consuming fire?... He who walks righteously, and speaks with sincerity, he who rejects unjust gain and shakes his hands so that they hold no bribe; he who stops his ears from hearing about bloodshed, and shuts his eyes from looking upon evil."

I'm personally feeling a bit undone by these words and my failure in these things is blantantly obvious to me this morning. Here are the marks of a godly one. These are the marks that the Spirit of God should be forming in each of us who are disciples of Christ. Look at these and see if, like me, you are moved to sackcloth and ashes this morning and are awakened to your desperate need for the sanctifying work of our God. I read these and recognize my need for the All Consuming Fire to burn much dross off of my life this day!

• "He who walks righteously." Righteous walking! How am I walking the path that God has carved out for me? Am I acting in accord with the priniciples and commands of Scripture? Is His righteous word the road map for my way? Do I walk in the counsel of the wicked?
• "He who speaks with sincerity." Sincere speaking! How is my tongue? Do I speak the truth? Do I use my words to manipulate and gain my desires? Am I forthright or do I decieve others just as much with what I don't say as with what I do? Am I a gossip and a tale bearer? Are my lips clean?

• "He who rejects unjust gain." Am I willing to enrich myself by anything that is ungodly? Gambling? The lottery? Unreported income where the IRS is concerned? What about when the grocery clerk gives me back too much change? Am I above reproach in these areas? Do I reject them or do I embrace them?

• "He who shakes his hands so that they hold no bribe." Can I be bought at a price? While I may never be in a specific situation like Governor Blagojevich how often am I in heart situations that are similar? Am I ever afraid to say or do the righteous thing in front of someone because of what it may cost me friendship wise? Do I ever not do or say the righteous thing out of fear of being laughed at, mocked, or scorned? Do I ever not do or say the righteous thing because it might cost me my job? If so, have I not been bribed by the things of this world and the opinions of men?

• "He who stops his ears from hearing about bloodshed." An earlier mark dealt with what we say, this one deals with what we hear. What am I listening to? What fills my ears? Do I enjoy hearing gossip - which ultimately is tongue murder? Do I stop the tongue that tears down another or do I cozy up and savor it as it lingers on my ear drum?

• "He who shuts his eyes from looking upon evil." What am I watching? Have I with Job made a covenant with my eyes to not look upon any lustful thing or do I savor those things which stir up the lust of the flesh? What do I look at in magazines? on TV? on my computer? What pictures am I flooding my mind with? Are they evil or righteous? Do I shut my eyes to these things or roll out the red carpet for them?

How we need Christ to intervene! These righteous marks are all true of Him - 100%. This is the life He lived perfectly in our place 2,000 years ago and His death was to pay the penalty for our failure in these areas. We need to flee to the cross of Calvary - we need to flee to the Christ of Calvary! How we need to fill ourselves with the means of grace He has provided for us that we might not be tempted to walk in unrighteousness, to speak in insincerity, to embrace unjust gain, to hold tightly to a bribe, to listen long at bloodshed, and to gaze intently at evil. Lord, have mercy on us a sinful people and help us repent of our failures!

As God progressively sanctifies those of us He has justified and enables us to walk in Christ's footsteps there is a glorious promise attached. My heart just leaps at the beauty of these things. The one who, by grace, these things are true of will:"dwell on the heights; his refuge will be the impregnable rock; his bread will be given him; his water will be sure."

Look at these glorious promises of comfort from our God to His righteous people. We will be safe in the refuge of the impregnable rock. The same God who is an all-consuming fire is a light shining in our darkness to guide and to guard our way. We will be well cared for. There is nothing needful that the child of God shall lack. Our necessary bread and water will be given us. Even if in this life I go hungry by His all-wise providence, nothing can take the Living Bread from me. Even if in this life I thirst according to the counsel of his perfectly ordained will for my life, nothing can take away the Living Water that flows within. I am safe, I am secure, I am well fed, I am His and He is mine!

O All Consuming Fire burn me with Your love that I might walk in Your ways and enjoy your blessings.

Convicted and well fed,

Lori

The Work of Righteousness & the Gift of Peace - Isaiah 32

"And the work of righteousness will be peace,

and the service of righteousness will be

quietness and security forever."

(vs 17)

Work and peace - hmmmm. I can't say that I often think of work and peace in the same sentence. Honestly, all too often my work seems to be laborious and tiresome - exhausting not peaceful. Often I find myself grumbling and complaining under its load. Work was around before the fall and it surely was done in peace then, but after the fall work seems to wear us out. "Cursed is the ground because of you, in toil shall you eat of it all the days of your life" (Ge 3:17). Genesis 3 goes on to talk about the "thorns and thistles" that hurt and the "sweat of the brow" that flows out of our labors. Post-fall work is hard!

Yet, in this text work is said to result in peace. But note that it is the work of "righteousness" that will be peace. It is not sinful labor nor self-righteous labor that brings about peace. No, it is the "work of righteousness."

So, what does my condition at the end of my work say about my heart? I'm thinking through my days as a wife, mom, friend, church secretary (by default), musician, housekeeper, chef - add the infinite number of hats that I wear to the mix. How often do I find myself going through my life's routine sinfully rather than righteously? I grumble and complain about the tasks that lie before me - maybe not outwardly but often inside. There is no peace! I do my works hoping that someone will notice and give me a great big pat on the back - they don't. There is no peace! I give counsel, lend a hand, write a song proudly thinking I have it all together - my counsel is wrong, my helping hand is rejected, my song stinks. There is no peace! Sinful self-righteous labor doesn't bring me peace - it wears me out!!

On the contrary, when - by nothing but the sheer amazing grace of God - my works are done in humble reliance on my God because I recognize I can't do them on my own, then there is peace! When my labors are done that I might thank God rather than He or someone else thank me- then there is peace! When I give and do expecting nothing in return beyond the glory of God - then there is peace!

Works of righteousness can only come from the God of righteousness. I cannot produce them on my own. Before I can even possibly do a righteous act I must first be in Christ for He alone is my righteousness (1 Co 1:30, Jer 23:6). Anything and everything that we do while not resting in Him by grace through faith is only and always sin (Ro 14:23). There are NO works of righteousness that will ever flow from our lives apart from the righteousness of Christ imputed to us. Righteousness is found in the Lord Jesus Christ.

• "He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." (2 Co 5:21)
• "...having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ..." (Ph 1:1)
• "...and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith." (Ph 3:9)
• "...and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed." (1 Pe 2:24)

The redeeming work of God must be step number one before we can do any righteous act and before we can have any lasting peace. Here in Isaiah we see that fleshing out within the context. Notice in verse 15 just prior to this promise of peace that Isaiah speaks of the Spirit of God being poured out on them. Again, the work of the Triune God is a prerequisite for works of righteousness.

How desperately I need the work of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit to make my works righteous for I continually make them to be filthy rags (Is 64:6)! In "works of righteousness will be peace, and the service of righteousness, quietness and security forever." Peace, quietness, and security. I think I need to go to work now! By His sovereign mercy may I, with Solomon "commit [my] works to the LORD, that [my] plans will be established." (Pr 16:3)

Laboring on,

Lori

Growling Lions & Hovering Birds - Isaiah 31 part 2

"For thus says the LORD to me,

'As the lion growls over his prey,

against which a band of shepherds is called out,

will not be terrified at their voice,

nor disturbed at their noise,

so will the LORD of hosts come down

to wage war on Mount Zion.'

Like hovering birds so the LORD of hosts

will protect and deliver it;

He will pass over and rescue it.

Return to Him from whom

you have deeply defected,

O sons of Israel."

(vs 4-6)

I had to pause for a moment this morning to think on these two descriptions of our God. He is on the one hand described as a growling lion and on the other as a hovering bird. To those who rage and rail against His Kingship He is as a growling lion. To those who are His beloved children He is as a mother bird, hovering and protecting her young. Quite a contrast!

Notice the poor attempts of the "band of shepherds" to chase the lion away. They call out and yell at him. He is not bothered in the least by their clamouring! They rage and roar and take their stand but it is for naught! Throughout chapter 31 I've been drawn to Psalm 2 as a parallel passage. Hear its declaration:

"Why are the nations in an uproar, and the peoples devising a vain thing? The kings of the earth take their stand, and the rulers of the earth take counsel together, against the LORD and against His Annointed... He who sits in the heavens laughs, the Lord scoffs at them. Then he will speak to them in His anger and terrify them in His fury." (Ps 2: 1-5)

Their noise will not terrify the Lion of Judah, yet His growl will soon be turned against them and he will wage war with them. They will "stumble" and "fall" at the very breath of His indignation.

Yet, notice the beautiful contrast as this growling Lion is called His people's hovering bird. The picture here is incredible to me. It is that of a mother bird tending with all diligence to the needs of her young brood. She hovers over her little chicks, defending and protecting them from the enemy.

A few months ago a friend of mine who has chickens shared a remarkable story with me. As she looked out her kitchen window she noticed a chicken hawk circling over their driveway. On the driveway she saw one of their hens who had just had some new biddies. The mother quickly gathered her babies underneath her wings and then began to fend off the attacks of the hawk. That enemy hawk desperately wanted to destroy those chicks but that mother was not about to give them up. My friend said it was quite a battle but the hawk eventually left and not one of those little ones was lost.

The Scripture holds forth this picture in several places:

• "Like an eagle that stirs up its nest, that hovers over its young, He spread His wings and caught them; He carried them on His pinions." (Dt 32:11)
• "May the LORD reward your work, and your wages be full from the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to seek refuge." (Ruth 2:12)
• "He will cover you with His pinions, and under His wings you may seek refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and bulwark." (Ps 91:4)

Isaiah points out that, like this hovering bird, the LORD will protect and deliver His people. He is not willing that any of them be lost. (Mt 18:14, Jn 18:9)

God is as a growling lion to His enemies and as the protective wings of a mother bird to His children. To one He is a terror to the other a comfort. Which is He to me?

Thankful for the shadow of His wings,

Lori

Horses, Chariots, & the Holy One of Israel - Isaiah 31

"Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help,

and rely on horses, and trust in chariots

because they are many,

and in horsemen because they are very strong,

but they do not look to the Holy One of Israel,

nor seek the LORD!

Yet He also is wise and will bring disaster,

and does not retract His words,

but will arise against the house of evildoers,

and against the help of the workers of iniquity.

Now the Egyptians are men, and not God,

and their horses are flesh and not spirit;

so the LORD will stretch out His hand,

and he who helps will stumble,

and he who is helped will fall,

and all of them will come to an end together."

(vs 1-3)

Verses 1-3 pick up on the theme found at the beginning of chapter 30. Israel is trusting in the strength of Egypt rather than in the omnipotence of God. They are fleeing to the worshippers of false gods for assistance, all the while ignoring the One True and Living God who had made a covenant with them. Absolute foolishness!

Chapter 31 begins with a "woe" to them for this folly. They are relying on the horses and trusting in the chariots of this mighty pagan land "but they do not look to the Holy One of Israel, nor seek the LORD! Yet He is wise...." Matthew Henry asks, "Would not infinite wisdom engaged on their side stand them in more stead than all the policies of Egypt?" David expressed the answer to Henry's rhetorical question in Psalm 20 when he wrote: "Some boast in chariots, and some in horses; but we will boast in the name of the LORD our God."

They will not trust Him and if they will not place themselves under His all wise care then He will justly rise up against them. They have removed themselves from the place of covenant mercy and run headlong into the arms of "evildoers." By virtue of that action they have run headlong into the arms of God's divine wrath and covenant curses.

The strongest horses and mightiest chariots are not God and therefore there is no certain safety in them. God is the only immutable Rock. The best of men are not absolute sources of refuge. My husband and my dearest friends cannot be the ultimate horses and chariots of defense that I seek. Despite their love for me and earnest desire to help, they still are only finite creatures and will at times fail.

If the workers of righteousness cannot guarantee us security let it be known that the workers of iniquity can only guarantee us utter ruin. This is who Israel is running to, "the workers of iniquity", and the LORD is just about to stretch out His hand to bring about their well-deserved fall.

Oh that we with David would put our greatest trust in the name of the LORD our God. May He be our boast, our shield, our refuge, our strength. "How blessed are all who take refuge in Him!" (Ps 2:12)

In His glorious grace,

Lori

Pleasant Words / Prophetic Illusions - Isaiah 30 part 2

"Now go, write it on a tablet before them and inscribe it on a scroll, that it may serve in the time to come as a witness forever. For this is a rebellious people, false sons, sons who refuse to listen to the instruction of the LORD; who say to the seers, 'You must not see visions'; and to the prophets, 'You must not prophesy to us what is right, speak to us pleasant words, prophesy illusions. Get out of the way, turn aside from the path, let us hear no more about the Holy One of Israel.'

Therefore thus says the Holy One of Israel, 'Since you have rejected this word, and have put your trust in oppression and guile, and have relied on them, therefore this iniquity will be to you like a breach about to fall, a bulge in a high wall, whose collapse comes suddenly in an instant. And whose collapse is like the smashing of a potter's jar; so ruthlessly shattered that a sherd will not be found among its pieces to take fire from a hearth, or to scoop water from a cistern.'

For thus the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel, has said, 'In repentance and rest you shall be saved, in quietness and trust is your strength.' But you were not willing." (vs 8-15)

Wow! What a full passage this morning. I am personally struck and convicted by mankind's desire to have their ears tickled rather than to have their hearts pierced with the truth. (Read between the lines - I am personally struck and convicted by my desire to have my ears tickled rather than to have my heart pierced with the truth!) The Proverbs tell us "faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy bring death." What do I most want to hear - faithful hard truth or carressing pleasant words? What do I most need to hear illusions or reality - is not the answer plain? In Isaiah 30 these 'rebellious people' want to hear what the want to hear - not what they need to hear and the results will be disastrous.

It is interesting that the passage begins with the command to "write these things on a tablet" and to "inscribe them on a scroll that it may serve in the time to come." While these stubborn folks refused to receive any benefit from Isaiah's words themselves, perhaps their future generations would. Our children will learn from our response to the Word of God - oh, that they would learn from our faithfulness and not from our rebellion!

Isaiah's audience refuses to listen to the instruction of the LORD; instead they ask the seers to change their message. They would like a sermon that is a bit more palatable and easier to digest rather than an honest explanation and application of the Word of God. Hear the foolish boldness of their request: "You must not prophesy what is right, speak to us pleasant words, prophesy illusions." They literally command their prophets to prophesy falsely, to tell them what is wrong rather than to speak the truth in love. Pleasant words are damning words if they are false words. Prophetic illusions cannot be trusted for they are merely the magic tricks of Satan's trade! How ignorant and self-destructive are those who prefer the lulling lies of the enemy over the stinging scalpal of truth. The surgeon's scalpal may not feel pleasant, but it's purpose is to cut out that which will kill. It is necessary for life.

"Speak to us pleasant words.... Let us hear no more about the Holy One of Israel" (vs 11). They want pleasant words and they want a pleasant god. They want a god on their own terms and of their own devising. They want a jovial jeannie in the sky who can be rubbed whenever they sense a need. Sinners do not want God to be holy. That attribute is the one they dread above all others for God's holiness will undo them just as it did Isaiah in chapter 6.

They may not want to hear of God's holiness, but Isaiah recognizes that it is the thing they most need to hear of. I had to chuckle this morning at the bantering conversation between them. Rebellious Judah declares: "Let us hear no more about the Holy One of Israel." Isaiah's very next words are: "Therefore, thus says the Holy One of Israel." They don't want to hear but they must be told!

Isaiah is a faithful friend. He will not tickle their ears. He loves them enough to wound them with the truth. He loves them enough to point out that the God they don't want is the very God they must deal with. He is holy and the truth of that attribute will either cause us to run to Him for mercy (which we will find in Christ) or to run from Him in our foolish pride (which will lead to our eternal judgment and destruction). The latter is not an ear tickling statement, but pleasant words and prophetic illusions will not save us from the just wages of our sin. Truth doesn't change just because I don't care for it.

They have rejected the words of Isaiah and have trusted in Egypt to save them. Isaiah says they have synonymously trusted in "oppression and guile." Their security is in reality unsecurity. The wall is breached, it bulges from their weight and it is about to collapse. Its collapse will be so great that not a big enough piece of their so-called security will remain for them to scoop up a flaming brand from the fire or a drop of water from the well. That which we lean on in the place of Christ will fail us fully!

Oh that they would have listened. Beautifully Isaiah points us to the gospel once again. "In repentance and rest you shall be saved, in quietness and trust is your strength" (vs 15). Do you see the beauty of the gospel promise there? We are to repent of our sins, to turn from them and to Christ. If we are liars we must turn from our lying, flee to the God of truth and begin to speak truth. If we are theives we must turn from our stealing and turn to the Giver of Life from Whom all blessings flow and begin to share what we have received with others. Repentance involves a change in thinking and doing.

We are to repent of our sins and we are to rest in Him alone to save us from them. I cannot save myself - only Christ, through His redeeming work on Calvary's cross in which my sins were cast upon Him and His righteousness cast upon me - can save me. It is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone that I can be saved.

We are to repent of our sins and to rest on Christ alone to save us from them and we must quietly rely on and trust in Him for the strength necessary to walk in the newness of life. That walking is the fruit of gospel conversion.

Repent, rest, rely! Here is the call of the gospel held forth - "but you were not willing to listen." How tragic for them that they did not listen. How tragic for us if we will not listen.

"The God that knew them and desired their welfare, gave them this prescription; and it is recommended to us all. Would we be saved from the evil of every calamity? It must be in repentance and rest, in returning to God and reposing in Him as our rest. Let us return from our evil ways and settle in the way of God and duty, and that is the way to be saved." (Matthew Henry)

They would not listen. They only wanted pleasant words and prophetic illusions and the security they sought in that medicine of malpractice would kill them. "Justly will those die of their disease that will not take God for their physician." (Henry)

Oh Great Physician, help me this day to be both willing to hear and willing to speak the truth in love.

Thankful for the faithful wounds of my friends and the faithful Word of my God,

Lori