All Said and Done

O Lord, You are my God;
I will exalt You, I will praise and give thanks to Your name;
For You have done miraculous things,
Plans formed long, long ago, [fulfilled] with perfect faithfulness. Isaiah 25:1

The Lord God planned, purposed and executed His plan perfectly, just as He said!

I love this chapter!  In His time, in His way, in perfect faithfulness God does what He says He will do! When I can’t see it, when I don’t understand it, when I am surrounded by the enemy, God is in control and His plan will succeed!  There is a time to weep, but joy comes in the morning when God in His faithfulness calls in the final act and finishes His work.  God’s perfect faithfulness! Jesus! History (His story)!  All God’s plans will be fulfilled and come to pass in His time!

Thank You, Father, for the perfect plan for our world and each of our lives.  Thank You for sharing that plan and including each of us in it. Thank You for Your faithfulness and the confidence in the King of the universe, the Master Planner, the Beginning and the End, the Great I Am, the Author and Finisher of our faith!!!Go God!!

I’ll Do It My Way

You built a reservoir between the two walls for the water of the Old Pool,
but you did not look to the One who made it, or have regard for the One who planned it long ago. Isaiah 22:11

The warriors of Jerusalem tried to fortify the walls and build a reservoir to keep their city safe. Problem is they failed to do what God had already commanded and did not seek his advice or direction for defense of their great city.

Enough said!! Pretty obvious isn’t it that when we try to defeat the enemy of our souls with our worldly wisdom and standard techniques without seeking God’s desire and plan, we are doomed to fail!  When we set out to defend ourselves and put up walls against the things and the people who hurt us, it works against us. God has a perfect defense and plan that will bring about exactly what we need and often desire, but we must “seek first His kingdom and all these things will be added unto us.”  But you can be sure His plan for defense will likely not resemble your plan. In fact, it may not seem like defense at all but when followed will yield more victory than we could have imagined.  O foolish woman that I am, when will I learn that Your way is the only sure way to victory and peace!!

Lord Jesus, thank YOU for reminding me today that you have the blueprints for my life and for victory for me, for Your body and for the world.  You are the only one who truly understands the enemy and knows just how to counter his attacks. Help me rely on You and trust You when You speak through your word or directly to my heart. Surround me with Your love and a band of angels to keep me in Your care. Guide my feet, my thoughts and my actions as I seek to go into battle with Your armor not my own!  Oh, Jesus guide me as I get older and don’t think as clearly, to always be aware of Your voice and Your truth.

Trust the Architect

You built a reservoir between the two walls for the water of the Old Pool,
but you did not look to the One who made it or have regard for the One who planned it long ago. Isaiah 22:11

The warriors of Jerusalem tried to fortify the walls and build a reservoir to keep their city safe. Problem is they failed to do what God had already commanded and did not seek his advice or direction for defense of their great city.

Enough said! Pretty obvious isn’t it, that when we try to defeat the enemy of our souls with our worldly wisdom and standard techniques, without seeking God’s will and plan, we are doomed to fail!  When we set out to defend ourselves and put up walls against the things and the people who have hurt us, it works against us. God has a perfect defense and plan that will bring about exactly what we need and often desire, but we must “seek first His kingdom and all these things will be added unto us.” You can be sure His plan for defense will likely not resemble your plan. In fact, it may not seem like defense at all, but when followed it will yield more victory than you could have imagined.  When will we learn that Your way is the only sure way to victory and peace!!

Lord Jesus, thank You for reminding us today that you have the blueprints for life and for victory for Your children and for the world.  You are the only one who truly understands the enemy and knows just how to counter his attacks. Help us rely on You and trust You when You speak through your word or directly to our spirits. Surround us with Your love and a band of angels to keep us in Your care. Guide our thoughts and actions as we seek to go into battle in Your armor not our own!  Oh, Jesus, guide us to always be aware of Your voice and truth, and to obey.

Said and Done

1.The Lord will have compassion on Jacob; once again he will choose Israel and will settle them in their own land.

31 The Lord will have compassion on Jacob; once again he will choose Israel and will settle them in their own land.32 What answer shall be given to the envoys of that nation? “The Lord has established Zion, and in her his afflicted people will find refuge.” Isaiah 14: 1,31-32

God’s faithfulness to Israel – The Lord spews judgment on Babylon (evil) while surrounding Israel with the promise of refuge. I love the way Isaiah bookends this chapter with hope!

What God promises- God fulfills. What God says – He will do! Those who think they themselves are gods and rule the earth will perish at the hands of their own wickedness as God has promised. God’s salvation is done – complete-a sure thing-finished- the fulfillment of His Promise!!!!  End of story for the wicked but the beginning of life for those who takes refuge in the One and only GOD!!

Thank You Jesus! Thank You God for allowing our wrath to be poured out on Your Son, that I might have life. May I never forget the price you paid for my freedom and refuge. Be the strength in my weakness and may I always have a humble and contrite spirit before you! THANK You! Thank YOU!!

Join in Weeping

So I weep, as Jazer weeps,for the vines of Sibmah.
Heshbon and Elealeh,I drench you with tears! Isaiah 16:9

God cries, weeps over the destruction that the wicked bring on themselves. His heart is broken over His fallen creation. He even tells His people to take in the fugitives from Moab who are fleeing this great destruction. 

God continues to show me His heart regarding sin and sinners. I have read Isaiah at least 30 times in my walk and have never been so gripped with God’s crying and weeping over the destruction of the wicked. It was not meant to be this way. All living creation was meant to worship and enjoy paradise, harmony, and unspeakable joy in a perfect environment. Only He knows what we are missing. Only He understands how destructive our choices can be.  And only He can provide the truth that will lead us back to paradise, joy and harmony with Him.

As I see more and more of His heart, will I respond with Him in weeping over a lost world?  Will I offer refuge to those seeking to escape destruction? Will I stand uncompromisingly on His truth and allow others to stumble over it or accept it?

Jesus, thank You for Your perfect plan for Your creation. Thank You for making that plan clear as You walked among us and demonstrated obedience and love. You allowed us to see Your tears over death and disbelief. We sometimes get so caught up in the relief and freedom we have found in You that we forget to weep for the lost. Open our eyes and hearts to the needs of those around us and help us to extend Your grace and salvation to all.

Insignificant Things Matter

 The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them. Isaiah 11:6

Prophecy of the day when all will be at peace; large and small, leaders and servants, kings and slaves, rich and poor. Peace will reign over all.

I chose this verse but am looking at the entire first section of this chapter.  From a stump, a root, a remnant, a child, (that which is small and seemingly insignificant) peace and harmony come to the world.  There will be a new heaven and a new earth, for the old corrupted one will be no more!!!! But in the meantime, I am to pray to see what Jesus sees and hear what He hears and proclaim His truth into those situations. I am to look without prejudice at all and not be influenced by position, rank, money, popularity, or lack or any of the above. That applies in the body of Christ, as well as in the world. I realize today that although I may not have racial or ethnic prejudice, I may be guilty of spiritual prejudice. Those denominations aren’t as “holy” as mine. Those believers have a lot to learn and a long way to grow to earn an “A” in my book!  I’m embarrassed to think I might think or act that way. We are all at different levels with different battles and different personalities, but none of us is loved more, or less by our Heavenly Father.

Lord, help me to feel so secure in Your love that I am free to love and accept those who are in a different place, at a different stage of development, and maybe even obedience. It is not my place to change them, but to love and respect them and pray for Your truth to penetrate all our hearts and minds with the peace of Christ.

Let the Son Shine In

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. Isaiah 9:2

Isaiah continues his prophecy of the future coming of Jesus.  Jesus will bring light into the darkness caused by sin. The NIV says, “to those who walk in the land of the shadow of death…”  When I read that phrase, I was reminded of Psalm 23 where David says, “though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil.”  This world is the valley of the shadow of death and decay we walk through each day.

The perfect world that Adam and Eve were placed in began decaying the moment they sinned against their Creator and Friend -God.  Vegetation decayed; animal life decayed, human life decayed; all existence on earth decayed. But into all that putrefying decay comes the light and life-giving presence of Jesus Christ!  With that light comes the promise that our souls can be restored and never again decay but live forever with Him in heaven. The earth may pass away, but His promises will remain true and reliable; you can count on them!  There will be no decay in heaven, no sorrow, no sickness, no pain, no death. All signs of decay will vanish in the light of His presence!! The shadow of death will be replaced by the light of the Son.

Father, as I sit here on this rainy day with clouds shadowing the sun, I know that above those clouds is the brilliant light of the Son. I am reminded that no matter how dark it gets the Son is always shining. The darkness of death, disease, and disaster cannot extinguish the Son. The shadows of depression, discouragement and defeat cannot blot out the Son. In fact, the rains of testing and trials are often what cause us to grow and blossom in the light of our faith. Noting hinders the Son from bringing life out of death. Help us to look for the Son

Unexpected Command

If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all.’”10 Again the Lord spoke to Ahaz, 11 “Ask the Lord your God for a sign, whether in the deepest depths or in the highest heights.” Isaiah 7:9

The Lord had made a promise to Ahaz through the prophet Isaiah that Israel would not be overtaken by two warring kings. He was told to stand firm in his faith in this promise. But then God asked a strange thing of Ahaz; he was to ask for a sign that God he would do what He promised. Ahaz refused!  Normally asking God to prove Himself would be due to lack of faith, but in this instance, God Himself is desiring to give a sign to assure His people of His faithfulness.

I’m not sure I fully understand what is happening here without some research, but I believe God is testing Ahaz’s commitment and faith, but Ahaz refused. Then God gave him a sign which would have been a sign of deliverance but because of Ahaz’s failure to obey, it became a sign of defeat.

Once again, we see that obedience to God does not always follow the standard practice. God looks on the heart not just the actions, and judges man’s motives. Apparently, Ahaz had doubt or pride that prevented him from humbling himself and asking for a sign.  Maybe to him that appeared like weakness. Regardless, he failed to obey, and the result was defeat.

Lord, when I hear Your voice speaking directly to me, help me to listen with a humble, surrendered heart of obedience. Even when I don’t fully understand your command, help me to stand firm on my faith in You.  Give me divine wisdom and discernment to hear your voice and not doubt but obey in faith that You will bless my obedience.

Bad News -Good News

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty;
the whole earth is full of his glory.” Isaiah 6

Isaiah is brought into the presence of the Almighty God and gets a glimpse of the heavenly hosts praising God. It brings him to his knees in humility and awe.

When I look at this scripture I shiver at the thought of His holiness and glory. Notice it was His holiness and glory that brought Isaiah to his knees, not a condemning command. It wasn’t shame because of all the rules that he had  broken, but the “glory” of the Almighty, Holy, God! When he saw that glory and holiness, he automatically faced his own un-holiness!  That fact makes me ponder why we spend so much time condemning the sinner and pointing out his sin, rather than showing off the glory of God, in love and forgiveness and pointing out all the miracles of changed lives and goodness in our world. Maybe it’s because we spend so much time looking at all the sinfulness around us that we fail to see the goodness, miracles and the Glory of the Lord manifesting itself throughout the world.  How often when we watch the “news’ or read it online or in the paper, do we gravitate toward the negative headlines. The more sensational, the better! 

I know as Christians we cannot bury our heads in the sand. We need to be informed and face reality, but what if for every negative piece of news our friends report, we countered with a report of love, mercy, heroism or compassion. What if we reflected that love, mercy, forgiveness and compassion to the point that they realized that we were oddballs and different. What if our love and kindness was so full of God’s glory that it brought them to their knees or at least to an open conversation about our weird views and attitudes.

Lord Jesus, you have shown me Your glory, now it is time for me to show others that same glory – love in its finest expression – compassion, patience, forgiveness, encouragement, understanding…every attitude that expresses God’s character in me. Christ in me, the hope of glory! Father, help me to reflect your glory!

Bitter Grapes

What do you think is going on between me and my vineyard?
Can you think of anything I could have done to my vineyard that I didn’t do?
When I expected good grapes, why did I get bitter grapes? Isaiah 5:2

God had done everything possible to produce juicy sweet grapes but got “sour grapes” instead.  Why? The question God asks is one that probes every generation, why are we not more fruitful when He has done everything needed for our salvation and transformation (our fruitfulness)? 

In our Bible study this week we delved into how difficult it was to prepare the soil, removing all the stones and preparing the soil for the vines. Hours, days, weeks, even months of labor in the hot sun just to prepare the soil. Then tilling the soil, terracing the land to hold the rain waters, preparing a winepress to press the grapes and building a watchtower to provide protection for His vineyard.  He gave His best for this vineyard and what did He get…. sour grapes!!!!

The question was asked of us , “What more could God do for you than He has already done?  What would be your complaint before God?”  We piously say, “Oh nothing! He has done all!”  But in the privacy of our hearts, when no one is watching or listening, we say things like.…Why am I sick? Why don’t you heal me? Why don’t you heal my financial situation? Why isn’t my family saved? Why do I suffer misunderstanding or disrespect at work? Why can’t I figure out my future? Why are my kids bullied? Why is there so much anger, hatred and hunger in our world? Why? Why? Why? Why???

God did everything needed to prepare the vineyard (His children-us) for success and fruitfulness, so why are we not more fruitful?  Could it be that we are more concerned with things “under the sun” than things above “with the Son?”  Is most of our time spent worrying about money, status, looking good, having the perfect life here and enjoying it to its fullest or are we more concerned about “laying up treasures in heaven”? We must live and survive in this world, but we need to THRIVE in the fruit of righteousness that is concerned more with the needs of the oppressed, fatherless, widows, orphans, sick and destitute, spiritually, physically, emotionally and socially.

Oh, Jesus, thank You for providing everything we need to be fruitful for your kingdom. Help us to focus on the needs around us rather than our need for perfection and prosperity and a pain free life in this world.  Help us to see what’s important to You and realize that we need to focus on the needs of those around us for inner transformation that will produce the fruit of righteousness.