V 7-11
These verses stood out for me after reading the whole chapter. Too often we rely upon ourselves to protect or defend what we have rather than look to God who has provided everything we need. Chariots, weapons, walls and reservoirs are utilised to preserve that which was temporary. The people looked inwards and outwards but not upwards.
How often do we when we are busy forget to look up to God for help and guidance? Instead we continue on in our own strength and build up our own ‘walls’ or ‘reservoirs’ rather than being open and giving to those around us.”
Duncan Webb
Tuesday, 9 June 2009
Monday, 8 June 2009
Isaiah Chapter 21
V 11
“Watchman, what is left of the night?
Watchman, what is left of the night?”
This guy really does want some answers. “Please just tell me...what is going on out there?”
I often feel like this when I look at our society and the world beyond and, if I allow myself to imagine life without a loving God, can elevate panic to my primary emotion! It is a wonderful enemy strategy to make us feel there is no hope; it can paralyse and reduce us to anxious questioning. How many of our neighbours operate like this? Who are people turning to for answers?
If we, as God’s people, can’t act as watchmen then who’s doing the job? Who is taking notice of enemy action? Who is seeking God’s wisdom and help? Who is offering hope and a future?
I believe God is calling us again to take on this role.
I pray our lives reflect God’s peace and power so that those struggling to make sense of life may look to us for answers and, in doing so, meet the living God.
Becky Hartley
“Watchman, what is left of the night?
Watchman, what is left of the night?”
This guy really does want some answers. “Please just tell me...what is going on out there?”
I often feel like this when I look at our society and the world beyond and, if I allow myself to imagine life without a loving God, can elevate panic to my primary emotion! It is a wonderful enemy strategy to make us feel there is no hope; it can paralyse and reduce us to anxious questioning. How many of our neighbours operate like this? Who are people turning to for answers?
If we, as God’s people, can’t act as watchmen then who’s doing the job? Who is taking notice of enemy action? Who is seeking God’s wisdom and help? Who is offering hope and a future?
I believe God is calling us again to take on this role.
I pray our lives reflect God’s peace and power so that those struggling to make sense of life may look to us for answers and, in doing so, meet the living God.
Becky Hartley
Friday, 5 June 2009
Isaiah Chapter 20
How then can we escape? v6
Although written to Israel who were foolishly relying on others instead of the Lord, these words also ring true Today. Hebrews 2 v 3 reads: ‘How can we escape if we ignore such a great salvation?
It was this warning that if we rely on any but the Lord, we have no hope of eternal life and will not escape the punishment for sin that spoke to me as a teenager and I received the Lord Jesus Christ into my life and knew the forgiveness of sin and the beginning of a relationship with God.
Grace Ruoff
Although written to Israel who were foolishly relying on others instead of the Lord, these words also ring true Today. Hebrews 2 v 3 reads: ‘How can we escape if we ignore such a great salvation?
It was this warning that if we rely on any but the Lord, we have no hope of eternal life and will not escape the punishment for sin that spoke to me as a teenager and I received the Lord Jesus Christ into my life and knew the forgiveness of sin and the beginning of a relationship with God.
Grace Ruoff
Thursday, 4 June 2009
Isaiah Chapter 19
The Holy Highway is a recurring theme in Isaiah’s prophecy. It will be put in place by God himself after the elevation of Jerusalem as foretold in Ezekiel’s prophecy. At the return of the Lord Jesus Christ to rule over all the world, Jerusalem will be lifted up to a position higher than Mount Olives.
It will be a super smooth road with no dangers whatsoever, stretching from the heart of Egypt to the Tigris River, designed to have no hazards for anyone whether they are infants or elderly. No-one with evil intentions will be allowed to walk on it. Only the redeemed of the Lord will walk there, and the Lord will join them and have fellowship with them as they go up to Jerusalem to worship him in the new temple on the plateau.
Ray Tribe
It will be a super smooth road with no dangers whatsoever, stretching from the heart of Egypt to the Tigris River, designed to have no hazards for anyone whether they are infants or elderly. No-one with evil intentions will be allowed to walk on it. Only the redeemed of the Lord will walk there, and the Lord will join them and have fellowship with them as they go up to Jerusalem to worship him in the new temple on the plateau.
Ray Tribe
Wednesday, 3 June 2009
Isaiah Chapter 18
Isaiah 18 talks of the destruction of the land of Cush, which we now call Ethiopia.
God has foreseen their plans for conquest and will undermine them, eventually bringing about acts of worship from a people set against Him. To me this once again reassures me of God's hand in our lives. He can foresee what lies ahead, what plans are being made, and if they are against Him then he can turn that around. Nothing is beyond God's power. In the NLT bible translation, verse 5 reads:
Even before you begin your attack, while your plans are ripening like grapes, the Lord will cut you off.
God is always in control. And this is a certainty. Often we may think that we are in control of our own plans, but we must remember that it is God who makes things possible or impossible for us. Not with our strength and planning, but with God's. So in everything we do we must seek God's wisdom and support. For if not, our plans can be undone, just as the Ethiopians were.
Suzie Timney
God has foreseen their plans for conquest and will undermine them, eventually bringing about acts of worship from a people set against Him. To me this once again reassures me of God's hand in our lives. He can foresee what lies ahead, what plans are being made, and if they are against Him then he can turn that around. Nothing is beyond God's power. In the NLT bible translation, verse 5 reads:
Even before you begin your attack, while your plans are ripening like grapes, the Lord will cut you off.
God is always in control. And this is a certainty. Often we may think that we are in control of our own plans, but we must remember that it is God who makes things possible or impossible for us. Not with our strength and planning, but with God's. So in everything we do we must seek God's wisdom and support. For if not, our plans can be undone, just as the Ethiopians were.
Suzie Timney
Tuesday, 2 June 2009
Isaiah Chapter 17
“You have forgotten God your Saviour; you have not remembered the Rock, your fortress” Isaiah 17 v 10:
This verse refers to the people of Judah who wandered away from God and ultimately suffered the shame of exile from their own land. For Christians today, the idea of forgetting God seems unthinkable. And yet…I wonder if we “forget” God in more subtle ways – in the way we live our lives and relate to other people. As I was reminded at church recently of the reality of persecution for thousands of Christians worldwide, I thought for these people it would be the easiest thing in the world to give up their faith in Christ and live without threats, intimidation, violence and torture. And yet…they hang in there, determined, clinging to faith in a God they cannot see, putting Him before all else. For many of us (or maybe it’s just me), being a Christian is comfortable because life in general is comfortable; I may not forget God but sometimes I can be complacent about following Him perhaps because I’m free to live out my faith.
God never forgets us – so let’s seek to always remember Him, our Saviour with us by His Holy Spirit, and worship Him with our whole lives.
Chris Hawker
This verse refers to the people of Judah who wandered away from God and ultimately suffered the shame of exile from their own land. For Christians today, the idea of forgetting God seems unthinkable. And yet…I wonder if we “forget” God in more subtle ways – in the way we live our lives and relate to other people. As I was reminded at church recently of the reality of persecution for thousands of Christians worldwide, I thought for these people it would be the easiest thing in the world to give up their faith in Christ and live without threats, intimidation, violence and torture. And yet…they hang in there, determined, clinging to faith in a God they cannot see, putting Him before all else. For many of us (or maybe it’s just me), being a Christian is comfortable because life in general is comfortable; I may not forget God but sometimes I can be complacent about following Him perhaps because I’m free to live out my faith.
God never forgets us – so let’s seek to always remember Him, our Saviour with us by His Holy Spirit, and worship Him with our whole lives.
Chris Hawker
Monday, 1 June 2009
Isaiah Chapter 16
This chapter continues of the prophecy concerning Moab begun in Ch 15. When threatened by attack, the people of Moab usually looked for security in their mountain stronghold of Sela, the area of Petra in Jordan. Rather than sit tight like birds on their nest, God has stirred them up and made them seek refuge as vassals in Zion. Their tribute would be the gift of lambs, (v1 & 2).
In v 3 to 5, God instructs His people to put their mind and strength into the welfare of these fugitives, lovely words which at one level foretell what God will do through David’s greater Son, Jesus.
Moab was the son of Lot through his incestuous relationship with his eldest daughter (Gen 19). His descendants occupied the mountainous south east end of the Dead Sea. Such an unpromising start does not exclude all Moabites from God’s grace, which thankfully extends to all sinners. An example is Ruth, a Moabite and David’s grandmother, who is drawn into the royal line that leads directly to Jesus.
Isaiah, however, sees through to the heart of the Moabite problem…..their pride ….which will prevent them responding to God’s offer of shelter in Zion. Their choice will result in them being conquered within 3 years, with all the attendant grief that goes with such an end (v6 to 13). Verse 12 is an apt reminder of the futility of all pagan religion.
This chapter speaks directly to us of the consequences of our decisions and choices…… will you accept God’s outrageous Grace as revealed in Jesus, or will you fall foul of your own false gods and pride? The choice is yours. Read verse 4b and 5 again.
Andy Poulsom
In v 3 to 5, God instructs His people to put their mind and strength into the welfare of these fugitives, lovely words which at one level foretell what God will do through David’s greater Son, Jesus.
Moab was the son of Lot through his incestuous relationship with his eldest daughter (Gen 19). His descendants occupied the mountainous south east end of the Dead Sea. Such an unpromising start does not exclude all Moabites from God’s grace, which thankfully extends to all sinners. An example is Ruth, a Moabite and David’s grandmother, who is drawn into the royal line that leads directly to Jesus.
Isaiah, however, sees through to the heart of the Moabite problem…..their pride ….which will prevent them responding to God’s offer of shelter in Zion. Their choice will result in them being conquered within 3 years, with all the attendant grief that goes with such an end (v6 to 13). Verse 12 is an apt reminder of the futility of all pagan religion.
This chapter speaks directly to us of the consequences of our decisions and choices…… will you accept God’s outrageous Grace as revealed in Jesus, or will you fall foul of your own false gods and pride? The choice is yours. Read verse 4b and 5 again.
Andy Poulsom
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