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This is what the LORD says-your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the LORD, your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go. Isaiah 48:17 (Isaiah 46-48)

Once again, Isaiah speaks to the future invasion by Babylon and then their failure because of dependance on powerless, false gods. He denounces astrology as fraudulent and reiterates that only God has the exclusive and unique power to predict and control the course of history.

The idols of this culture, and seen in man’s propensities today, are burdensome. You must pay in silver and gold to create these inanimate objects, carry them everywhere they must go, and protect them in costly manners. They take and take but still man pays homage and rejects the God that carries the burdens of His beloved creation.

God’s purpose for His people is peace.  All that leads to the Throne of God also leads to peace that passes all understanding. It is a journey worth making. FYI: The thoroughfare is straight, narrow, well lit and solidly built and protected.

Traveling On,

Gretchen

This is what the LORD says, Israel’s King and Redeemer, the LORD Almighty: I am the first and I am the last, apart from Me there is no other. Isaiah 44:6 (Isaiah 44-45)

Isaiah has turned his words, or rather, God has turned Isaiah’s words, to the comfort of those suffering the devastating consequences of sin, the greatest of which is being exiled from their home and taken into slavery.

Isaiah spoke of Cyrus, King of Persia, 150 years before he was even born. This king would allow the Jewish people to return to their homeland and rebuild the temple. At the present time, Jerusalem and its Temple still stood. Because God is the Lord of history, Isaiah was able to pull back the veil on the future and call this future king by name. In this, God proves His supremacy over all idols.

Isaiah calls a conference of nations to compare gods and their superiority of past and future. It was found, “apart from Me there is no other.” Through His prophets, God calls out the ridiculousness of pagan worship. The idols of man, literally formed by man’s own hand, are unable to do what man himself can.  THEY ARE INANIMATE OBJECTS! They cannot see, hear, speak, act and they certainly can’t LOVE!

We are the object of God’s love. We must serve Him, bask in this life giving gift and all its residual blessings, and then turn and bless others.

Love,

Gretchen

Thursday, March 3, 2022 He tends His flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart; He gently leads those that have young. Isaiah 40:11 (Isaiah 40-44)

Isn’t this verse beautiful?  Israel is no more and now all the optimism Hezekiah brought has faded with the sins of Manasseh. He fostered idolatry, sorcery and astrology, and Judah too, is racing toward annihilation. Isaiah now turns his words toward the world of exile and begins to comfort those who were removed from their home. Through God’s revelation, Isaiah brings the true hope of restoration and prosperity.

Very specific details to the future are presented through Isaiah. There will be no doubt that the preservation and rescue of God’s covenant people is the work of The One True God. Cyrus the Persian king was named 150 years before he was instrumental in God’s plan. God has predictive power!

These passages are some of the most restful in all of God’s Word. Eternal youth for all who believe is a sure thing. There is no molecule in all of the universe, both known and unknown, that God did not create and He is intimately in control, through His perfect knowledge and justice. There is comfort and peace for those in despair and distress. Israel’s God is incomparable, eternal and infinitely loving and kind. This God will be your shepherd too.

Love,

Gretchen

I will stretch out over Jerusalem the measuring line used against Samaria and the plumb line used against the house of Ahab. I will wipe out Jerusalem as one wipes a dish, wiping it and turning it upside down. Isaiah 21:13 (II Kings 18-21, II Chronicles 20, 32, 33 and Isaiah 36-38)

The understanding of eternal life for people of the Old Testament was vague and primitive. The personal news of Hezekiah’s death drove him to tears rather than hope. God responds and grants Hezekiah fifteen more years of life, protects Jerusalem from Assyria and as a sign God makes a stair sundial move backwards.

After Hezekiah’s death his twelve year old son, Mannaseh, became king and reigned 55 years. Mennaseh was an evil king who sacrificed his own child. Judah followed their leader and turned away from God once again. Mennaseh’s son Amon continued in his father’s pattern and was also evil as Judah ran farther and farther away from God’s law.

Israel has fallen. Judah is still surviving but they are hard hearted and rebellious despite the spiritual revival under Hezekiah’s conscientious leadership. God declares judgement is equal for all people and the consequences likewise. The fate of Judah would soon match Israel’s if they did not change their ways. However, every generation must find and determine its own commitment, and the next two kings had no desire to follow God and the fragile faith of the people did nothing to sustain worship of The One True God.

God’s perfect judgement is not a comparative study. There are no lesser or greater sins, only transgressions that destroy and separate man from God. Every generation must chose and all men within the ages must make their choice. No excuse, no comparisons, only God’s perfect understanding of each individual heart.

Have a great Midweek!

Gretchen

He who walks righteously, and speaks what is right, who rejects gains from extortion and keeps his hand from accepting bribes, who stops his ears against plots of murder and shuts his eyes against contemplating evil, this is the man who will dwell on the heights, whose refuge will be the mountain fortress. His bread will be supplied, and water will not fail him. Isaiah 33:15-16 (Isaiah 32-33)

God has spared Jerusalem from destruction at the hands of the Assyrian army, elevating Hezekiah’s prestige as leader, but there must have been a group of ungodly, yet influential women in his court. They stand against all that Isaiah preaches. One of his messages, through the terrifying siege of the city, was to assure its faithful residents that God would punish their enemies. Isaiah returns also to his foretelling of a coming King, whose radiance will reveal each man in their true character and call them by their right names. In other words, He will point fingers and name names and no one will be exempt.

In reference to all the doom and gloom judgement against those who reject Isaiah’s message and the God it represents, it is easy to forget Isaiah’s mission.  He was called to change people’s hearts. Obviously, some chose the sovereignty of God’s authority, both politically and personally, and the course of their life’s destiny was reversed. Others chose the fleeting comforts of luxury.   

Patient continuance in one’s daily walk is the deepest expression of Trust in God. Persevere faithfully in love toward those who reject God. 100% acceptance of the Gospel is every Christian’s ideal, but success rates much lower must not discourage and stop the determination of the few. It’s called ‘Hope’ for a reason. Hope of eternal life for those who believe, and Hope of salvation for those who do not……yet.

Happy Monday,

Gretchen

Your covenant with death will be annulled; your agreement with the grave will not stand. Isaiah 28:18 (Isaiah 27-31)

Isaiah continually warned the people of Judah to remain faithful and not return to their sinful ways over time.  One of the casual means by which men offend God is to rely on the earthly efforts of governments and principalities rather than God’s sustaining and protective power. Judah renewed their dedication, now they must remain faithful. Isaiah is very clear about the consequences of God’s judgement for those who reject His Holiness, and offers continual reminders of the blessings of obedience.

Death is not the moment your heart ceases to beat. It is separation from God for all eternity! There is no opportunity for a return from death. BUT! God has annulled death’s final say. For the faithful, there is no end. Eternity stretches out into forever for all who believe.

Obedience and faithfulness is for your own good.  Don’t give up, don’t give in!

Love,

Gretchen

You will keep in perfect peace, him whose mind is steadfast because he trusts in You. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal. Isaiah 26:3-4 (Isaiah 24-26)

Chapters 25 and 26 are packed full of scripture sung in hymns, engraved on wall plaques, worship banners, and taught throughout childhood.  They are rich in hope and promise! The words of chapter 24 tell of the fate of earth. Man’s world order, social distinctions and occupations, will not matter. Devastation and destruction have no prejudice, only perfect, truthful justice.

The imagery of a strong and safe city, whose walls and ramparts are salvation, (26:1) is a symbolic reference to Jerusalem’s deliverance against Assyria, and a tremendous encouragement to all who suffer persecution, or spiritual struggle. The entirety of Isaiah’s life was lived under threat that his home, would be overrun by foreign enemies, with great armies and ill intent. He chose faith, not just because He saw truly amazing things, but because, in faith, he sought God and He found Him.

God allowed Isaiah to see a New Heaven and New earth and hear the song of the redeemed. He witnessed the ultimate triumph of good over evil and death’s last stand. Someday soon, for each one of us, the wicked will be punished and the righteous will be blessed forever!

Have a Wonder Full Day!

Gretchen

Hezekiah received the letter from the messengers and read it. Then he went up to the temple of the LORD and spread it out before the LORD. II Kings 19:14(II Kings 18-19, II Chronicles 29-31)

When Hezekiah, son of  Ahaz, became king, Judah was in disarray. They were paying taxes to Assyria and twice were attacked and lost walled cities and land. But Hezekiah was not like his father! Listening to God’s messenger Isaiah and working through the Levites, Hezekiah, accomplished far reaching religious reforms. He began by tearing down the idols his wicked father erected. He reestablished religious observances, cleansed and rededicated the temple, and restored proper worship.  In a grand gesture of brotherhood, he invited what was left of the northern tribes to join the spiritual renewal, but most still refuse.

Sennecherib, king of Assyria, had been sending Hezekiah propaganda messages, trying to knock down any confidence he or his people had in God. When Hezekiah receive a message of threat, he went to the temple and gave it to the LORD!  Assyria’s pagan king did not know the power of The One True God invoked by those who believe.

The walls of Jerusalem were strengthened, a great conduit was built to supply water to the besieged city and military preparations were made. Then, a great deliverance came by means of an angel of the LORD when 85,000 men in the Assyrian camp were put to death. This brought Hezekiah great prestige and power. He strengthened the priesthood and people once again brought offerings and tithes that were distributed to all who had need. Judah returned to the blessings of faith and were as God intended, a blessing others.

Simple acts of faith are NOT small things! They change the world!

Love,

Gretchen

And the ransomed of the LORD will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away. Isaiah 35:10 (Isaiah 21, 23, 34, 35)

Being a seer is a difficult thing.  Isaiah was witness to great destruction, the apocalypse, and he was the deliverer of a salvation message that was wholeheartedly rejected. Yet, he maintained a firm trust and hope in God. Though those around him chose to dwell in spiritual darkness, he anticipated the arrival of a Child, a gift of light and joy, and an end to sin’s bondage.

Isaiah brought news of a world wide judgement that would effect all humanity. This judgement would mean doom for the pagan idolator, the ruthless abuser, the chosen people who rejected their God, but for those who believe it will be an end to evil, suffering, bondage and death.

Chapter 35 is the lyrical and poetic anthem of the Church Triumphant.  If you’re feeling discouraged, read it. If you need revival, this is it. There is a King’s Highway clear of threat and debris, and it leads us Home! Destruction gives way to restoration. Horror turns to re-creation. In the presence of God all things are made new and His Light casts away all shadows, especially the agony of death. What a Glorious known fact!

Here’s to the Future!

Gretchen

An oracle concerning Babylon that Isaiah son of Amoz saw. Isaiah 13:1 (Isaiah 13-17, 34:1-4)

Not an especially inspiring verse, but stick with me as I give a little history.  Judah has become subject to Assyriah. Ahaz’s sinful and perverse behavior has weakened the kingdom of God’s chosen people and now they must pay tribute to a foreign entity. The invasions Judah is vulnerable to are part of God’s plan of punishment, but these nations are not Holy! God is not endorsing them, but allowing them to proceed. They are acting out of their own imperialistic motivations and power. Isaiah knows that God will exact judgement on these nations too, in His time. 

Past sins haunt us. God can forget when we ask Him to, but we lack this super natural power, and so forgetting is piled on top of all our other free will choices. We must chose to NOT remember and move forward in faith. Ugh! I thought it got easier! Trust God with everything! All the dynamics of family, things far beyond my control that directly effect my daily life, the things I hoped to accomplish in my time on earth……all this must be relinquished and I must be still and know…..that He is God, and I am not.

100 years before Babylon became a world power, Isaiah knew of its collapse and the return of the exiled Jewish people to their homeland in very specific detail. That is significant! YOUR God, MY God, Our God, The One True God HAS GOT THIS! You long to know the end of your story? You think it would make things so much easier? Well, you do know the final chapter if you diligently live in faith.  God doesn’t make random stuff up. He knows the plan He has for you and it ends in Glory! 

Have a Great Day!

Gretchen