2015

For Jerusalem will stumble, and Judah will fall, because they speak out against the LORD and refuse to obey him. They provoke him to his face. The very look on their faces gives them away. They display their sin like the people of Sodom and don’t even try to hide it. They are doomed! They have brought destruction upon themselves. Tell the godly that all will be well for them. They will enjoy the rich reward they have earned! But the wicked are doomed, for they will get exactly what they deserve. (‭Isaiah‬ ‭3‬:‭8-11‬ NLT)

As read this morning I was halfway wondering if Isaiah was writing about America in 2015?

I love that His word says, If MY people who are called by my name.  If my people will humble themselves and pray. If we turn from our wicked ways. He will heal our land.  It is time to pray. It is time to repent. 

Here is my hope though from the reading in Isaiah today:

Tell the godly that all will be well for them. They will enjoy the rich reward they have earned! But the wicked are doomed, for they will get exactly what they deserve.  

By the way, I don’t want anyone to misunderstand this reference. Our rich reward is in Heaven. It is not here on earth. This doesn’t mean we will avoid all suffering here, but we have the assurance of our rich reward in Heaven. This truth is better then anything here on earth anyways!

God’s Hand is Recognizable

“Let’s go across to the outpost of those pagans,” Jonathan said to his armor bearer. “Perhaps the LORD will help us, for nothing can hinder the LORD. He can win a battle whether he has many warriors or only a few!” “Do what you think is best,” the armor bearer replied. “I’m with you completely, whatever you decide.”

Then Saul and all his men rushed out to the battle and found the Philistines killing each other. There was terrible confusion everywhere. Even the Hebrews who had previously gone over to the Philistine army revolted and joined in with Saul, Jonathan, and the rest of the Israelites. Likewise, the men of Israel who were hiding in the hill country of Ephraim joined the chase when they saw the Philistines running away. (‭1 Samuel‬ ‭14‬:‭6-7, 20-22‬ NLT)

When it is God everyone recognizes it, and they want to be part!

I Would Never, I Think

And when the people had come into the camp, the elders of Israel said, “Why has the LORD defeated us today before the Philistines? Let us bring the ark of the covenant of the LORD from Shiloh to us, that when it comes among us it may save us from the hand of our enemies.” So the people sent to Shiloh, that they might bring from there the ark of the covenant of the LORD of hosts, who dwells between the cherubim. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God.

So the Philistines fought, and Israel was defeated, and every man fled to his tent. There was a very great slaughter, and there fell of Israel thirty thousand foot soldiers. Also the ark of God was captured; and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, died. (‭I Samuel‬ ‭4‬:‭3-4, 10-11‬ NKJV)

We are unable to make God be or do what we want God to be or do.

Fulfilling a Covenant With God is Not Optional

At that time the Lord said to Joshua, “Make flint knives and circumcise the Israelites again.” So Joshua made flint knives and circumcised the Israelites at Gibeath Haaraloth. Now this is why he did so: All those who came out of Egypt—all the men of military age—died in the wilderness on the way after leaving Egypt. All the people that came out had been circumcised, but all the people born in the wilderness during the journey from Egypt had not. The Israelites had moved about in the wilderness forty years until all the men who were of military age when they left Egypt had died, since they had not obeyed the Lord. For the Lord had sworn to them that they would not see the land he had solemnly promised their ancestors to give us, a land flowing with milk and honey. So he raised up their sons in their place, and these were the ones Joshua circumcised. They were still uncircumcised because they had not been circumcised on the way. And after the whole nation had been circumcised, they remained where they were in camp until they were healed. (‭Joshua‬ ‭5‬:‭2-8‬ NIV)

Starting with Abraham a covenant was made. Circumstances do not change a covenant!

If HE…HA- HE is Able!

“I am now a hundred and twenty years old and I am no longer able to lead you. The Lord has said to me, ‘You shall not cross the Jordan.’ The Lord your God himself will cross over ahead of you. He will destroy these nations before you, and you will take possession of their land. Joshua also will cross over ahead of you, as the Lord said. And the Lord will do to them what He did to Sihon and Og, the kings of the Amorites, whom He destroyed along with their land. The Lord will deliver them to you, and you must do to them all that I have commanded you. Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.” (‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭31‬:‭2-6‬ NIV)

He is such an important word!

Are We Learning or Repeating History?

When the Lord your God brings you into the land he swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, to give you—a land with large, flourishing cities you did not build, houses filled with all kinds of good things you did not provide, wells you did not dig, and vineyards and olive groves you did not plant—then when you eat and are satisfied, be careful that you do not forget the Lord, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. (‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭6‬:‭10-12‬ NIV)

A reminder that it is all His anyway!

To Listen or Not to Listen

So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak. (‭Genesis‬ ‭32‬:‭24‬ NIV)

Left alone!

Paul’s Prayer Should Be Our Prayer

Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved. (‭Romans‬ ‭10‬:‭1‬ NKJV)

This is my prayer!

Your Plan or His Plan?

Now therefore, Tattenai, governor of the region beyond the River, and Shethar-Boznai, and your companions the Persians who are beyond the River, keep yourselves far from there. Let the work of this house of God alone; let the governor of the Jews and the elders of the Jews build this house of God on its site. Moreover I issue a decree as to what you shall do for the elders of these Jews, for the building of this house of God: Let the cost be paid at the king’s expense from taxes on the region beyond the River; this is to be given immediately to these men, so that they are not hindered. And whatever they need—young bulls, rams, and lambs for the burnt offerings of the God of heaven, wheat, salt, wine, and oil, according to the request of the priests who are in Jerusalem—let it be given them day by day without fail, (‭Ezra‬ ‭6‬:‭6-9‬ NKJV)

If God is for you who can be against you.

Do Not Do These Two Things…EVER

‘For thus says the Lord GOD: “Because you clapped your hands, stamped your feet, and rejoiced in heart with all your disdain for the land of Israel, (Ammon)

‘Thus says the Lord GOD: “Because Moab and Seir say, ‘Look! The house of Judah is like all the nations,’ (Moab)

‘Thus says the Lord GOD: “Because of what Edom did against the house of Judah by taking vengeance, and has greatly offended by avenging itself on them,” (Edomite)

‘Thus says the Lord GOD: “Because the Philistines dealt vengefully and took vengeance with a spiteful heart, to destroy because of the old hatred,” (‭Ezekiel‬ ‭25‬:‭6, 8, 12, 15‬ NKJV) (Philistia)

“Son of man, because Tyre has said against Jerusalem, ‘Aha! She is broken who was the gateway of the peoples; now she is turned over to me; I shall be filled; she is laid waste.’ (‭Ezekiel‬ ‭26‬:‭2‬ NKJV) (Tyre)

“Son of man, say to the prince of Tyre, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: “Because your heart is lifted up, And you say, ‘I am a god, I sit in the seat of gods, In the midst of the seas,’ Yet you are a man, and not a god, Though you set your heart as the heart of a god (‭Ezekiel‬ ‭28‬:‭2‬ NKJV) (King of Tyre)

Speak, and say, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: “Behold, I am against you, O Pharaoh king of Egypt, O great monster who lies in the midst of his rivers, Who has said, ‘My River is my own; I have made it for myself.’ (‭Ezekiel‬ ‭29‬:‭3‬ NKJV) (Egypt)

Pride and not standing with Israel will always leave a mark or lack there of.