SOAP 07/26/2014; Isaiah 49:6

Today's reading: Isaiah 46, 47, 48, 49; 1 Peter 5

S) "⁶ He says, 'It is too small a thing that You should be My Servant
To raise up the tribes of Jacob and to restore the preserved ones of Israel;
I will also make You a light of the nations
So that My salvation may reach to the end of the earth.'"

Isaiah 49:6 (NASB)

O) God's grace is not new. Isaiah was the messianic prophet, so a very large number of his writings were prophecies about Jesus Christ. In this verse, God is declaring to Jesus, through Isaiah, that the salvific work He will do is not only for the Jews, but also for the Gentiles. It was God's plan all along, that His grace would extend to all mankind. After all, Adam was not an Israelite, Noah was not an Israelite, even Abraham was not an Israelite. Most of this topic is covered thoroughly in the book of Hebrews, and there isn't much I can add to that (conversationally; I can add nothing scripturally/canonically). But this verse stood out because it is a clear example that God's plan for redemption was not haphazard or capricious, but deliberate and foreknown.

A) More than anything else, this verse drives me to thanksgiving. I screw up all of the time, and often in Christian circles we think about verses like Romans 5:8 and draw a lot of comfort from that (and rightfully so). However, this verse in Isaiah drives the point home even harder. God's grace for me, as an individual, began much, much further ago. It didn't start with Christ's resurrection, or with His sacrifice on the cross. It didn't start with the birth of Jesus, either. It's weird to think that what happened 2000 years ago is recent, but when I think about how far back God's plan of my salvation was, realizing that 2000 years ago wasn't even the beginning of His plan, I am truly awestruck and humbled and thankful.

P) Father, I have sinned against You, and I confess and repent of my sins. As I do that, I am humbled and thankful for Your grace in Your mercy. Your plan for my salvation, Your plan to substitute Your own Son in my place of punishment, it was thousands and thousands of years in the making. I will forever praise You for the awesome God You are. I will glorify Your name for the grace and mercy I have received. I will worship You, in humble thanks, for Your compassion and lovingkindness, which overwhelmed me in my sin. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 07/25/2014; Isaiah 44:19

Today's reading: Isaiah 43, 44, 45; 1 Peter 4

S) "¹⁹ No one ^[m]recalls, nor is there knowledge or understanding to say, 'I have burned half of it in the fire and also have baked bread over its coals. I roast meat and eat it. Then I make the rest of it into an abomination, I fall down before a block of wood!'"

Isaiah 44:19 (NASB)

O) This verse is a recap of the folly of idolatry. Isaiah had two paragraphs before this, breaking down the process, if you will, of making an idol. He compares put the mundane task of building a fire and cooking bread, right in front of the supposedly important task of carving an idol. Because he wrote these in succession, he was easily able to draw these two tasks together, by the idea that they are actually performed using the same piece of timber. Doing so, highlights the absurdity of making an actual, physical idol. And yet, as this verse says, no one recalls, nor is there knowledge or understanding. I left the footnote on the word recall, because it is more literally translated, "returns to his heart," and that signifies the greater issue.

A) Often, as I read through Old Testament narrative, I am dumbfounded. So much of the folly makes me shake my head in utter confusion. But, when I read a verse like this, and a phrase like "No one returns to his heart," it starts to shed light on the underlying reason, and it sheds light on the fact that idolatry still exists. Recently, two coworkers discovered they had successive birthdates. I overheard them start talking about their astrological signs. They were, apparently, on the cusp of some defining line between two different signs. At first, I thought nothing of it - I hear people half-heartedly refer to things like the zodiac all of the time. But then, the woman made a reference to believing she must actually be a "leo" because of her affinity for cats. Then I realized, I hear comments like this all of the time. People will assert they don't actually believe in astrology, but then tell you why it's kind of accurate. People will tell you they don't believe fortune cookies mean anything, but then they'll keep the small script of paper pinned up at work for weeks on end, because they like what it says. People will say all kinds of atheism, but then they will still live as believers. I am reminded of Romans 1:20, and I am reminded of my quip, "When people tell me they don't believe in God, I tell them I don't believe in atheism." and I reassert my stance. The problem, as we learn from the footnote to this verse, is not that people don't believe in deity, it is that they don't want to think it through. People will tell you they believe in karma, fate, "the will of the universe," and all sorts of other vague concepts, because they want to believe in something, but they don't want to reflect on it too long. People don't want to deal with the complicated process of discovering Truth. And, in full confession, I have done this. While my belief in the LORD has never waned, my practices certainly have. I don't actually even have to go back very far to see it. The biggest culprit is money. Finances can get tight, and it's easy to believe the lie, that the same substance I use to warm my house and obtain my food, will somehow solve other problems in my life. What's the antidote? Reflection. I need to carefully return to my heart, and seek knowledge, and obtain understanding - about myself, about my circumstance, about my solution. All of this seeking starts within myself, and then I must direct it to God. I must acknowledge my folly, confess my sin, and seek the LORD.

P) Father, forgive me for my unfaithfulness. Forgive me for looking elsewhere for security, peace, provision, and even satisfaction. I confess that my heart has been idolatrous. Please renew in me a faithful, contrite heart. Renew my desire to seek You first and only. Help me to recognize my own folly, and help me return to my heart, to come to my senses. Thank You for being forever faithful. Thank You for grace in the face of my guilt, and love in the face of my rebellion. You are my Father God, and I will be Your prodigal son. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 07/24/2014; Isaiah 40:29-31

Today's reading: Isaiah 40, 41, 42; 1 Peter 3

S) "²⁹ He gives strength to the weary
    and increases the power of the weak.
³⁰ Even youths grow tired and weary,
    and young men stumble and fall;
³¹ but those who hope in the Lord
    will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
    they will run and not grow weary,
    they will walk and not be faint."

Isaiah 40:29-31 (NASB)

O) This is the closing passage from the chapter. The whole passage encourages God's people. In fact, the first verse opens "Comfort, comfort my people," and there are some very familiar, oft-quoted verses throughout the chapter (including v.31). At this point through Isaiah, Israel has been conquered and led into exile, and Judah has impending doom. This chapter is a reminder that there is an end, though. These three final verses sum up the entire chapter. God continually tells His people that the way is difficult, but that He is sufficient. This passage is very physical in its description, but it is also spiritual in its truth.

A) Full disclosure: this verse may have jumped out at me, because I have recently had to concede that my body (and this is even hard for me to type)... just... I don't want to say I'm getting old (I'm not old!), but my body is showing signs that it simply cannot do what I used to make it do. Through sheer force of will, I used to be able to force my body to do all sorts of things. It was only a matter of determination and practice. This is no longer the case. There, I said it. So, when I read this verse, my heart skipped a beat! I was reminded that, in a literal way, God can give me strength and increase my power! I can run and not grow weary, and walk and not be faint! But, after the silly excitement ebbed (and please note, I describe it as silly, because it's not like I'm some athlete who needs to be able to run and jump and perform physically. What difference does it make if my knees don't let me jump off a roof anymore?), after I came down from that bit of fantasy, I started thinking of this verse in spiritual context. There are many, many references in the Bible to walking with God, and many in the New Testament about running a race. These types of metaphors are reminders that there is a specific path we are to follow as we are faithful to the LORD, and the way is long and difficult. There certainly will be (have been) times along the way that are exhausting. If I am trying to sustain myself by sheer force of will, just determination and practice, then I am doomed to break down and fail. The biggest key to this entire chapter, and certainly in this excerpt, is tied to a single word: hope. But, hope is only as good as the promise, and promise is only as good as the guarantor. And, so what does this passage really say? Hope in the LORD, because He is faithful to do just what He says. He strengthens the weary, and increases the power of the weak. The physical promise has fun implications, but the spiritual promise is vital.

P) Father, You are powerful, wise, compassionate, and holy. I am limited. There is no comparing to Your greatness, but even compared to other men, I fall short of power, or wisdom, or compassion, or holiness. But, I thank You that I am not relying on myself. If I had only my will power, and determination, and grit, and just trying harder, I would still fall short. I am limited, and You designed me to be that way. Thank You, Father, for making me rely on You. If not for the humbling weaknesses I have, the bitter tears of my own failures, then I might never have come to accept Your mercy and grace and provision and love. Let me embrace my weakness, and my weariness, as it allows for Your glory to shine. May I never be lifted up, unless You are praised by it. May I never run unless You are glorified. May I never walk unless You are worshiped. In anything You call me to do, Lord, let me trust fully that You will enable me to do it. I put my hope in You alone, and trust in Your faithfulness. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 07/23/2014; Psalm 75:6-7

Today's reading: 2 Kings 20; Isaiah 38, 39; Psalm 75; 1 Peter 2

S) "⁶ For not from the east, nor from the west,
Nor from the desert comes exaltation;
⁷ But God is the Judge;
He puts down one and exalts another."

Psalm 75:6-7 (NASB)

O) The majority of this Psalm is a warning against pride, boasting, and insolence. So, while this passage seems to be a promise of God's favor in one respect, when we read it in context it comes across much more like a continuation of the warning. We are warned not to give credit to anyone else, but God alone. He is the Judge who determines whom to exalt, and whom to put down. He decides in complete righteousness, at the exact right time (see v.2).

A) This is one of those concepts that is almost a semantic argument. Let's suppose I want a promotion (which I do!), and with goal of getting the position, I want to obtain favor in the sight of the hiring manager. I can try to buddy-buddy, sort of warm up, get in friendly with the hiring manager. I can try to be personable, confident, pleasant, and every other kind of positive characteristic I can think... but this verse reminds us that the exaltation I seek will not come from the hiring manager... Better would be to seek God, to obtain favor from the hiring manager. God can clearly give favor in the eyes of men. We see that throughout the Bible, and one of my favorite examples is found in Nehemiah 1 & 2. But, I think this still might miss the ultimate mark. My biggest concern should always be, seeking favor in God's eyes. If I put it like this, it seems most clear. If I am to be exalted, by whom would I want to be exalted, the most? Whether or not anyone else knows that He has exalted me, I don't really care. If I never receive another promotion in my life, and struggle in my current job, and my bosses begin to despise me... but God exalts me in His own eyes...? That would be enough. That should be enough. Our righteousness is given to us by grace, through the blood of Jesus. In reality, I am already highly favored. I don't think it's wrong to seek a promotion. I'll continue to pray for it, unless God makes it clear that it would be bad for me to have. But, in the meantime, I will care a lot less about the exaltation that comes from people, and concern myself with the exaltation that comes from God.

P) Father, I want to keep my focus on You, Lord. There are a lot of distractions in life, and a lot of deceptive circumstances. There are many times when I feel like things would be easier, if only so-and-so thought of me differently. I now see how wrong that is, God. Please burn within me, a desire to please You and only You. Let me seek the exaltation that You give, Lord, because that is the only exaltation that really matters. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 07/22/2014; Psalm 76:10

Today's reading: Isaiah 36, 37; Psalm 76; 1 Peter 1

S) "¹⁰ For the wrath of man shall praise You;
With a remnant of wrath You will gird Yourself."

Psalm 76:10 (NASB)

O) Initially, this verse jumped out at me simply because it was hard understand. When we consider the whole context of this Psalm, where Asaph was describing the victory of God, subduing men of war, judging those who did not fear Him, then we can see the term "wrath of man" in two different possible ways. Either this refers to the wrath emanating from man onto someone or something else, or this refers to the wrath man is receiving (sort of claiming ownership that way) from another source. I found one translation that had it "wrath against mankind," but I don't think this is accurate. This chapter doesn't show God's wrath, but His judgement. In this case, it's more like His enemies are made impotent. When you look at vv. 3, 5, and 6, and then read v.10, I think it's a little more apparent that God is reducing the "wrath of man" here, effectively negating it, nullifying it, and ultimately changing it. This verse reminds me of when Saul tracks down David at Ramah, with a wrathful heart (see 1 Samuel 19:18-24). But, when he is found, Saul is overcome by the Holy Spirit, and he falls down prophesying. That seems very much like the wrath of man praising God.
From there we see another mystery, in that God will gird Himself with a remnant of wrath. Like the first portion, we can look back to Israel's history and see an example. The wrath of Joseph's brothers, found Joseph in a string of tough circumstances. And yet, as we read through the rest of the Pentateuch, we see God bring up a remnant from those same wrathful hearts.

A) Freely, I admit this verse remains a bit of a mystery. However, even if this verse only reminds me of the two other stories I mentioned, then it serves at least one purpose. It's important to remember that I was full of wrath before God got ahold of my heart. He changed my wrath to praise, and used the wretched remnant I was to glorify Him. If that was all this verse gave me, that would be enough. However, this verse also reminds me of the vast mystery that God is. We understand in part, as the Holy Spirit reveals, but the fact that God retains some mystery (okay, a lot of mystery), is really a very good thing.

P) Father, Your mysteries intrigue me. May I continue to be drawn to You, by the merits of Your mysterious nature? Please, reveal what You will, because I want to know more. Open my eyes to see, and ears to hear, to better know You day by day. Than You for extinguishing my wrath, Lord. I will praise You forever more for that miraculous grace. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 07/21/2014; 2 Kings 18:26-27

Today's reading: 2 Kings 18, 19; 2 Chronicles 32; James 5

S) "²⁶ Then Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, and Shebnah and Joah, said to Rabshakeh, 'Speak now to your servants in Aramaic, for we understand it; and do not speak with us in Judean in the hearing of the people who are on the wall.' ²⁷ But Rabshakeh said to them, 'Has my master sent me only to your master and to you to speak these words, and not to the men who sit on the wall, doomed to eat their own dung and drink their own urine with you?'"

2 Kings 18:26-27 (NASB)

O) This was the beginning of a siege on Jerusalem. The king of Assyria sent his army against Judah, after conquering Israel, to take them down as well. Rabshakeh, the Assyrian general, was speaking to the Judean officials in the Judean language, specifically so that the soldiers on the wall would hear the taunts and threats. The officials in Judah, Eliakim, Shebnah, and Joah, all spoke Aramaic, and wanted the general to change languages to protect the people that they led. They wanted to avoid conflicting ideas that would plant seeds of doubt, confusion, and chaos in the people they were charged to protect. But, the reaction they saw in v.27 was fairly predictable. After all, it was not an accident that this foreign general was speaking their native language. It was a deliberate, military tactic. When they tried to reason with their enemy, the animosity only became more severe, more foul, more acrimonious.

A) Protecting my children is one of my primary functions as a parent. I use the term, "function," instead of something like, "responsibility," because I am carrying out what God is doing. Ultimately, I serve the function of His responsibility. The LORD is our protection, our refuge, our shield, our strong tower, the rock of our salvation, etc. Even to call myself their father is almost misguided, because God in heaven is our Father. However, the role I play is much more like being a ward for my children. I am raising them on behalf of my Lord. As a matter of fact, it is very much like the role of the three Judean officials in the passage above. I have a responsibility to guard my children against exposure to things they should not observe. It would be foolish of me, however, to try and reason with the opposition. Trying to plead with government is never going to work, because we do not live in a theocratic kingdom. Trying to admonish the entertainment/ad industries will never work, because their goals are never, ever going to align with biblical values. This function of protector, monitor, or gatekeeper, is ultimately on me (and my wife). My children live in the world, in close proximity to things they should not see or hear. I have to be vigilant in realizing that there are dangerous messages everywhere. This is not out of fear (our God is bigger than that, just as He was powerful to save Judah from these threats), but out of love. Eventually, there will be conflicts that cannot be avoided. In the meantime, I will stand between them and the enemies, and I will beware.

P) Father, You are mighty and strong. You are patient and kind. Your grace to overcome my weakness is amazing. Please be gracious with my children, because I know I cannot intercept every word that the enemy spits at them. Some of it, I know to be quite vile. Help me protect them, as I can, and please deal graciously with them when I fail to keep their eyes or ears clean. Thank You for giving us the victory, so that I am never fighting alone. Help me stay vigilant, and to persevere, in this good fight. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 07/20/2014; 2 Chronicles 29:3

Today's reading: 2 Chronicles 29, 30, 31; James 4

S) "³ In the first year of his reign, in the first month, he opened the doors of the house of the Lord and repaired them."

2 Chronicles 29:3 (NASB)

O) This chapter begins the reign of Hezekiah, one of the last righteous kings of Judah. Hezekiah restores the temple, and reforms Judah in the ways of the LORD. What really struck me, though, is how quickly he began. He ascends to the throne, he quickly gets right to work. His action is so swift, as a matter of fact, and God helps things move along so fast, that the people are taken aback. Reading the last verse of the chapter (v.36), the people rejoiced over how quickly everything comes together, by the hand of God.

A) My natural posture is procrastination. It is only by God's grace that this will change. I must do a better job of being mission-focused. I need to realize the purposes God has for me, not just in the big picture, but even on a daily basis. Sure, Hezekiah's reforms were macro, but he had to start somewhere. He started simply by opening the doors of the temple. There are big things I know God wants to do with my life, and I know there are things I can do to work toward those goals, but on a daily basis, it's easy for me to lose focus sometimes. I need to start my days prayerfully considering what God would have for me to do, that day. That is how quickly God wants to move in my life: tomorrow-morning-quick.

P) Father, You are a God of action. You are alive and moving. If I was created in Your image, then I am also to be a man of action. Let the Holy Spirit burn within me, and inspire me to act on the missions You have given me. Help draw my life into focus, morning by morning, moment by moment. Help me remember the macro-vision for my life, while I perform the micro-tasks of getting there. Let Your name be glorified in both, along the way. I pray Your will be done in me and through me and in spite of me. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.