SOAP 08/02/2014; 2 Chronicles 33:10-11

Today's reading: 2 Kings 21; 2 Chronicles 33; John 4

S) "¹⁰ The Lord spoke to Manasseh and his people, but they paid no attention. ¹¹ Therefore the Lord brought the commanders of the army of the king of Assyria against them, and they captured Manasseh with hooks, bound him with bronze chains and took him to Babylon."

2 Chronicles 33:10-11 (NASB)

O) This isn't exactly a new concept, but the simplicity of v.10 made the principle very clear. I included v.11 because it details the consequences from not paying attention. The eventual silver lining to this storm cloud, is that this captivity drove Manasseh back to the LORD. In the end, he turned his heart back to God in humility. How much better had it been, if he had simply paid attention in the first place? This sends a very concise, clear message that the LORD will not be ignored.

A) From time to time, I wonder (even worry, if you will) if I am paying attention to what the LORD is speaking to me. Verse 10, and verses like it, really help me focus on the importance of prayer before (and while) I read the Bible. I want to be sure that I am receiving what God would speak to me in those moments and throughout. I believe that God can and will still speak directly to His children, but that drives home the importance of studying Scripture, so that anything I "sense" God is trying to tell me, can be validated and measured by His holy written Word. In the end, I pray God keeps me humble, and close to Him, whatever the cost. I hope and believe it won't come to such a captivity as Manasseh endured, but if it is required, then God's will be done.

P) Father, Your ways are perfect and Your plan is blessed. I don't simply want You to bless my life, and my desires, and my plans - because those will always be less, those will always be flawed, those will always pale in comparison to the glory of Your will. And that is my concern: I want You to be glorified in my life, in my desires, in the plan I am carrying out. So God, let me pay attention to You. Draw my focus to Your ways, Your will, whatever the cost. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 08/01/2014; Psalm 62:5-6

Today's reading: Isaiah 65, 66; Psalm 62; John 3

S) "⁵ My soul, wait in silence for God only,
For my hope is from Him.
⁶ He only is my rock and my salvation,
My stronghold; I shall not be shaken."

Psalm 62:5-6 (NASB)

O) These lines echo the first lines of the psalm, which really drives home the point. This is also not a totally unique declaration, and in a lot of ways sounds a lot like many other Psalms. However, the word that caught my attention, was David's use of "only." Again, these aren't unique concepts, that David declares a devotion solely to the LORD, but the phrasing really makes that element stand out in this song. I think it's also worth mentioning, that when David said, "My soul, wait in silence," I do not at all think he meant to not pray. He was putting his soul at ease, at rest, by remembering the origin of his hope. In that he took refuge, and would not be shaken.

A) Like many psalms that come across really as prayers, the application is for me to directly quote these verses, believe them for myself. I need to adopt the same quiet patience that David declared, as he waited for God to be his hope, rock, salvation, and stronghold. As I wait, my soul in silence, I declare that I will not be shaken.

P) Father, You only are my rock and salvation. You are my stronghold. There are many storms in my life, present and impending. Help me to quiet my soul, to wait for You only. I will not be shaken. I declare again, Father God, You only are my rock and salvation. You are my stronghold. There are many storms in my life, present and impending. Help me to quiet my sol, to wait for You only. I will not be shaken. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 07/31/2014; Isaiah 63:16

Today's reading: Isaiah 63, 64; Psalm 107; John 2

S) "¹⁶ For You are our Father, though Abraham does not know us
And Israel does not recognize us.
You, O Lord, are our Father,
Our Redeemer from of old is Your name."

Isaiah 63:16 (NASB)

O) For many years (and even after this), the Israelites put a lot of stock in their genealogies. The promises that Abraham received from the LORD shaped their identity as the LORD's people. But, what Isaiah pointed out here, is that there is a greater lineage to claim. There is a greater Father in Heaven. Abraham and Isaac could not really bless them directly, but their Father God could.

A) For a long time I felt very disconnected from my dad. At one time, I briefly considered whether or not I might even go so far as to change my last name. This verse reminds me, though, that I don't have to cut off my earthly line in order to live as God being my Father. He saves now, He leads now, He teaches now - but that isn't to say that I am not a Cannelora. My dad may not recognize me, but that doesn't mean he's not my dad. What it means, is that I embrace my Father God as my true identity and salvation.

P) Father, Father, Father, thank You for adopting me. I have a whole new identity, legacy, and destiny, because You called me a son, a fellow heir in Christ. Help me to recognize that my earthly bloodline has a part in who I am, but it doesn't make me who I am. My dad may not recognize me as his own, the more I look like You. Claim me as Your own, forever. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 07/30/2014; Isaiah 61:10

Today's reading: Isaiah 60, 61, 62; John 1

S) "¹⁰ I will rejoice greatly in the Lord,
My soul will exult in my God;
For He has clothed me with garments of salvation,
He has wrapped me with a robe of righteousness,
As a bridegroom decks himself with a garland,
And as a bride adorns herself with her jewels."

Isaiah 61:10 (NASB)

O) This chapter is a proclamation of the LORD's salvation, with this verse coming near the end as a summary of sorts. The imagery is a beautiful reminder that both salvation and righteousness are gracious gifts given to the child of God. The concept is taken further, when we read the last sentence, seeing some purpose begin to be described. God gives us salvation and righteousness because there is a beautiful union about to take place between the individual and the LORD, much like a wedding union.

A) These two allegories are not unique to Isaiah's initial audience. We see the themes repeated through many of Jesus's parables in the New Testament (see Luke 15:22 and Matthew 25:1-12). So, this is another instance where God's character is proven to have not changed, because this has always been His heart toward us. What really struck me about this passage, is that unchanging posture God has taken with me. So, my reaction is the same as Isaiah. I will rejoice greatly in the LORD, and my soul will exult in my God - regardless of what else changes in my life - because His posture toward me is the same as it always has been. He is still getting me ready for our perfect union.

P) Father, let this resonate within me today. In the face of life's disappointments, trials, and storms, You are unchanging. You are a rock in the middle of storms, and I will rest upon You. Regardless of anything else that happens to me, I know that You are great in compassion and lovingkindness, slow to anger, merciful and just, powerful and faithful. Thank You God, for saving me, clothing me in salvation, wrapping me in righteousness. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 07/29/2014; Isaiah 58:6-7

Today's reading: Isaiah 57, 58, 59; Psalm 103; 2 Peter 3

S) "⁶ Is this not the fast which I choose,
To loosen the bonds of wickedness,
To undo the bands of the yoke,
And to let the oppressed go free
And break every yoke?
⁷ Is it not to divide your bread with the hungry
And bring the homeless poor into the house;
When you see the naked, to cover him;
And not to hide yourself from your own flesh?"

Isaiah 57:6-7 (NASB)

O) God is rebuking His people with this passage. He recounts the complaints of the people, who ask why their fasting is not working (see vv.2-3). He explains that the people have wrong motives, fasting for their own evil gain. (see vv.4-5). In the above verses, He reminds His people that fasting is about two main things: restoring righteousness and benefiting others. We are still called to fast, but if we are fasting by rote, as the Pharisees were (see Mark 2:18-20), then it isn't simply an ineffective religious practice, it is actually an evil affront to the LORD.

A) The key to keeping this clear, is to remember that fasting is real, effective, actual spiritual warfare. Fasting should always be done purposefully. That is not to say that regular fasting is wrong. On the contrary, if I am thinking of this correctly (as spiritual warfare), then regular fasting should absolutely be a part of my life (and in fact, I will today, implement this principle). I must be careful, however, that the fasting is not a hollow religious rite, but a hallowed religious fight.

P) Father, thank You for equipping me to do Your work. You have empowered me through the Holy Spirit, that I can be part of Your warfare. I have been negligent in this area; I know that now. Please forgive me. Direct me now, LORD, to make a fasting battle plan. With the regularity, help me stay focused on the purpose behind fasting. Remind me of the verses here in Isaiah, that I remember my fasting is about bringing Your kingdom to prominence in my life and the lives of people around me. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 07/28/2014; Isaiah 55:8-9

Today's reading: Isaiah 53, 54, 55, 56; 2 Peter 2

S) "^8 'For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways,' declares the Lord.
^9 'For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways
And My thoughts than your thoughts.'"

Isaiah 55:8-9 (NASB)

O) The context of these verses are in light of God's free offer of mercy. When we focus only on soteriology, and we try to apply human morality to it, it just makes no sense. If there was a criminal who was found guilty of murder, and there was a Supreme Court judge who decided to apply the death penalty to his own son, instead of the criminal, there would be absolute pandemonium in this country. Even if the judge's son volunteered himself for the substitution, the media would explode and people would be livid. The LORD's ways are just not are ways, and how He thinks of things is not how we think of things. This is in context, but this is still true in a broader sense. The difference between God and us isn't even actually measurable. The use of the phrase "heavens are higher than the earth," is essentially hyperbole. This isn't a measurable distance. It's reminiscent of measuring the east to the west (see Psalm 103:12).

A) Humble myself. That seems to be the most concise way to put it. In context, this verse is a wonderful encouragement. When I have sinned, and my shame is echoing the accusations of satan, this verse is a reminder that my natural penchant for self-abasement is not how the LORD sees me, because He's just not like me. Furthermore, for me personally, this concept is also almost a warning. I cannot assume anything about God based on my own reasoning. I need to rely fully on Scripture to teach me the character of God.

P) Father, these verses remind me why You alone are worthy of my worship. You are wholly unique to humanity, completely holy. When I fail, when I sin, remind me of this verse and the context with which it came, that Your mercy is a free offering to those who will receive it. Thank You for the grace and mercy You have shown me, and will show me. Please continue to teach me Your ways, by Your word, and according to Your will. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 07/27/2014; Isaiah 51:1

Today's reading: Isaiah 50, 51, 52; Psalm 92; 2 Peter 1

S) "¹ Listen to me, you who pursue righteousness,
Who seek the Lord:
Look to the rock from which you were hewn
And to the quarry from which you were dug."

Isaiah 51:1 (NASB)

O) When Isaiah wrote this, he referred back to Abraham and Sarah. He was reminding the people of God to look at the examples of the past, to be reminded of the history from which they came, specifically, how God always had a purpose and a plan for them. Isaiah reminded the people that Abraham and Sarah had a wonderful promise, an epic promise, but it was not an easy promise. The fulfillment of that promise came with great pains, but the promise was fulfilled, because God is faithful. Isaiah reminded the people that they were cut from the same cloth, and they must persevere just like their father Abraham.

A) Unlike the Israelites, I do not necessarily have a great ancestry to hold in high esteem. There are some bright spots, but if there is a great forefather in my lineage, I do not know him. What I do have, though, are spiritual fathers. The men (and women) who raised me to know God, give me a legacy to remember. I look to those who showed me what it means to persevere in seeking the LORD. I am thankful for those people, and as I seek Him as well, I remember the spiritual quarry from which I was dug. As I persevere and remain faithful to seeking God, as I raise my own family, I keep in mind that they will grow up looking at me, studying my life. I pray that they will see my perseverance, even when (or especially when) that perseverance comes with pain.

P) Father, I proclaim that You are all I need. Even without individuals to remember, to be a legacy I receive in example of faithfulness to You, I still have You as my Father God. Thank You for the grace, though, to know men and women who have taught me well. Open my eyes as I do look back upon my own family line, to see Your faithfulness and grace among my own flesh and blood. As I move forward, through the trials of my own life, please help me be aware of the legacy I am building and leaving for my own children. Let me rest in Your grace, trust in Your faithfulness, and hope in Your salvation forever more. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.