07/17/2015; Isaiah 31:3

Today's reading: Isaiah 29, 30, 31; James 1

S) "³ Now the Egyptians are men and not God,
And their horses are flesh and not spirit;
So the LORD will stretch out His hand,
And he who helps will stumble
And he who is helped will fall,
And all of them will come to an end together."

Isaiah 31:3 (NASB)

O) In the middle of laying out prophecy against Israel, Isaiah sort of paused to cut off a notion that would, no doubt, occur to his listeners. During the Exodus, there were a great many people who wanted to return to Egypt. Because following the LORD was proving difficult, they preferred to return to slavery. As the years went on, God's people would make a habit of seeking the aid of Egypt, or looking for refuge there. This was like the earliest form of Stockholm Syndrome, but on a massive scale. And so, while Isaiah is recording this prophecy against God's people, the LORD addresses what will surely come to the surface of their hearts: that Egypt is their solution, if not their salvation. Not only had the LORD already proven His supremacy over Egypt during the flight of His people, He repeatedly showed His willingness to fight physical fights on their behalf, against myriad armies and individuals alike. God had shown them time and time again, that the spiritual was more important, more powerful, than the physical.

A) There are a lot of verses, especially in the Old Testament, that warn against trusting in the help of man, or the power of man. There are many reminders to seek the LORD for aid, and to seek His perspective on the circumstances we face. With the verse above, though, I think things were drawn into a different focus: the end game. See, if I am looking to get help from men (i.e., not from God, not through Christians working for and through God), then what I'm really doing, is aligning myself with the world. I am, in a very real sense, making an alliance with people, apart from God. So, how could I expect my end to be any different from theirs? That is to say, if I am seeking worldly help, then I am actually seeking help from people who are against God, for all intents and purposes. In that light, I should expect that it does not please my Father God, that I am siding with His enemy, because I am (basically) failing to trust my Lord.

P) Father, You deserve all of my devotion. You deserve all of my trust. You have always been faithful, and I can read all about Your faithfulness throughout the Bible. But I don't even have to crack it open. I can plainly see Your faithfulness all over my own history. In light of all Your goodness, I should seek You alone in my time of need. Yet, I confess that my fears have been real, and I have failed to fully trust You. So, if not from the memory and certainty of Your faithfulness, let me place my hope in You alone, because in the end game, I know what happens to anyone who was not faithful to You. Discipline me, Lord. I know that can seem like a scary invitation. But I also know You bring about they best good when Your will is done, even if it hurts in the meantime. I trust You. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 07/16/2015; Isaiah 25:1

Today's reading: Isaiah 25, 26, 27, 28; Hebrews 13

S) "¹ O Lord, You are my God;
I will exalt You, I will give thanks to Your name;
For You have worked wonders,
Plans formed long ago, with perfect faithfulness."

Isaiah 25:1 (NASB)

O) This chapter is, primarily, about God's final judgment. We read of restoration and communion, and God doing away with death and reproach. Isaiah used the words, "this is the LORD for whom we have waited," (v.9). So clearly, Isaiah was prophesying about a time far into the future. And yet, this was also several thousand years into creation already. Where we are today, two and a half millennia later, the opening verse becomes even more poignant. God has worked wonders for thousands of years, but He is not finished. He has done great, and even unimaginable wonders, but that's not even the best part. God has already written the ending, and it is the most wonderful of wonders. He has all of the sovereignty, authority, and power to execute it, just as He has planned it: with perfect faithfulness.

A) Indeed, my response to this is the same as Isaiah wrote, to exalt Him and give thanks to His name! In Christ, I am redeemed and saved. Not only for this, the most wonderful of endings, but that in the meantime I am now a willing and able participant in the gospel story. I am given, not simply the task, but the honor and privilege to share the gospel and make disciples. I will revere Him for what He has done and what He will do. I will serve Him for who He is.

P) Father, even in the tiny sliver of history, the vapor of breath that is my life, You have done such wonderful things. That is to say nothing of what You have done (and I'm sure, will do) within my own lifetime. That speaks nothing of what You have done historically, and will do beyond my time. So, whether focused only on my own testimony, or as I broaden my view, Your works are plainly evident, and they are wonderful. In light of everything You have done, make me a willing vassal in service to You, that I may proclaim Your name to the world, and spread Your gospel, that all who can be saved will be saved. I pray that Your will is done. As I wait for that final day of salvation, I pray that You are glorified through my life. Let me honor You with everything I have. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 07/15/2015; Isaiah 23:17

Today's reading: Isaiah 22, 23, 24; Hebrews 12

S) "¹⁷ It will come about at the end of seventy years that the Lord will visit Tyre. Then she will go back to her harlot’s wages and will play the harlot with all the kingdoms on the face of the earth."

Isaiah 23:17 (NASB)

O) Isaiah gave a devastating prophecy against Tyre, a merchant city of some considerable influence and wickedness. In this chapter, we read that many of the other nations who did business with Tyre, mourned at the loss of Tyre as a trade partner. The punishment seems to be a complete one, as there was no mention of a remnant spared. Isaiah used words like "destroyed" and "no more" to speak of the wrath God was going to execute against this nation. Yet, we see in vv.15-18, that this evil nation would continue. Their destruction would only last seventy years. Not only was their destruction temporary, it also seems to have had little effect on how the city would be run. Apparently, they would return to their same corrupted ways.

A) There are some kingdoms and cities that God chose to destroy forever, but with some, He seems to have lifted His hand from being against them. The detailed reasons for which kingdom or city received which judgment, are nuances that may remain a mystery forever. Certainly, the Bible doesn't disclose details on why God chose Tyre for a temporary destruction. However, it is important for me to remember this prophecy, because it reminds me of a few principles that persist. First, God is sovereign in His will. He may choose one for eternal annihilation, and another for a less permanent end. In either case, that is the right the LORD has, as the Maker of all things. Second, this reminds me that God is not surprised. While Tyre seemed to have been utterly destroyed, God's revelation that it would rise again, protects God's character and name. No one can say God failed, or that He was fooled. He knew what He was doing from the outset. Last, this reminds me that evil will continue to rear it's ugly head, until the final day of the LORD, when Jesus returns to remake the heavens and the earth. If God punishes evil people, and righteously vindicates the victims in the world, that will not solve the problem of sin. When I see atrocities, I should still pray that God's justice is done (according to His will). However, I cannot make the mistake of thinking that if some wicked people are destroyed, even the most wicked of them, that it will solve the problem of evil. At best, it delays the inevitable. This is why the solution to the problem of sin can only be found in Jesus Christ, either as Redeemer or as Judge (that is, when Christ returns to judge the whole earth).

P) Father, I confess and trust that Your will is best. I know that You are sovereign, and Your plans are perfect. I pray first and foremost that Your will is done. Give me patience, Father, that I may wait for Your righteous judgments. In fact, continue to soften my heart, that I would pray for salvation instead of destruction, that when Your perfect judgment is wrought, many will be saved. When I see evil in the world, let my first response be, that the wicked would be redeemed and used for Your glory, but according to Your will. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 07/14/2015; Isaiah 20:2

Today's reading: Isaiah 19, 20, 21; Hebrews 11

S) "² at that time the Lord spoke through Isaiah the son of Amoz, saying, 'Go and loosen the sackcloth from your hips and take your shoes off your feet.' And he did so, going naked and barefoot."

Isaiah 20:2 (NASB)

O) There have been many prophets who had to do physical acts, that were then explained as manifestations of prophecy, in one respect or another. This has to be one of the more difficult examples. Egypt and Cush were going to be conquered by Assyria and, to prove His point about their humiliation, God told Isaiah to be naked and barefoot for three years. In many respects, we might consider that the more serious the warning, the more severe the example. Seeing Isaiah's willingness to undergo such ridicule and scorn, for the sake of delivering this message to these foreigners, it must have caught the attention of Egypt and Cush.

A) This is another prime example of why I have always been just fine, not being a prophet. Seriously, I am just that much more thankful, that everything I need for a life of godliness is found in the Holy Bible (see 2 Peter 1:3), which is the true revelation of God. The Word is the final authority on righteousness, holy living, good works, grace, mercy, peace, and love. It shows the nature of God and His will for His people. The Bible shows us Jesus Christ, the Messiah, from start to finish, revealing God's plan for reconciliation. Through all of that, I am never asked to be barefoot and naked for three years, just for a sermon illustration. Having said all of that, this verse begs the question: Would I be willing to be naked and barefoot for three years, if God did tell me? I reply a hesitant "yes," hesitant only because I might question my own sanity at that point. Reading the end of Hebrews 11 today, I see many extreme things I might have to endure for my faith in Jesus Christ. I suppose theorizing about how it might manifest is pointless. The bottom line is this: I must be prepared to endure anything; any hardship, embarrassment, pain, loss, suffering, scorn, or trouble, even to death, for my faith in Jesus Christ. In that regard, I'm willing to do it all.

P) Father, I am tempted to simply say thank You for sparing me these types of troubles that I have read today. However, I am quickly reminded and convicted about the various places where Your word says to rejoice in my trials for the sake of the Name of Jesus Christ. So, in that respect, I also refrain from too much relief. Let me simply repeat, that I want Your will to be done. That is my most simple, submissive prayer, Lord. Be glorified in my life, however You will for that to happen. Whether I am ever made naked and barefoot, or that I even have to die for my faith, as long as You receive the glory, then I will be happy with it. Thank You for Your grace, in using me so far. Thank You for Your mercy, for when I have been a useless tool in Your hands. I will be ready. Your will be done. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 07/13/2015; Isaiah 16:13-14

Today's reading: Isaiah 15, 16, 17, 18; Hebrews 10

S) "¹³ This is the word which the Lord spoke earlier concerning Moab. ¹⁴ But now the Lord speaks, saying, 'Within three years, as a hired man would count them, the glory of Moab will be degraded along with all his great population, and his remnant will be very small and impotent.'"

Isaiah 16:13-14 (NASB)

O) Isaiah was prophesying about the destruction of Moab, and this last paragraph seems to have been written later, as a post script, of sorts. Like many prophetic writings, especially the apocalyptic sort, This did not seem to have any clear indication about when it was to happen (i.e., vv.1-12). But, then Isaiah was told that it would happen within three years. Just to clarify things further, Isaiah is told that these years are the same as "a hired man would count them," or in other words, the normal and regular year that any common person would expect a year to be. This was going to happen, literally within three years.

A) There are a few reasons I think this is important. First, I must remember that Old Testament prophecies have all (or at least almost all) already taken place. Second, when reading apocalyptic prophecy, including that of the New Testament, I must be careful about setting any expectation of a timeline. While there are places where it appears a time frame is given, it's still not as clear as Isaiah was - so there is some room to interpret when things will be happening, still. The last thing this brings to mind, is the reason Isaiah was told about this prophecy in the first place. The reason a prophet gives a prophecy is, primarily, so that God will be glorified when the things predicted, come to pass. Whether or not people know when those things will happen, is of secondary importance, at best. So, whether or not any of Revelation is already done, or how much of it, or when the rest of it may come to pass - none of that should be of primary concern to me. When Jesus comes back, there will be no denying His glory. When He comes back, the Bible will be shown as true. When he comes back, I will be ready. My readiness has nothing to do with how much time will pass between now and His return. I am ready for my Savior now, and I will remain at the ready.

P) Father, thank You for warnings. You are great in Your patience and compassion and lovingkindness. You give many warnings. However, I don't want to be preoccupied with warnings about future events, which may or may not even affect me directly. I am much more thankful for the warnings of the Holy Spirit within me, warning me of temptation and sin. Please continue to work righteousness in me. Please continue to discipline me to obedience, good works, faith, and love. Let Your will be done, and be glorified in my life. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 07/12/2015; Isaiah 13:11

Today's reading: Isaiah 11, 12, 13, 14; Hebrews 9

S) "¹¹ Thus I will punish the world for its evil
And the wicked for their iniquity;
I will also put an end to the arrogance of the proud
And abase the haughtiness of the ruthless."

Isaiah 13:11 (NASB)

O) This is part of Isaiah's prophecy against Babylon. As with all Old Testament verses, context is everything. So, even though this verse is a literal warning, it has also already come to pass. Because of that, more than anything, this verse is revealing God's character. Specifically, this verse demonstrates God's fierce judgment of arrogant pride, haughtiness, and ruthless men. God's wrath was poured out on Jesus, but His character hasn't changed. He still hates sin, and this verse is a clear reminder of how God sees specific sins.

A) Since arrogance is part of my natural disposition, it's no wonder that this verse stood out to me. I need to remind myself of how clearly the Bible reveals God's view of arrogant pride and haughtiness. In Christ, I am humbled, remembering how helpless and powerless I am to ever pay the penalty for my own sins. In this verse, I am reminded of the furious wrath that I had coming to me, when Jesus ascended the cross. That speaks volumes about the compassion, grace, and love that God has for me. That is what compels me to a life of obedience.

P) Father, I am humbled by Your fierce view of sin. Let this verse be a reminder to me, of how You
see arrogance. When haughty pride is bearing it's nasty head in my heart, let me quickly remember how You view that in my heart. Let me remain submitted to Christ, that I may be found in Him. Thank You for seeing Christ in me. Wash me clean, and continue to humble my heart. Have Your way in shaping me into the man You're calling me to be. Let Your will be done. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.