SOAP 01/20/2016; Isaiah 27:1

Today's reading: Genesis 49, 50; Psalm 8; Luke, 20*

S) "¹ In that day the Lord will punish Leviathan the fleeing serpent,
With His fierce and great and mighty sword,
Even Leviathan the twisted serpent;
And He will kill the dragon who lives in the sea."

Isaiah 27:1 (NASB)
*because there are already entries for each of these chapters, I also read Isaiah 27

O) It is a little unclear about when "that day" is, exactly. It could be a reference to the final day, when God will judge everything and satan will be permanently defeated. Certainly, the imagery of a dragon has been applied to satan in other parts of the Bible. Obviously, he had the form of a serpent in the Garden, although that was not the Leviathan, per se. On the other hand, it's possible that this Leviathan is representative of some other opponent of God and His people. In the end, the main point of this opening verse is that it actually doesn't matter. The second line makes it clear, whoever this sea monster is, he is no match for the Lord. When God wields His fierce and great and mighty sword, there is no escape.

A) This fierce, great, mighty sword is in the hand of the Lord my God. This is the same God who loves me. He made the decision to redeem me with the blood of Jesus Christ. He fiercely rescued me from my debtor. This same mighty God, He is the same gentle redeemer who lifts me when I fall. I still struggle with sin. There are days when I stumble and the devil, no doubt, is happy about it. But on those days, I need to remember that my fate is determined by the same Lord who wields that fierce and great and mighty sword. That sword is not meant for me.

P) Father, You are powerful, mighty, and sovereign. I know that one day, there will be a final reckoning. Every injustice will be corrected. Every evil will be ended. While that day is still ahead of me, there many days when I still face adversity. I confess that I still fall to sin. In those failures, I also feel a condemnation that I know doesn't actually belong to me. Help me to remember, Lord, that Your wrath is still in store for the devil, but the wrath that was meant for me has already been poured out on Jesus, when He ascended the cross. Your mighty sword will swing, but not at me. That is humbling, and I am filled with thanksgiving for Your power and mercy. Thank You. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.