Read Isaiah 32 – 37
Highlights:
Look!! Sit up, take notice – here comes Jesus (32:1-8,15-20); Don't be complacent (32:9-14); Be wary of Assyria and other nations who can't be trusted and later destroyed. Hear their threats (33:1,7-9; 34:1-17; 36:1-20); The Lord promises victory (33:5-6,21-22; 34:8; 35:4,10; 37:5-7,22-38); Just do as Hezekiah did (37:14-15).
Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; He will come and save you. (Isa. 35:4).
The headlines are filled with terrible, horrible news day after day. We hear of terrorism. There are reports of the stock market going up and down. There is disease, war, tornadoes and hurricanes. The list goes on and on. This can lead to many mixed emotions on the part of the believer. This is due to the fact that there is little good news going on. The worst part of it is, if you listen to the radio, watch television, read the newspaper or look on the internet, it all hits you in the face again and again. The unbeliever wonders what will happen next.
We, as believers, don't have to live in fear of what is to happen next. We don't have to sit around worrying about the world's financial system. We don't have to allow ourselves to let all the situations going on emotionally drain us to the point of depression. We don't have to dread listening to the radio, watching television, reading the newspaper or getting on the internet.
Why doesn't the believer have to worry? This is because simply of one word in today's verse. That word is “your”. God is our God.
Isaiah is speaking to those who belong to God. He is speaking to those to whom salvation belongs. He is speaking to the blood bought saints of God. What does He have to say to us? Isaiah's message from God to us is not to be afraid. If we serve the Lord, He is our protector, our refuge and our defense. So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and His glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him (Isa. 59:19).
What can overcome us if we serve the Lord? There is nothing that can defeat us. We obtained the ultimate victory in life when we accepted the free gift of redemption offered to us through the victory Christ obtained on the cross of Calvary. On the day that gift was accepted, we became the adopted children of God. God is now our Father. What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us (Rom. 8:31)?
This is not to say times of trouble will never come the way of the believer. They certainly will happen. We continue in a daily struggle with our flesh, the world and our enemy the devil. All these are trying to hinder our walk with God.
Fear is one of the devil's greatest weapons. If he can get us to fear, it can bring doubt into our hearts and minds. If we doubt what God has done, is doing and will do, the devil has a foothold in our lives. Don't accept fear into your heart. If we are facing trouble, God is only a prayer away. It's often been said that fear is the opposite of faith.
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind (2 Tim. 1:7).
Thought for Today:
When we are threatened, we can pray in faith for God's help.
Christ Revealed:
As the One who, in judgment, wields the sword of the LORD (Is. 34:6). Out of His mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it He should smite the nations (Rev. 19:15).
Word Studies:
32:2 covert, shelter; tempest, storm; 32:5 liberal, noble; churl, deceitful; 32:7 instruments, schemes; 32:19 low in a low place, completely destroyed; 33:9 hewn down, destroyed.
Prayer Suggestion: God wants to be exalted through you (Ps. 46:10).
Optional Reading: James 2
Memory Verse for the Week: Psalms 89:1
