The King of Tyre (and the King of Babylon)

DAY 61
Ezekiel 23:20 - 35:15

Focus Passges
Ezekiel 28:11-19 and Isaiah 14:12-17
(Illustration of the Devil provided for Paradise Lost by Gustave Dore)

The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis
"There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devil. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them."

As a result, we tread lightly on this subject with God's direction and protection.

The Hebrew word for Satan comes from a verb that means adversary, which is one of the ways he is portrayed. The most common Greek word is diabolos which means devil, adversary, or accuser. He is referred to as the tempter (Matt 4:3), Beelzebub (Mark 3:22), enemy (Matt 13:39), evil one (1 John 2:13), adversary (1 Peter 5:8), deceiver (Rev 12:9), great dragon (Rev 12:3), and father of lies (John 8:44). (Christian Theology, Millard Erickson)

On purpose, God chose to reveal only a little information concerning Satan, or the devil, and the fallen angels in the Bible. So far in our reading he has appeared in the Garden of Eden as the serpent and in the book of Job in the presence of God. Although not all theologians agree, a considerable number believe that the King of Tyre in Ezekiel 28:11-19 and the King of Babylon in Isaiah 14:12-17 are references to Satan.

From these two passages we might infer that Satan was created perfect in beauty and wisdom, in the garden of Eden, adorned with precious stones, a guardian cherub angel, walked in God's presence, and blameless from the day he was created. We know that his beauty and wisdom were his downfall. That he was consumed with pride and wanted to take the place of the Most High God. And because of that he and his followers were cast out of heaven.

Satan's fall and mankind's fall aren't much different. They are both the result of pride. Adam and Eve believed that their wisdom was better than God's wisdom. They essentially tried to take God's place by making decisions that were against His will. They two were cast out of God's presence and away from Eden.

And so the same result happens with each person. We in essence believe that we can make decisions better that God. We allow our pride to consume us and attempt to take the throne... at least in our own lives. The sin of pride is the foundation of all other sins. And each of us are cast out of God's presence because of it.

But as we seen through scripture, God created a plan to allow us back in His presence. That while we were still His enemies, He sent His Son to die on a cross for our pride and sin. That whosoever believes in Him would not perish, but have eternal life. That by faith his blood is applied to a believer's life. And the Holy Spirit writes the will of God on our hearts and minds so that we are able to follow Him.

May we take a lesson from the King of Tyre, the King of Babylon. Pride is the fall, God through His Son is the answer and deliverer.

The Soul that Sins shall Die, but ......

DAY 60
Ezekiel 12:21 -23:39

Ezekiel 18:4 "For every living soul belongs to me, the father as well as the son—both alike belong to me. The soul who sins is the one who will die"

Ezekiel 18 is an interesting chapter of the Bible. And it speaks plainly about the consequences of sin. The consequences of sin is death.

Later in verse 20, the writer explains in more detail.

"The soul who sins is the one who will die. The son will not share the guilt of the father, nor will the father share the guilt of the son. The righteousness of the righteous man will be credited to him, and the wickedness of the wicked will be charged against him."

It explains the each person is responsible and accountable for their own sin. While the consequences of our sins may affect future generations, we alone are accountable to God for the sin itself. But we know from Isaiah 64:6 that we are all unclean, and that our righteousness is like filthy rags.

As a result, we have a problem. Our own righteousness is not good enough. We have not been careful to keep all the decrees of God. Therefore, our wickedness will be charged against us. And the soul who sins is the one will die.

As we read further we find the character of God in verses 23.

"Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Sovereign LORD. Rather, am I not pleased when they turn from their ways and live?"

God doesn't take pleasure in the death of any of His children. He would rather see them repent, turn from their ways and live.

In verses 30-32, God even explains what is needed to live.

“Therefore, O house of Israel, I will judge you, each one according to his ways, declares the Sovereign LORD. Repent! Turn away from all your offenses; then sin will not be your downfall. Rid yourselves of all the offenses you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit. Why will you die, O house of Israel? For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign LORD. Repent and live!

A new heart and a new spirit! That is the solution to our problem. And the only one that can give you a new heart and a new spirit is God himself.

Ezekiel 36:26 "A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh."

So we need somebody else's righteousness, a new heart, and a new spirit!
It sounds like we need a gift from God.

Romans 6:23 "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord"

And with that gift comes a righteousness that fulfills God's requirements.

Romans 3:20-24 "But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus

And with that righteousness comes a new heart full of mercy and grace.
And with that righteousness come a new spirit that will be eternal.

The Soul that Sins shall Die, but if the righteousness from God through faith in Jesus is applied then your are justified and given a new heart and a new spirit.

The Watchman and God's Favor

DAY 59
Lamentations 2:1-Ezekiel 12:20

The picture is an illustration of Ezekiel 2:9-10. However, there are two thoughts into today's reading that I would like to point out.

The first is found in Ezekiel 3:17-19.
“Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me. When I say to a wicked man, ‘You will surely die,’ and you do not warn him or speak out to dissuade him from his evil ways in order to save his life, that wicked man will die for his sin, and I will hold you accountable for his blood. But if you do warn the wicked man and he does not turn from his wickedness or from his evil ways, he will die for his sin; but you will have saved yourself."

It's about the responsibility we have (those that have received and heard the word of God) to our neighbors and fellow man. The illustration points to the responsibility we have of sharing the gospel to the world. If we do not share the gospel to those without Christ and warn them about the penalties of sin, then they will die and suffer the penalties. We will also be held accountable. If we share the truth and they choose not to follow, then we are not accountable.

The second point is an illustration of when God withdraws his favor from a nation. It is found in Ezekiel 5:11 "Therefore as surely as I live, declares the Sovereign LORD, because you have defiled my sanctuary with all your vile images and detestable practices, I myself will withdraw my favor; I will not look on you with pity or spare you."

We only have to look at history to see the patterns. You can see all the nations that ruled the Middle East around Jerusalem in 90 seconds. http://mapsofwar.com/ind/imperial-history.html

History continues to repeat itself. Nations have a spiritual revelation that draws them to truth about God. Those nations enjoy spiritual and earthly blessings while they follow God, or as the gospel gets shared. After the nation becomes successful and enjoys abundance, it later becomes complacent, self-centered, and apathetic. Especially concerning the truth about God. Eventually the nation falls into an abundance of sin and no longer follows God. Either a revival or hard times draws the nation back to God, or God removes His blessings and favor.

Has American lost the favor of God? I don't know.

But I can guarantee that we will lose His favor if we continue to fail as the watchman by not speaking out in our nation about Jesus.

On November 2, 2006, John MacArthur gave a message based on Romans 1 called "Abandoned by God" at Southern Seminary. It contains numerous references to the Old Testament. It can be found toward the end of the page of chapel messages. http://www.sbts.edu/resources/Audio_Resources/Chapel_Messages/Fall_2006.aspx

Yesterday's Post: Lamentations

DAY 58
Jeremiah 48:1 - Lamentations 1:22
(Overview of Lamentation)

Lamentations is an interesting book. There are two books in the Bible that deal directly with suffering: Job and Lamentations. Job deals with personal suffering, while Lamentations deals with national suffering.

It consists of five distinct poems corresponding to the five chapters of the book. Just like a few of the Psalms, each of the five poems may be called an alphabetical poem, the first four being acrostic poems. Chapters 1, 2 and 4 each have 22 verses, the first verse beginning with aleph, the second with beth, and so on through the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet. In chapter 3 there are 66 verses, three to each of the letters in turn. In chapter 5 there is no planned sequence to the initial letters of the verses, but there are just 22 verses in the poem all the same, so that it too might rightly be called an alphabetical poem.

If we were to assign themes to the each poem they would be

Jerusalem is deserted and forsaken (1)
Divine judgment and call to repentance (2)
Prophetic lament and hope (3)
Zion past and present (4)
Prayer for divine mercy (5)

There will be times in our lives when we face communal suffering. It could be a family that loses a patriarch or matriarch. A church that suffers a division or disgrace. Other times it may be in a community due to national disasters like tornadoes, hurricanes, or earthquakes. Or due to man-made disasters like the Murrah Building and 9/11. Sometimes its affects a whole nation like during times of war. It's those times where we have community suffering that Lamentations can be a comfort, instead of a difficult book of the Bible to get through.

We can hide into our hearts for times of national suffering the encouraging words found in Lam 3:21-26.

21 Yet this I call to mind
and therefore I have hope:
22 Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
23 They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
24 I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion;
therefore I will wait for him.”
25 The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him,
to the one who seeks him;
26 it is good to wait quietly
for the salvation of the Lord.

The Recabites (Rechabites)

DAY 57
Jeremiah 33:23 - 47:7

In the midst of the judgement and destruction located in Jeremiah, there is a brief interlude about a faithful group of people. An example to you and me concerning a family of obedience and the blessings on that family that God provides.

It is the story of the Recabites in Jeremiah 35.

The Recabites, were descendants of the Kenites (1 Chron 2:55).
The Kenites were descended from Moses father-in-law (Judges 1:16).
Jehonadab (Jonadab), son of Recab, helped Jehu, King of Israel, destroy the prophets and temple of Baal. (2 Kings 10:15-28).
Another son of Recab, Malkijah, helped rebuild the temple walls after the Babylonian captivity (Neh 3:14)

From what little we do have about the Recabites, a definite pattern emerges about their faithfulness. Jeremiah has constantly called Judah back to repentance, to turn from their ways or to face the correction of God. Apparently fear wasn't working. Therefore, the Lord used Jeremiah and the Recabites to show them their shame and disobedience.

Jeremiah 35:13b--16

‘Will you not learn a lesson and obey my words?’ declares the Lord. ‘Jonadab son of Recab ordered his sons not to drink wine and this command has been kept. To this day they do not drink wine, because they obey their forefather's command. But I have spoken to you again and again, yet you have not obeyed me. Again and again I sent all my servants the prophets to you. They said, “Each of you must turn from your wicked ways and reform your actions; do not follow other gods to serve them. Then you will live in the land I have given to you and your fathers.” But you have not paid attention or listened to me. The descendants of Jonadab son of Recab have carried out the command their forefather gave them, but these people have not obeyed me.’

So the Recabites had been more faithful to their forefather's commands than the Israelites had been to God and his prophets. Because the Israelites did not listen, then Judah and Jerusalem would suffer every disaster pronounced against them.

Since the Recabites had been faithful, they would never fail to have someone serve God.

We can learn a little bit from the story of the Recabites. The first is that the Word of God teaches that there are consequences for disobedience. Now, I don't think that is suprising to most people. But, I do believe we forget that there are consequences for our actions. Not only for ourselves, but for our families as well.

The proof of that would be to look at the state of marriage in America. As a nation our warped priorities and sinful actions have affected the state of marriage, so that almost half of all marriages end in divorce. What is worse, is that even for church-goers, the statistics don't lag much farther behind. As we have drifted into a self-centered culture that places more importance on the individual instead of God, we are reaping the consequences of our actions.

The second lesson is this: that there are blessings for obedience. There is an interesting fact about this blessing that is different than many made in the Old Testament. This one happens not to be conditional. Because a family decided to obey their forefathers (who were faithful to God), the descendants of that family would always have someone serve God.

It works in a similar manner today. I know that through God's providence and design, I have had family that were faithful to God. Because of their actions, descendants in their families, inlcuding me, have served God. It may have been the same in your family. The responsibility is yours and mine to continue that blessing, to train our families in obedience to God.

If not, you can start a blessing for generations to come (or until the Lord returns). You could be the Jonadab, son of Recab, for your family. You could sow the seed of faithfulness and obedience to God, which is one of the greatest inheritances you could give.

May we continue the example of the Recabites to a world that looks a lot like Judah.

Hide and Seek; Call and Answer

DAY 56
Jeremiah 23:9 - 33:22

Jeremiah 23:23-24
"Am I only a God nearby", declares the Lord, "and not a God far way?"
"Can anyone hide in secret places so that I cannot see Him?" declares the Lord
"Do not I fill heaven and earth?" declares the Lord.

Sometimes we live our lives like the game hide and seek. We actually go through our days either hiding from God, or acting like He can't see what were doing. I wonder why we do that. As believers, we not only have God the Father watching us, but also Jesus interceding for us, and the Holy Spirit in us to guide our way. But sometimes we sure don't live like it.

It's important to practice the presence of God in our lives. To live each moment with the knowledge of the Holy Spirit in our hearts. To pray without ceasing. Because if we make it a practice to constantly call on God, we are less likely to act like He is far away. And God promises He will answer us.

Jeremiah 33:2-3
"This is what the Lord says, He who made the earth, the Lord who formed it and established it - the Lord is His name: Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know."

It's a ray of hope in the middle of Jeremiah's prophecies of God's judgement and wrath.
It's a glimpe at restoration.
It's a promise that only God can make. Not only will He answer when you call on Him, but He will tell you some amazing things. God would tell you that

I provided a Way for you to enter my presence.

I provided a Life for you, so that you could live eternally.

I provided a Lamb for you, so your sins would be taken away.

I provided Bread for you when you are hungry.

I provided Light for you when it is dark.

I provided the Truth for you amidst all the lies.

I provided a Friend for you when you are lonely.

I provided a High Priest for you, to intercede on your behalf.

I provided a Counselor for you when your discouraged.

I provided a Helper for you when you are in trouble.

And I am the God nearby who sees you. There is no reason to hide. You can call on me and I will answer!

At the Potter's House

DAY 55
Jeremiah 10:14 - 23:8


In Jeremiah 18 and 19 we get to take a trip to the potter's house.

Jeremiah 18:1-6 "The word which came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying: 2 "Arise and go down to the potter's house, and there I will cause you to hear My words." 3 Then I went down to the potter's house, and there he was, making something at the wheel. 4 And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter; so he made it again into another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to make. 5 Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying: 6 "O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter?" says the LORD. "Look, as the clay is in the potter's hand, so are you in My hand, O house of Israel!


We have heard this before in Isaiah.

Isaiah 64:8 But now, O LORD, You are our Father; We are the clay, and You our potter; And all we are the work of Your hand.

There are two things I want to share about the story of the potter.

The first is that God can take cracked, marred, and broken people and form them into someone good and with purpose. He can fix the brokenness. He can fix the loneliness. He can fix the life marred and stained by sin. He can fix the rough edges around the corners.

For whatever reason, sometimes God doesn't fix what we think is broken. I think it is a matter of perspective. Sometimes the things we most want God to take care of, are the things that draw us closer to Him. Maybe the odd shape of our pot is what brought us into a saving knowledge of Jesus, or a deeper dependence on God. I don't know the answers to why the potter fashions the clay in certain ways, but then again I don't have to.

Which brings me to my second point. God is the potter. That brings fear to some, but it should be peace to those that love and follow Him. I would much rather trust in the character of God to form and fashion me the way He pleases than depend on me or anyone else to mold the clay. And if we truly believe that God is holy, loving, and gracious; then the potter's wheel becomes not just a place for correction, but a place of comfort, rest, and beauty.

And when your at the Potter's house, you can sing:

HAVE THINE OWN WAY, LORD! HAVE THINE OWN WAY!
THOU ART THE POTTER, I AM THE CLAY!
MOLD ME AND MAKE ME AFTER THY WILL
WHILE I AM WAITING, YIELDED AND STILL

Broken Cisterns

DAY 54
Isaiah 66:19 - Jeremiah 10:13


This picture of the "broken-hearted prophet" Jeremiah was painted by Michelangelo and is located in the Sistine Chapel.

Jeremiah is also known as the weeping prophet. His message consisted of stern rebuke for the sins of Israel and of warning that divine judgement could not be averted. Through him God sought first to turn the hearts of the people back to Him during the reign of Josiah. And when Israel once again departed from the Lord, Jeremiah was used to secure their co-operation with His purpose in the Captivity, which came not as retributive punishment but as remedial discipline. He constantly wept over the sins of Israel and over the doom that threatened his beloved nation. Jeremiah had cause for weeping if any prophet ever had, but he bore his message faithfully.
(Parts of this summary of Jeremiah is from http://www.nisbett.com/summary/sum-o-21.htm)

Jeremiah 2:13
"My people have committed two sins: They have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water."

The Hebrew people committed two sins: They chose not to serve God and they chose to serve themselves.

It's a flashback to the past with Joshua, "Choose you this day whom you will serve!", when Israel served the Lord. But with each successive king, Israel continued to choose to serve themselves instead of God. And Jeremiah is chosen to proclaim the future discipline and correction they will suffer.

It also points us to the future, when the voice of God would be quiet with His chosen people. For years, they would not hear his guidance. And their attempts to serve themselves became like cisterns that could not hold water. Their faith became dry and parched without the living water God provides.

It also points us to the picture of Jesus with the woman at the well.

John 4:13-14
Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

Notice that the reference to God the Father and Jesus the Son are the same: they are the spring of living water, the spring of eternal life.

We all try to carry water in broken cisterns made from our own design. Attempting to create our own righteousness, our own truth, and sometimes even our own god. In the end we will just be left with an empty bottle because all our attempts are apart from God.

A life without God is an empty cistern, and a house built on shifting sand.

There is only one water fountain that contains the spring of living water. His name is Jesus. And just like the woman at the well, He is waiting for you to ask for a drink.

The One God Esteems

DAY53
Isaiah 52:13 - 66:18

These three paintings by Vincent Van Gogh illustrate the simple humility of someone before God. The names of them are simple, too. Old Man, Head in Hands (Eternity's Gate), Old Man Reading the Bible, and Old Man Kneeling in Prayer

You might even be suprised that someone so tormented by sorrow at one time had great faith and ministered to the poor and needy. "Christ," said van Gogh, "is more of an artist than the artists; he works in the living spirit and the living flesh; he makes men instead of statues."

These simple paintings also illustrate those that are honored by God; those that kneel in prayer, are contrite, and read the word of God.

Isaiah 66:2

"Has not my hand made all these things, and so they came into being? declares the Lord. This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word."

Humility, Contrite, and Trembling in the word.

Not necessarily the picture we have in our minds of soldier in God's army. Too many of us are more like the boldness of Peter, similar to the pride of James and John, and even the arrogance of Saul(Paul). But Jesus performed a mighty work of art in these men and changed their lives. Peter found the humility in feeding Chris'ts sheep. John's contriteness is exemplified in the grace and love in his gospel and epistles. And Paul's trembling came by the loss of his sight.

It's amazing to realize that God is still in the art business, transforming the canvas in each man's heart to the one he esteems. Jesus has shown the example by humbling himself to death on a cross. And the Holy Spirit guides a person to the point where they realize their position before God (humility); are repentant in their heart for their sins (contrite); and learn to grow into maturity through being stirred by the power of His word (trembling).

It should be our prayer that the world sees more humble, contrite, and trembling believers.

It should be our prayer that the world sees more people like the old man of Vincent van Gogh.

Someone humbly kneeling in prayer before God. Someone with their head in their hands because they are repentant and sorrowful for their offenses against God. Someone trembling with the Bible in their hands because the word of God shakes and stirs their soul.

Because those are the ones God esteems.

You are my witnesses!

DAY 52
Isaiah 41:19 - 52:12

No pictures. No commentary. Just a reminder about the grace and power of God from Isaiah 43

1 But now, this is what the Lord says—
he who created you, O Jacob,
he who formed you, O Israel:
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
2 When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.
3 For I am the Lord, your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;

10 “You are my witnesses,” declares the Lord,
“and my servant whom I have chosen,
so that you may know and believe me
and understand that I am he.
Before me no god was formed,
nor will there be one after me.
11 I, even I, am the Lord,
and apart from me there is no savior.
12 I have revealed and saved and proclaimed—
I, and not some foreign god among you.
You are my witnesses,” declares the Lord, “that I am God.
13 Yes, and from ancient days I am he.
No one can deliver out of my hand.
When I act, who can reverse it?”

An Eagle Above the Storm

DAY 51
Isaiah 29:1 - 41:18

Isaiah 40: 28-31

"Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.
He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
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."

Did you know that an eagle knows when a storm is approaching long before it breaks? The eagle will fly to some high spot and wait for the winds to come. When the storm hits, it sets its wings so that the wind will pick it up and lift it above the storm. While the storm rages, below the eagle is soaring above it. The eagle does not escape the storm, it simply uses the storm to lift it higher. It rises on the winds that bring the storm.

When the storms of life come upon us ... and all of us will experience them ... we can rise above them by setting our minds and our belief toward God. The storms do not have to overcome us, we can allow God's power to lift us above them. God enables us to ride the winds of the storm that bring sickness, tragedy, failure, and disappointment into our lives. We can soar above the storm.

Remember, it is not the burdens of life that weigh us down, it is how we handle them.

~ Author Unknown ~

The Hands of God

DAY 50
Isaiah 14:1 - 28:29



Isaiah 14:27
"For the Lord Almighty has purposed, and who can thwart Him? His hand is stretched out, and who can turn it back?"

The hand is a symbol of love and discipline. Most of the times we want the one without the other.

There is an amazing confidence that stems from resting in God's hands. Confidence not in ourselves, but in the character of the one (God) whose hands we are resting in. A peace that comes from realizing that our salvation, and even our existence, ultimately relies on the powerful and merciful hands of God. That doesn't absolve us of our responsibility regarding our actions and attitudes, but it does point us to the one person who did completely rely on the Father's hands.

Luke 23:26. "And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost."

With His last breath and words, Jesus rests in the hands of the Father.

Isn't that what God wants from each one of us; to rest in the hands of the Father with every breath as if it was our last breath. Because in the Father's hands is the safest place to be.

John 10:29 "My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand."

The only sure place,
the only safe place,
the only saving place,
Is in the hands of God.

I would much rather depend on His hands than mine own.

Glimpses at the Future

DAY 49
Isaiah 1:1 - 13:22


There are numerous prophecies concerning the Messiah in Isaiah. One commentator counts as many as 121. As we read through this wonderful book the next few days, I would like just to highlight those for your study later on. In the section we read today, here are some from http://biblia.com/jesusbible/isaiah2.htm


Isaiah Prophecies
The Jews would reject the Messiah. Isaiah 6:9-10a
(John 12:37-40)
The Messiah would teach in parables. Isaiah 6:9-10b
( Matthew 13:13-15)
The Messiah would be born of a virgin. Isaiah 7:14a
(Luke 1:34-35)
The Messiah would be called Immanuel, "God With Us." Isaiah 7:14b
(Matthew 1:21-23, John 12:45)
The Messiah would be God. Isaiah 7:14c
(1 Timothy 3:16)
The Messiah would have wisdom from His childhood. Isaiah 7:15
(Luke 2:40)
The Messiah would be a "Stumbling Stone" for the Jews. Isaiah 8:14
(Matthew 21:43-44)
The Messiah would minister in Galilee. Isaiah 9:1-2a
(Matthew 4:12-17)
The Messiah would be a light to the Gentiles. Isaiah 9:1-2b
(Luke 2:28-32)
The birth of the Messiah. Isaiah 9:6a
(Luke 2:11)
The Messiah would be the Son of God. Isaiah 9:6b
(Luke 1:35)
The Messiah would be both man and God. Isaiah 9:6c
( John 10:30, John 12:45, John 14:7)
The Messiah would be from everlasting. Isaiah 9:6d
(Colossians 1:17)
The Messiah would come from the lineage of Jesse. Isaiah 11:1a
(Luke 3:23-32)
The Messiah would grow up in Nazareth. Isaiah 11:1b
(Matthew 2:21-23)
The Messiah would have the Spirit of God upon Him. Isaiah 11:2a
(Matthew 3:16-17)
The Messiah would have the Spirit of knowledge and wisdom. Isaiah 11:2b
(Matthew 13:54)
The Messiah would have the Spirit of knowledge and fear of God. Isaiah 11:2c
(Matthew 11:27, John 15:10)
The Messiah would have a quick understanding in the fear of the LORD. Isaiah 11:3a
(Luke 2:46-47, Luke 4:31-32, John 14:31)
The Messiah would not judge on the basis of outward appearance. Isaiah 11:3b
(John 2:24-25, John 7:24)
The Messiah would judge the poor with righteousness. Isaiah 11:4
(Mark 12:41-44, Luke 13:30)
The Messiah would come from the lineage of Jesse. Isaiah 11:10a
(Luke 3:23-32)
The Messiah would come for all people. Isaiah 11:10b
(Acts 13:47-48)

External Link: More research on prophecies in Isaiah in today's section.
http://www.messiahrevealed.org/isaiah.html

Meaningless! Meaningless!

DAY 48
Ecclesiastes 3:1 - Song of Solomon 8:14

38 times. That's how often the word "meaningless" is used in Ecclesiastes.

Ecclesiastes 1:2 "Meaningless! Meaningless! says the Teacher. Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless!"

Just to prove it, Solomon tries everything: Wisdom, Pleasure, Work, Folly, Wealth, and Success. And he finds out that we all end up in the same place: the grave. He also finds out that life is a lot more like the movie Groundhog Day than we care to admit. It's the same thing everyday.

Let's be honest with ourselves. Take a look at your week. We get up about the same time. Either go to work, school, or stay at home. We perform the same tasks everyday. We eat the same meals and watch the same television shows. And it makes us tired. Tired of the same old thing.

Ecclesiastes 1:8 "All things are wearisome"

So we decieve ourselves by trying something "new." We go buy a new house, a new car, some clothes, the latest TV or gadget. We even get excited about it, but usually for the wrong reasons. Instead of praising and thanking God, for the resources He has provided to buy our new things; we are showing everyone around us what great things we have. But pretty soon, the newness wears off. And we are tired once again.

Ecclesiastes 1:10 " Is there anything of which one can say, Look! This is something new? It was here already, long ago; it was here before our time."

But before you go get some caffeine to pick yourself up from what appears to be depressing;

Be still and Be honest about your life.

Understand that the things of this world, in and of themselves, are meaningless apart from God. But once we are honest, we will learn that our pursuit of toys, trinkets, jobs, and knowledge are supposed to lead us to the same conclusion. That they are all meaningless, apart from God. The reason is that they all pass away, they are all temporary. And inside our hearts, God has placed a spirit that is eternal. A restless spirit that demands something more.

Ecclesiastes 3:11b "He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end."

Ecclesiastes 3:14 "I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that men will revere Him."

Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 "Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil."

The conclusion of the matter is that if our lives are based on anything other than Jesus Christ, then our lives meaningless and we are chasing after the wind. And when we become weary from all the striving, we will be able to hear God.

And God will say to your restless, tired soul:

There is someone better!

There is someone eternal!

There is someone meaningful!

And that someone wants a relationship with you. God wants to you to realize you do have meaning to Him, in Him, and through Him!

(Some of the commentary on Ecclesiastes is borrowed from the pastor of Village Church, Matt Chandler.)

Two Things I Ask

DAY 47
Proverbs 20:22 - Ecclesiastes 2:26



If there were only two things that you could ask God for, what would they be?

Would it be Health and Wealth? There are a lot of people, including those that call themselves believers that are on that bandwagon. A long healthy life with money to spend. Sounds like the American dream. But what does it profit us if we gain all the wealth in the world and a hundred years to spend it, if we don't love God and each other.

Would it be Power and Knowledge? Many want to be "in the know" and have the authority to make the decisions people follow. Too many times, as Christians, we treat those that don't believe exactly like we do as ignorant and without knowledge. Too many times, we feel like we are the only ones capable of making the "right"decisions. But it doesn't profit me a thing if I am a "know-it-all" who controls other people. if I do not know the salvation from God. God is the only one that is all-knowing and all-powerful.

Would it be Fame and Fortune? The illusion of Hollywood pervades our culture. The movies and television portray life much differently than it actually is. Our news, whether from newspapers, radio, or television, give more emphasis to those that are popular than they do to what is noble and right. But it doesn't profit me a thing to be the most famous person in the world, if I will spend eternity apart from God.

So what would be the two things you can ask from God?

Proverbs 30:7-9
7 “Two things I ask of you, O Lord;
do not refuse me before I die:
8 Keep falsehood and lies far from me;
give me neither poverty nor riches,
but give me only my daily bread.
9 Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you
and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’
Or I may become poor and steal,
and so dishonor the name of my God."

The widsom from Proverbs asked for two things: Truth and Provision.

May God grant us those portions of daily truth and daily bread that make us:

Rely wholeheartedly on the Lord,
Learn to live in the moment,
Be grateful for what we have,
Know what sacrifice is by sharing,
Discern what falsehood is, and
Make us experience the loving hand of a mighty God and the unending passion of sharing that love to others.


External Link: What do you think Rick Hoyt asked for? Eighty-five times Dick Hoyt has pushed his disabled son, Rick, 26.2 miles in Marathons. Eight times he's not only pushed him 26.2 miles in a Wheelchair but also towed him 2.4 miles in a dinghy while swimming and Pedaled him 112 miles in a seat on the handlebars–all in the same day.
“The thing I'd most like,'' Rick types, “is that my dad sit in the chair and I push him once.''
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4B-r8KJhlE

Best Laid Plans

DAY 46
Proverbs 7:1 - 20:21

Everyone has heard the phrase, "the best laid plans go to waste." The Scottish poet Robert Burns introduced it his poem To A Mouse, "The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry."

We have all experienced this problem.

We like to make plans for everything. These plans are our dreams and the deep desires of our heart. They focus on very personal things like careers, marriage, and children. In our families we make plans for vacations, weekends, and get-togethers. Even in our churches, we have plans for activities, outreach, discipleship, and buildings.

Our plans don't always go exactly like we think they should. And when they don't, we often get discouraged, frustrated, or angry. Sometimes, we are even heartbroken.

But there is some consolation from scripture.

Proverbs 19:21 "Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails."

To be completely honest, I look back on my life and all the plans that I had about ten years ago; I am extremely glad that nothing turned out as I planned.

I am not in the career I had planned.

I am not in state I had planned.

I do not have the friends I had planned.

I do not have the health I had planned.

I have something much better, I have what God has planned.

I have a family, a church, friends, a job, and mission field that only God could have planned. And it fulfills His purpose.

There were some plans made about 2000 years ago by the Sanhedrin, Judas Iscariot, Pontius Pilate, Herod, and a mob of followers. Their plan was to put an end to the teachings and life of Jesus. But even in their plans, God had a purpose that prevailed. It is found in Acts 2.

(22-24) “Men of Israel, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. This man was handed over to you by God's set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men,* put him to death by nailing him to the cross. 24 But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him."

(32-33) "God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact. Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear."

(36)“Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.”

The next time your plans don't go exactly as you think they should, remember that God's ultimate purpose will always prevail: the saving of many lives and and conforming His sheep to the image of His son.

Bind Them Around Your Neck

DAY 45
Psalms 135:1 - Proverbs 6:35



Have you ever wondered why we use the term, "He lost it" when a person gets extremely upset at someone and goes into a tirade. Have you ever been angry at someone or say something completely mean to a person; then wonder "where did that come from"? Do you ever wonder why sometimes our actions are extremely self-serving?

Proverbs is full of wisdom that is extremely practical to our daily living. One of those is from Proverbs 3:3-4.

NKJV
3 Let not mercy and truth forsake you;
Bind them around your neck,
Write them on the tablet of your heart,
4 And so find favor and high esteem
In the sight of God and man.

NIV
3 Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
bind them around your neck,
write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 Then you will win favor and a good name
in the sight of God and man.

In Hebrew, the words are "checed" and "emeth"

Checed means a zeal towards someone with love, kindness and benevolence. It can also mean the grace, mercy, or love God bestows on His children.
Emeth can mean peace (as in security and stability) , faithfulness, or truth.

No matter which interpretation you want to use, the guidance from scripture is the same.

"Bind them around your neck"

ID tages are used in the military to correctly identify someone. That contain personal information about who you are.

"Mercy" and "Truth" should identify us as believers in Jesus. We do not deserve the grace, mercy, and love God has given to us, yet He still gives them. We are expected to show the same to those that God has created, even when they may not deserve it.

Luke 6:32-36 “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even ‘sinners’ love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even ‘sinners’ do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even ‘sinners’ lend to ‘sinners,’ expecting to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful."

The illustration of something around our neck places it in close proximity to our mouth.

"Mercy" and "Truth" should also guard our speech and the way we talk with others.

Colossians 4:6 "Let your speech always be with grace (mercy), seasoned with salt (truth), that you may know how you ought to answer each one."

"Write them on the tablet of your heart"

From scripture and experience, we know that our own hearts are deceitful. We also know that our actions and words come from the conditions of our heart.

"Mercy" and "Truth" should dwell in the heart.
Luke 6:45 "The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks."

The promise is that when "Mercy" and "Truth" are identify us as believers, guards our speech, and dwells in our hearts, we will find the favor and understanding of God and man.

And if mercy and truth are bound around our necks and written on the tablets of our hearts and we never leave them; we won't have those moments where we "lose it" or wonder "where did that come from?"

The Half Way Hallelujah!!

DAY 44
Psalms 109:1 -134:3


The journey through the Bible has come a long way. We are now at the Half Way Hallelujah Point! So let's praise God for His prescence.

Hallelujah, Praise the Lord! for all that He has revealed to us.

Hallelujah, Praise the Lord! for His covenant of love that has been from the beginning!

Hallelujah, Praise the Lord! for the foreshadowing of Christ that we have witnessed!

Hallelujah, Praise the Lord! Who is Creator, Sustainer, Provider, Comforter, and Deliverer!

At the half way point, I want to congratulate you on reading through the Bible this far. I also want to encourage to continue the journey.

For today, I will leave you with Psalms 121.

1I will lift up my eyes to the hills--
From whence comes my help?
2 My help comes from the Lord,
Who made heaven and earth.
3 He will not allow your foot to be moved;
He who keeps you will not slumber.
4 Behold, He who keeps Israel
Shall neither slumber nor sleep.
5 The Lord is your keeper;
The Lord is your shade at your right hand.
6 The sun shall not strike you by day,
Nor the moon by night.
7 The Lord shall preserve you from all evil;
He shall preserve your soul.
8 The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in
From this time forth, and even forevermore.

Psalm 100

DAY 43
Psalms 89:14 - 108:13

Many who grew up in the church will notice Psalms 100. As a child, you may have memorized it.

1Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands!
2 Serve the Lord with gladness;
Come before His presence with singing.
3 Know that the Lord, He is God;
It is He who has made us, and *not we ourselves;
We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.
4 Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,
And into His courts with praise.
Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.
5 For the Lord is good;
His mercy is everlasting,
And His truth endures to all generations.

You may also recognize the praise song I Will Enter His Gates by Gwen R. Shaw

I will enter His gates
With thanksgiving in my heart
I will enter His courts with praise
I will say this is the day
That the Lord has made
I will rejoice for He has made me glad
He has made me glad
He has made me glad
I will rejoice for He has made me glad

It is a beautiful Psalm that reminds us of our worship to the Lord.

It reminds us of that "The Lord is God."

It reminds us of God as Creator since "It is He who made us."

It reminds us of God as Sustainer, Protector and Provider since "we are His people, the sheep of His pasture."

It reminds us of the character of God. "For the Lord is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations."

Because of "Who God is!" and that "We are His!" we have the privilege of knowing Him. As we come to experience His grace, His mercy, and His love; JOY and GLADNESS fill our soul. So much that it overflows. And we cannot help but worship in His presence with praise and thanksgiving.

SHOUT FOR JOY TO THE LORD

External Link: Charles Spurgeon's Treasury of David on Psalms 100
http://www.spurgeon.org/treasury/ps100.htm

Day Off

DAY 42
Psalms 69:22 - 89:13

Feel free to share your thoughts on today's Psalms reading!