Skip to main content

April 25 + Daily notes & readings

DAY 115

Image result for prophet isaiah speak to us in smooth things

DAILY READINGS

Isaiah 28-30 & Psalm 115

DAILY NOTES

Isaiah 28

  • The people had trusted in themselves. God assures them he has "one who is mighty and strong."  It's been said that God has a mighty wind that will bring destruction to the people.
  • The Church has found in this chapter (Verse 16) a messianic prophecy that points to Jesus.
Isaiah 29
  • How low will Jerusalem be brought down?  Verse 4 says their voice will come "deep from the earth," and "from the ground like the voice of a ghost."
  • Verses 9-10 remind me of what God told Isaiah to do back in Chapter 6.
Isaiah 30
  • The people had planned to align themselves with Egypt.  They were confident in the protection and aid Pharaoh would give them.  Of course, to turn to Pharaoh meant to turn their back on God.  
  • Not only did they turn from God, the people wanted to make sure the prophets weren't speaking what God told them.  They wanted to hear "smooth things," or flattery.
  • Still, God promises there will be a time when he will turn from his wrath.  Jerusalem will "weep no more."  Notice that God is called Teacher.
    • God will bring judgement, but will relent "at the sound of your cry."
Psalm 115
  • The psalmist knows that idols are worthless.  What is the point of putting our trust in them?  They were made by us.  
  • Our trust belongs to God.  And since we trust God, we praise God!

OTHER OBSERVATIONS

That was some scary reading.  In Chapter 29 Isaiah says that the reason (because) Jerusalem will fall is because they have honored God with their lips while their hearts were far from him.  In other words, they were "going through the motions."  In Chapter 30 the people rebel against God so much that they don't even want the prophets to speak God's truth to them.  They want to know how good they're doing.  They want the prophets to forget what God has told them and tell them things that make them feel good.

Be warned.   Those are both real threats today.  There are congregations being led by people simply playing church.  Truly there is no vision from God.  You can tell by the fruit.  And there are plenty of people who remind preachers all the time how much money they give and how long they've been "around this church."  So, that preacher would do well to think about their message a little more, if you know what I mean.

What is most striking about playing church and not wanting to hear from God is that it is pretty apparent to others.  Isaiah saw it.  Other prophets did as well.  You can, too.

The take away, then, is to be on the look out.  Let's not let our churches be led that way.  And let's not let our hearts be strayed that way either.

Stay blessed...john


Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

April 6 + Daily notes & readings

DAY 96 We've come a long way from wondering in the desert.  Now, after many battles and years of disarray, God's people are living in peace and the Lord has a house built. DAILY READINGS 1 Kings 8-10 & Psalm 96 DAILY NOTES 1 Kings 8 Solomon brings the ark of God to the temple. The temple is dedicated.  Solomon offers a prayer for the occasion. Solomon blesses the people. 1 Kings 9 The highlight of this chapter is that God appears to Solomon again (in a dream?).  The line of David will continue through Solomon, assuming he follows the way of God.  The people must also follow. 1 Kings 10 The Queen of Sheba visits Solomon to see for herself his wisdom.  She is amazed (breathless).  The two crowns exchange gifts. Some of Solomon's furniture is described as a way to emphasize the grandeur of his reign and the temple.  Notice how "the whole earth" wanted to see Solomon (10:24). OTHER OBSERVATIONS Solomon's prayer at...
Post a Comment
Read more

March 27 + Daily notes & readings

DAY 86 Ever notice these books don't end with happily ever afters?   Remember that we are reading an entire story of God told over many years.  The individual books help us follow that story, but we do well in remembering it's still one complete story. Today, we're finishing 1 Samuel.  As we read, we'll see how far Saul has fallen.  Ultimately, what God said would happen, happens. DAILY READINGS 1 Samuel 28-31 & Psalm 86 DAILY NOTES 1 Samuel 28 This chapter is devoted entirely to Saul's encounter with a medium. Notice that Saul had previously expelled mediums and wizards.  This could be a sign of his former faithfulness. Saul's fear overwhelmed him.  He is up against a Philistine army he does not think he can defeat. Since Saul could not hear from God, he seeks a medium to "inquire of her."  What did he want to know (from God or the medium)?  He asks Samuel what he should do.  So, is that asking whether to...
Post a Comment
Read more

April 11 + Daily notes & readings

DAY 101 The great prophet Elijah leaves the scene (He'll appear again later.  Do you remember where?).  Elisha takes his place and immediately begins to act as prophet among the people.   DAILY READINGS 2 Kings 1-3 & Psalm 101 DAILY NOTES 2 Kings 1 King Ahaziah is injured and he wants to know if he'll live.  He seeks input from the prophets of Baal-zebub.  Elijah finds out and interrupts Ahaziah's men from going to the prophets.   Notice that Elijah, that hairy man, is divinely protected by the captain and his men.   Ahazia never hears from the prophets.  Elijah speaks directly to him to tell him that he will surely die. 2 Kings 2 Where did the idea of a whirlwind come from?  Did anyone expect that Elijah would be taken "to heaven by a whirlwind"?  Everyone seems to know that today Elijah will be gone. Elisha's command to the band of prophets seems to indicate his sense of loss but also a vigor...
Post a Comment
Read more