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

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

March 24 + Daily notes & readings

DAY 83 The relationship between Saul and David worsens.  David is now Saul's enemy.   DAILY READINGS 1 Samuel 18-20 & Psalm 83 DAILY NOTES 1 Samuel 18 Saul's delight for David quickly turns.  Saul is jealous of David's success and the fact that everyone else seems to like David more than him. Of course, we have to think about what this evil spirit from the Lord might mean. Saul tries to kill David.  He even devises a plan to have him married into the royal family so that he can create a snare for him. What does it say about David that, even after Saul has tried to kill him, he still finds it an honor to be married to the family? David escapes Saul's traps.  So, from here on out, the text says that Saul considered David an enemy.  Think he knows what it means to love your enemies? 1 Samuel 19 Verse 5 reminds us of David's fight with Goliath.  At this point, David has fought other times.  What makes that ...
Post a Comment
Read more

May 23 + Daily readings & notes

DAY 143 DAILY READINGS Job 12-15 & Psalm 138 DAILY NOTES Job 12 Surely, Job says, his friends don't think they're the only ones with wisdom?  Plus, they are telling him anything that isn't known by all.   Maybe they aren't as smart as they think they are? God holds true wisdom.  "With God are wisdom and strength" (vs. 13). Job 13 Job's friends have taken it upon themselves to speak on behalf of God.  Job considers their representation to be false because they have not considered Job's condition. Job 14 Job's prayer to God continues. We see a bit of the book's larger vision in these verses.  Job recognizes, and wants God to remember, that all humanity shares the same days of life.   Job 15 Eliphaz considers that Job's questioning hinders God and would keep others from knowing God. Psalm 138 The praise of the psalmist is a communal act.   God has been faithful and the psalmist wants to thank God...
Post a Comment
Read more

March 2 + Daily readings & notes

DAY 61 I didn't include any daily notes today.  While they may seem strange, most of the laws we're reading about today are pretty straightforward.   Today's Bible Project video gives a final look at what the book of Deuteronomy is about.   DAILY READINGS Deuteronomy 24-27 & Psalm 61 OTHER OBSERVATIONS Within many of the commands of God given to the Israelites is the notion to remember.  Remember you were slaves to Egypt.  Remember what happened to Miriam.  Remember. The point is to remember what God has done and that the Israelites are now God's own people.  You can almost hear someone ask, "Why do we have to do [fill in the blank]?"  Because we are God's!  Remember it was the Lord who delivered us.  So, this is his way to be holy. Even the psalmist (in Psalm 61) picks up on this.  In speaking of God's protection, he says that God has given him the "heritage of those who fear your name."  ...
Post a Comment
Read more