August 5
Read Isaiah 22 - 26
In Today's Reading:
Prophecy about Jerusalem; Babylon and Tyre to be destroyed; Isaiah glorifies God; God's dominion over Judah
Isaiah's prophecy of Christ was first directed to Judah, then to Israel, then to the surrounding Gentile nations, and finally to all the world: He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces. . . . And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for Him, and He will save us . . . we will be glad and rejoice in His salvation. . . . You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You (Isaiah 25:8-9; 26:3; see I Corinthians 15:54-55; Revelation 21:4).
Just as surely as many of the prophecies were fulfilled in ancient history, we can also expect that the Messiah Jesus will return as Christ the King. As The Mighty God (Jesus Christ), The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6), He will give eternal life to both Jews and Gentiles who have received Him as Lord of their lives.
Jesus has imparted His Holy Spirit to indwell every believer. He has assured us: You are of God, little children, and have overcome them (spirits of Antichrist): because greater is He that is in you, than he (Satan) that is in the world (I John 4:4). We need not live in slavery to Satan and our fleshly passions; we can be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles (schemes, trickery) of the devil (Ephesians 6:10-11).
We are slaves to what we allow to control us, including our thoughts and conduct. From the beginning, all are slaves to sin because we descended from Adam (Romans 5:12). However, our Creator, through Christ, has given us freewill to choose. Once we choose to obey Him, we no longer remain slaves to sin. God's Word provides a simple revealing test: Know you not, that to whom you yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants you are to whom you obey; whether of sin to death, or of obedience to righteousness? But God be thanked, that you were the servants of sin, but you have obeyed from the heart . . . Being then made free from sin, you became the servants of righteousness (Romans 6:16-18).
Christ Portrayed:
By Eliakim, master of Hezekiah's household (Isaiah 22:20-22); what was said of him is true of Christ who is also Master over the household of faith. Christ as a Son over His own house; whose house are we (Hebrews 3:6). It is Christ who opens, and no man shuts; and shuts, and no man opens (Revelation 3:7).
Word Studies:
22:2 stirs = full of shoutings; 23:13 raised up = destroyed; 24:7 mourneth = laments; 24:15 fires = dawning light; 24:19 clean dissolved = split open; 24:23 ancients = elders; 26:7 weigh = make smooth and straight, prepare.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for BP Staff: Letha Hash · Government Official: Rep. Michael Doyle (PA) · Country: Malaysia (21 million) in Southeast Asia · Major languages: Malay and English · All Christian witness to Muslims is illegal · 49% Muslim; 39% Hindu, Buddhist, and Chinese religions; 4% Roman Catholic; 4% animism, magic, and some headhunting; 3% Protestant
Prayer Suggestion: Continue to watch and pray with thanksgiving (Colossians 4:2).
Prayer Suggestion: Continue to watch and pray with thanksgiving (Colossians 4:2).
Optional Reading: Hebrews 13
Memory Verse for the Week: Romans 3:24