August 5
Read Isaiah 22:1
In Today's
Prophecy about
Isaiah's prophecy of Christ was first directed to
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 Conquering King. As The Mighty God (Jesus Christ), The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6), He gives eternal life to both Jews and Gentiles who receive 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; Christians are urged to 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 who chose to disobey God and consequently became a sinner as God had warned him: You shall surely die (Genesis 2:17, see Romans 5:12). However, our Creator has given us the opportunity and responsibility to choose between obeying Him and becoming born again (John 3:3,5) (no longer remaining a slave to sin), or, ignore His Word and remain a candidate for eternal death.
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 that form of doctrine (teaching) that has delivered you. 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 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 The International Shortwave Radio Broadcast sponsored by Thursday Morning Prayer · Government Official: Rep. Michael Doyle (PA) · Country:
Optional
Memory Verse for the Week: 1 Thessalonians 4:18