God's Assurance 08.10.08

Hello My Friend/Guest,

It is Sunday August 10, 2008 and today we are continuing our studies on the book of Isaiah. Please read Chapters 43-46 in your Bible or Click Here to read. Cut & Paste to your browser: biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah%2043-46&version=9

Today we will read and learn about God's care for Israel; the foolsihness of idolatry; the destruction and rebuilding of Jerusalem and the Temple; God's purpose for Cyrus; the power of the Lord and the weakness of idols. Today's message focuses on the importance of realzing that no matter how high the walls of opposition are, God knows how to win the battles of our lives and assures us through His Word that we can endure all affliction.

The Lord's love and mercy in these chapters assures Israel that they will be redeemed, restored, and be His witness. Through Isaiah, God foretold Israel of the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple. However, at that time the nation was still enjoying freedom, prosperity and felt very secure and rejected Isaiah's prophecy. "Let all the nations be gathered together, and let the people be assembled: who among them can declare this, and shew us former things? let them bring forth their witnesses, that they may be justified: or let them hear, and say, It is truth. Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me. I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour. I have declared, and have saved, and I have shewed, when there was no strange god among you: therefore ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, that I am God." (Isaiah 43:9-12)

At that time, Babylon, the capital city of the Chaldean dynasty, was surrounded by massive walls about 300 feet high. The Babylonians were certain that no one could invade their great city. However, Isaiah foretold that a man named Cyrus would conquer Babylon 150 years before it took place. "Thus saith the LORD, thy redeemer, and he that formed thee from the womb, I am the LORD that maketh all things; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth by myself; That frustrateth the tokens of the liars, and maketh diviners mad; that turneth wise men backward, and maketh their knowledge foolish; That confirmeth the word of his servant, and performeth the counsel of his messengers; that saith to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be inhabited; and to the cities of Judah, Ye shall be built, and I will raise up the decayed places thereof: That saith to the deep, Be dry, and I will dry up thy rivers: That saith of Cyrus, He is my shepherd, and shall perform all my pleasure: even saying to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be built; and to the temple, Thy foundation shall be laid." (Isaiah 44:24-28).

Babylon thought itself invincible because of its walls, as well as the great brass gates spanning the Euphrates which ran through its center. However, God declared exactly how the city would be taken by the armies of Cyrus. The river would dry up and the Lord would see that the gates across it would be left unlocked. And that is exactly what happened when Darius, the Mede, under the rule of Cyrus entered the city the same fateful night that King Belshazzar of Babylon saw the handwriting of God on the wall (See Daniel 5:1-31). Only the Spirit of God could have given Isaiah such amazing details about Cyrus at least 150 years before he was born.

Many also see this as Babylon's fall in Revelation. At the end of the kingdom of Judah's 70 years of captivity, this was fulfilled exactly as foretold by the prophet. This fact should dispel all doubt regarding the Lord's loving concern and care for His followers. No prophecy seemed more unlikely to be fulfilled. Yet, all these things happened exactly as Isaiah foretold.

Even though Jerusalem faced destruction they had the assurance of God that through it all they will be safe, protected, and blessed even more as they endure their affliction. All who put their trust and faith in God will receive the same love, protection and blessings that we read here in this wonderful book. "He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved. In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah." (Psalm 62:6-8).

In today's reading Jesus Christ is revealed As the Redeemer (Isaiah 43:1; 44:22-24). Through His death on the cross, Christ has redeemed (bought back) all who trust Him as Savior.

Today's Prayer:

Dear Lord,
Your grace and tender mercies are present in the midst of perplexing situations that develop in our lives and the lives of those whom we love. Your sovereign power working within us takes the bad things that Satan hurls at us and turns them into testimonies of praise and thanksgiving when we seek to glorify You in the midst of suffering. Only a God like You can help us not to be overcome by evil, but to overcome evil with good. As we share in Your sufferings, we also share in Your glory. Be glorifed in our lives; in the good, in the bad, and in the mysterious circumstances of our lives. In Jesus name.....Amen.

Have a great and blessed Lord's day.
God Bless,
Christina

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