July 30 - The Ultimate Confirmation

 Read today’s texts first: Isaiah 60-62; John 1

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When Jesus declares a prophecy applies to Him then proves it is true, that is the ultimate confirmation! 

We’ve been looking at numerous messianic prophesies sprinkled throughout the book of Isaiah. Some are more obscure, like the description of Christ’s crucifixion (50:6), woven within another narrative. Some are obvious, clearly separated by the surrounding context, like all of chapter 53. But the most compelling prophecies are the ones Jesus Himself confirms. When He stood up in His hometown synagogue, He asked for the Isaiah scroll. When He found Isaiah 61, He read the first two verses:

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor (61:1,2).  Then He says Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing! That should be the ultimate confirmation.

Ironically, it wasn’t enough for the citizens of Nazareth. After all, they watched Jesus grow up as a normal kid in a normal family. When Jesus declared that Isaiah was talking about Him, basically proclaiming Himself as the Messiah, His friends and neighbours said, “isn’t this Joseph’s son?” Things escalated to the point they tried to push Him off a cliff (so much for supporting your hometown hero). Then, as further proof He was who Isaiah said He was, Jesus walks through the mob unscathed and sets out to fulfill every word of the prophecy!

“Lord, You were sent with a purpose determined before the world was formed. Thank You that I was included in Your eternal plans!”

July 29 - Gracious and Compassionate

 Read today’s texts first: Isaiah 57-59; Psalms 103; 2 Peter 3

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God’s threats of wrath and judgment are
counterbalanced by His promises of grace! 

When we read through the books of history and prophecy it is easy to see God’s wrath and judgment. One family member at Buchanan challenged my beliefs with an article questioning God’s laws. It was written by a Rabbi, of all people, who dismissed some Bible verses because they seem judgmental in our day of political correctness.  But our readings today emphasize the counterbalancing theme of God’s grace.

I will not accuse forever, nor will I always be angry....I have seen his ways, but I will heal him; I will guide him and restore comfort to him (57:16a,18).

The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities (103:8-10).

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance (3:9).

We saw it yesterday with the promises of a suffering Saviour. God couldn’t be more gracious and compassionate. But He is also just. There are very real consequences to rebellion. Peter warns us that we have the freedom to walk away from God’s amazing grace, and in doing so actually fall from our secure position (3:17). So much for those who believe “once saved always saved.”

“Lord, where would we be without Your grace. Thank You for loving me when I was unlovable, for forgiving me when my sins were unforgivable, and for extending to me mercy when I deserved Your judgment!”

July 28 - Prophetic Proof Positive

 Read today’s texts first: Isaiah 53-56; 2 Peter 2

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Pride is public enemy #1
and if we don’t deal with it, God will!

I’ve learned over the years not to rush through the prophetic books of the Bible, dismissing them as old news, no longer relevant to our day or our lives. For me, at least two passages in today’s readings dispel that notion.

First is the incredible description of the suffering Saviour, found in chapter 53. This passage, written 700 years before Jesus was born on earth, provides some of the most irrefutable proof that the Bible is God’s Word and that Jesus was indeed the long-awaited Messiah:

• Despised and rejected (3)
• Bore our infirmities (4)
• Considered smitten by God (4)
• Wounded for our transgressions (5)
• We are healed by his stripes (5)
• He was flogged (5)
• Silent before His accusers (7)
• Died for our sins (8)
• Died with the wicked (9)
• Buried with the rich (9)
• Lived a sinless life (9)
• Offered for our sin (10)
• Justified many (11)
• Numbered with transgressors (12)
• Made intercession for sinners (12)

The second passage that convinces me of the importance of prophecy is found in chapter 54. It is far more subjective and intensely personal for Jan and me. We are at a wonderful stage of life now when we have more time to spend with our two adult children and three precocious grand children.  But there was a time when we thought we wouldn’t be able to have any children of our own.

Late December 1981, as we were fasting and praying about whether to adopt, God pointed out Isaiah 54:1, His promise of offspring for the “barren woman,” to Jan and to me separately. We then picked that same verse from the offering plate during a New Year’s Eve service a week later. It is not a typical promise normally found in the Daily Bread promise cards used that night. It applies to Israel and seemed far out of context for our situation, but that week God showed us through a miraculous chain of events (involving a random friend, a waiting room and The National Enquirer!) what was wrong medically and how to fix the problem. Our two beautiful children and three incredible grand kids are the result of God’s prophetic words spoken directly into our hearts.

“Lord, for me there is no doubt Your Words are true, whether they are written in the pages of Scripture or spoken directly to us by Your Spirit. The gift of our children and grandkids are proof positive!”

July 27 - A Sure Word of Prophecy

 Read today’s texts first: Isaiah 50-52; Psalms 92; 2 Peter 1

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God’s prophecies are history recorded in advance!

It is no coincidence that our NT reading explains the significance of biblical prophecy, setting up the incredible promises of the coming Messiah recorded in Isaiah: And we have the word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts (1:19). That Morning Star he refers to is none other than Jesus, the most remarkable hero of history (Rev. 22:16). He is remarkable because He fulfilled over 300 minutely detailed prophecies written centuries before He arrived on planet earth. But what is even more remarkable is the unpredictability of these predictions.

Isaiah is addressing nations who pride themselves in their power. They puff themselves up, posturing like peacocks trying to intimidate each other. But God puts them in their place with His promises: Listen to me, my people; hear me, my nation: The law will go out from me; my justice will become a light to the nations. My righteousness draws near speedily, my salvation is on the way (51:4,5a).

What is startling is the Promised One who will bring salvation to our world. Everyone expects a powerful leader, a great military strategist, the conquering hero. Instead, what is promised is a type of antihero, not because He is flawed, but because He comes as the suffering servant, the Saviour who lays down His life. His apparent defeat foils everyone, including His arch enemy, Satan, and his demonic hordes.

Isaiah, in describing himself, reaches ahead in time (a common element in biblical prophecy) with a description of Jesus: I offered my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard; I did not hide my face from mocking and spitting (50:6). We know these are messianic predictions because they applied to Jesus at His crucifixion, not to Isaiah (like the descriptions from the psalmist in Ps. 22).

Then, Isaiah sets up one of the most detailed descriptions of the suffering Saviour, chapter 53 (tomorrow’s reading) with this preamble: See, my servant will act wisely; he will be raised and lifted up and highly exalted. Just as there were many who were appalled at him - his appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any man and his form marred beyond human likeness (52:13,14). 

“Lord, this description of Your death, written 700 years before it happens, convinces me of two things. First, the Bible is undoubtedly Your Word and I love it! Second, what You did for me was the greatest act of love imaginable and I love You!”

July 26 - Humble Yourselves

 Read today’s texts first: Isaiah 46-49; 1 Peter 5

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Pride is public enemy #1
and if we don’t deal with it, God will!

Even though all of Scripture is God-breathed (2 Tim. 3:16), He still chose particular human authors to write these inspired thoughts. He also allowed for His words to be conveyed through their own unique style and personality. I think of these things whenever I read Peter’s letters, just because we know so much about his brash behaviour. Throughout his internship with Jesus, Peter suffered from a chronic case of “foot in mouth” disease.

Peter matured quickly after the death of Jesus. His arrogance was crushed under the pressure of persecution the night of Christ’s crucifixion. It looked like all the progress he had made in walking with Jesus for at least two years was gone, wiped out in one moment of testing. He was back to his old ways, cursing like a Galilean fisherman, denying he even met Jesus. But after a couple of days in deep remorse, a tender time of restoration with His risen Lord, and a dramatic baptism with the Holy Spirit, the new Peter fully emerges. He quickly rises to prominence in the formation of the early church.

So when he speaks through this letter to other church leaders about humility, from his own testimony of dramatic life change, inspired by the Holy Spirit, we need to pay attention: All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time (5:5b,6).

God is saying, and Peter is saying, if you don’t humble yourselves, God will. Pride keeps us from God. Apart from Him we can do nothing (John 15:5); with Him we can do all things (Phil. 4:13). It’s really quite simple - pride is public enemy #1, and if we don’t deal with it, God will.

That’s exactly what Isaiah is saying to Judah, Israel, and Babylon as well: See, I have refined you, though not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction. For my own sake, for my own sake, I do this. How can I let myself be defamed? I will not yield my glory to another (48:10,11).

“Lord, thank You that I do have the option of humbling myself, because I know what it’s like to be humbled by You. This morning I dress myself with well-deserved humility toward You and everyone I meet today!”

July 25 - “Idol” Talk

 Read today’s texts first: Isaiah 43-45; 1 Peter 4

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Why waste our time with “idol” talk, consulting stars or psychics, when we can go to the One who made both.

The accuracy of the prophecies within the book of Isaiah is stunning. The minute details fulfilled in the many messianic prophesies are convincing enough, but Isaiah also predicts other historical events with startling accuracy. Then God dares the idols people worshipped at this time to do the same.

This is what the Lord says – Israel’s King and Redeemer, the Lord Almighty: “I am the first and I am the last; apart from me there is no God. Who then is like me? Let him proclaim it. Let him declare and lay out before me what has happened since I established my ancient people, and what is yet to come - yes, let him foretell what will come” (44:6,7).

Then God, through His prophet Isaiah, predicts that a man named Cyrus, leading the next world power (the Medo-Persians), would conquer the great Babylonian Empire and release the deported Israelites back to their homeland (44:28; 45:1-7). This prophecy was written down 150 years before Cyrus was even born. It all happened, according to biblical history and substantiated by extrabiblical records!

No dumb idol then (literally “dumb”) or celebrity psychic today (also dumb) could come close to competing prophetically with the Alpha and Omega, First and Last, Author and Finisher of our faith. He has been there since the beginning and will be there at the end of our time. His prophecies are history written in advance. You can check the stars for guidance (astrology) or the seers who will interpret them for you (psychics, mediums, fortune tellers), but “Lord, I put my money, and my life, in the hands of the One who made those stars and created those people. I will not waste my time with ‘idol talk’ when I can go to The Source!” 

July 24 - Star Maker

 Read today’s texts first: Isaiah 40-42; 1 Peter 3

MAXIMize YOUR DAY

We may not be a star in the world’s eyes but we are greater than any star in the eyes of the Star Maker!

I must admit, I do enjoy talent shows like The Voice, American Idol and AGT (America’s Got Talent). It’s amusing to see so many young people (some not so young) with undaunted dreams of becoming a star. Many have deluded themselves, encouraged and entitled by doting, often tone-deaf parents to chase their dreams no matter what others may think. They hear the boos from the crowd and the hard critiques of the judges, and still shake their fist in defiance saying “I’ll show you, you’ll all be begging for my autograph one day!” These people already think of themselves as stars, as idols.

To hotshots like that I would say, “lift your eyes beyond yourselves and the other stars you worship and consider the Star Maker.” Isaiah is amazed at the idolatry of his day, wondering how anyone can compare a man-made idol to the One who made man: “To whom will you compare me? Or who is my equal?” says the Holy One. Lift your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one, and calls them each by name? (40:25,26).

I love this section of Isaiah, with its grand, sweeping descriptions of Almighty God. Over 1000 years before the rest of the world realized the earth was round with a surrounding atmosphere, Isaiah declares: He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth, and its people are like grasshoppers. He stretches out the heavens like a canopy (40:22). And just when you are completely humbled by the immensity of God, Isaiah shocks us all with just how personal and loving this God can be.

Chapter 40 marks the change from the 39 “Old Testament” chapters to the last 27 “New Testament” chapters. It foreshadows the gospels with a clear prophecy of John the Baptist (40:3) and numerous prophecies about Jesus (40:2,9-11; 42:1-4,6-7). From this point on in Isaiah we see this loving, tender, redemptive God revealed through the promises of the coming Messiah. Just when we think we are insignificant in His eyes (40:27) we are assured of His personal care for each one of us (40:28-31).

“Lord, it is humbling to think You made the trillions of stars and know each one by name. But if You can do that, it is easy to believe You also know me by name. I may never be a star in the world’s eyes but I am greater that any star in Your eyes. I am loved by the Star Maker!”