July 28 - Prophetic Proof Positive

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

MAXIMize YOUR DAY

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

MAXIMize YOUR DAY

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

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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!”

July 23 - Freedom in Slavery

 Read today’s texts first: 2 Kings 20; Isaiah 38,39; Psalms 75; 1 Peter 2

MAXIMize YOUR DAY

As slaves to God we have freedom from sin,
not freedom to sin!

At first I entitled today’s devo “Free Slaves,” but that sounded like a campaign for emancipation. While that’s a noble cause, it isn’t what Peter was talking about in 1 Peter 2. Our readings today suggest that the only way we can truly be free is to become a slave to Christ: Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bondslaves of God (2:16). It’s one of those paradox principles, like give to receive, serve to lead and die to live. Though it sounds contradictory, it’s more proof that God’s Kingdom functions completely opposite to the world. The world’s system is upside-down; God’s Kingdom is right-side up.

The god of this world is Satan, known for rebelling against his creator and usurping God’s authority (Is. 14). Pride, arrogance, self-sufficiency, selfish ambition, all find their source in him. The pathway to freedom, according to the Father of Lies, is to come out from under authority, be your own person, look out for #1, don’t let anyone tell you what to do. In other words, be your own god. It’s the lie he sold the first man and woman and everyone after them! For good reason the psalmist warns the arrogant: I said to the boastful, “Do not boast,” And to the wicked, “Do not lift up the horn; Do not lift up your horn on high, Do not speak with insolent pride” (75:4,5).

The problem is when we try to do that, we become slaves to Satan and sin (Rom.6:16). Those who try to free themselves from God sink into the worst bondage imaginable. They spiral down into darkness, depression, dependencies and despondency. They not only lose the freedom they sought, but they also lose hope, joy, peace of mind and real love. On the other hand, when we finally realize we were created to be dependent on God and interdependent with each other, then we find true freedom. Peter makes it clear that it is freedom from sin, not freedom to sin. It begins with becoming a “bondslave” of God. Bondslaves are voluntary; they serve out of love, not obligation. “Lord, the more I set my heart to serve You, the more freedom I enjoy. I say with Hezekiah, I will walk humbly with You all my years” (38:15). 

July 22 - Be Holy

 Read today’s texts first: Isaiah 36,37; Psalms 76; 1 Peter 1

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We can be holy because He is holy - no excuses!

Yesterday we saw the potential for living right; today it is a command. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy” (1:14-16).

We hear Christians rationalize their sin with comments like “I’m just a sinner saved by grace” or “nobody’s perfect” (I’ve done it too!). We suffer from low expectations not only of ourselves, but also of God. We must remember we are not expected to live holy in our own strength. God is working in us through the “sanctifying work of the Spirit” and “through the living and enduring word of God” (1:2,23). We are to be holy because a holy God is living in and through us.

Even before the arrival of the Messiah and His abiding Spirit, God’s people were expected to obey Him, from Adam to Hezekiah. Our Isaiah reading repeats the exploits of King Hezekiah, who faced two extraordinary tests of his faith and faithfulness. The first was a threat of war with the far superior army of the Assyrians. Hezekiah admitted his helplessness and dependence on his God, who is Lord “over all the kingdoms of the earth,” who “made heaven and earth” (37:14-20). In answer to his prayer, God sent His death angel to fight the battle for Hezekiah.

The second challenge was even greater, requiring a miracle of life, not death. Hezekiah faced impending death from an incurable disease, so again he cried out to God for mercy (38:2,3). God came through with an unprecedented gift of 15 extra years of life. The reason seemed to be Hezekiah’s exemplary life.

“Lord, it is clear in Your Word, both by instruction and example, that I can and should live holy every day. I am grateful You are with me. I can be holy because You are holy!”