Sure Sign of Deliverance

Greetings in the Lord!

Lately the Lord has been having me read Isaiah chapters 7-8. Those chapters tell a story about King Ahaz of Jerusalem being scared about the impending threat of King Rezin of Aram and Pekah son of Remaliah king of Israel. Isaiah the prophet is sent to King Ahaz to give him a word of encouragement, saying that he should not lose heart, but be assured of God's deliverance, as the Lord says:

"'It will not take place, it will not happen, for the head of Aram is Damascus, and the head of Damascus is only Rezin. Within sixty-five years Ephraim will be too shattered to be a people. The head of Ephraim is Samaria, and the head of Samaria is only Remaliah's son. If you do not stand firm in your faith you will not stand at all.'" Isaiah 7:7-9.

Then Isaiah goes on to say that the Lord will give a sign of sure deliverance, which taken literally, was going to be the birth and subsequent age that boy will be (around 2 yrs old) when fullfillment of God's word would happen. (That passage (Is.7:14) is also a Messianc prophecy of Jesus.)

Next the Lord had me read Isaiah 61 (Year of the Lord's Favor) and 2 Peter 3 ("Scoffers will come in the last days"). Taken all together I understood that the Lord is saying that we are in a year of the Lord's favor and that though our nation is being hard pressed right now, that we are to remain faithful---the Lord will deliver us! Rezin and Remaliah were kings just causing trouble for Judah and not a real threat...however, the Lord does give King Ahaz a stern warning: "If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all." The Lord is extending to us a period of grace, power and favor so that we might recognize the times and diligently reach out to the lost.

Also, in combining the themes of Isaiah 8, 61, and 2 Peter 3 we understand that this year of the Lord's grace and favor is for us to move powerfully in the Spirit to reach out to the brokenhearted, down-trodden and captives to get them to experience the love, healing and freedom of Christ Jesus so that they will repent and come to Him. Our lives will be a "sign" to all the people around us that we are a blessed people because of our relationship and devotion to the Lord...and they are invited to take part in His salvation too! As for those who still continue to refuse Him, our lives will be a "sign" to them as well; the Lord will become for them a "stumbling block."

Did you know that Methuselah lived to be 969 years old? Did you know that he also died the year Noah built the ark and the flood happened? In fact, Methuselah's L-O-N-G life was an illustration of God's generous grace and his death was a sign of impending judgment. And so it is with our lives today....the generous grace and favor of God being poured out in abundance upon His people as a sign for us to know that the Lord's day is rapidly coming. "He 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....So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with Him. Bear in mind that our Lord's patience means salvation....." 2 Peter 3:9, 14-15.

Yes, as a nation we will see the deliverance of the Lord if we stand firm in our faith. We will see deliverance in many financial markets, industries, cities, schools and neighborhoods. We are sure to see the Lord's anointed ones in political offices if we stand firm in our faith.
"Do not call conspiracy everything that these people call conspiracy; do not fear what they fear, and do not dread it. The Lord Almightly is the One you are to regard as holy, He is the One you are to fear, He is the One you are to dread, and he will be a sanctuary;...." Isaiah 8:12-13.

~Be blessed and be a blessing.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Joel 2: Locusts Swarm and Devour the Land

A Tsunami of Truth and Justice

Strong Hand of the Lord Moving Now

Set Free From the Trap

Battlements of Rubies, Gates of Sparkling Jewels

Righteousness and Justice Your Foundation

My Brother Ishmael