Clearing Away the Stones in the Path
Greetings in the Lord!
Today's word comes from Isaiah chapters 42-44. The imagery early in this passage includes the Lord clearing a way through a rough, dry landscape for weary travelers to pass through. It is reminiscent of the time they spent in the wilderness where the Lord not only lead and provided for the Israelites, but He also shaped and formed and taught them to be a nation following the dictates of His heart.
On Sunday I prayed for a woman at church and while I prayed for her I saw this same imagery in a vision. Naturally, at the time I thought it was for her personally, but now I realize that it was a corporate vision--God is clearing out our paths and leading us into our "Promised Lands", so to speak. But to truly understand the word for today, you have to read those chapters together, then you will realize that this passage talks about a nation that has become "blind" and "deaf" because of their own rebellious ways---sometimes its just that we live too much like the culture around us and we get dull to the voice of God. Too much TV, movies, internet, pursuing careers, self ambitions, whatever, can be a huge distraction and ultimately numb us from living for and loving God the way we should.
The Lord had sent different judgments to try and get their attention, to draw their hearts back to Him but they can't see or hear it--some didn't even want to. Because of this complacency and stubbornness to do things their own way, the Lord turns them over to their enemies--both literal and spiritual, and the people get plundered; they become captives to the sin in their lives and have to struggle with their enemies. It's a divine wake-up call; a shaking of all that can be shaken.
"Who handed Jacob over to become loot, and Israel to the plunderers? Was it not the Lord, against whom we have sinned? For they would not follow His ways; they did not obey His law. So He poured out on them His burning anger, the violence of war. It enveloped them in flames, yet they did not understand; it consumed them, but they did not take it to heart." Isaiah 42:24-25.
We know our country has been in conflicts now for over ten years and it seems to be getting more active, not abating. But this verse tells us to take a closer look at the root cause of violence and war--its spiritual roots. Proverbs tells us that when a man's life is pleasing to the Lord, He causes even his enemies to live at peace with him. So, when we see areas of major violence, even in our own country at schools and public places, we have to know that godless living has opened the door for trouble to come upon us. Thank God in His mercy that He guides the faithful through in such times.
"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze." Isaiah 43:2
In the rest of chapters 43-44, the prophet gives promises of God's redeeming power coming to restore the backslidden people, telling them not to fear the coming trials, but to trust in Him. He tells us ahead of time so that we can recall His goodness and take heart in the midst of the troubles.
"You are My witnesses," declares the Lord, "and My servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe Me and understand that I AM he. Before Me no god was formed, nor will there be one after Me....I have revealed and saved and proclaimed---I, and not some foreign god among you. You are My witnesses," declares the Lord, "that I AM God. Yes, and from ancient days I AM he. No one can deliver out of My hand. When I act, who can reverse it?" Isaiah 43:10-13.
Let the name of the Lord be exalted in our land. When the trouble comes, whose name will you call out to? God, the only Savior, that's who.
~Be blessed and be a blessing.
Today's word comes from Isaiah chapters 42-44. The imagery early in this passage includes the Lord clearing a way through a rough, dry landscape for weary travelers to pass through. It is reminiscent of the time they spent in the wilderness where the Lord not only lead and provided for the Israelites, but He also shaped and formed and taught them to be a nation following the dictates of His heart.
On Sunday I prayed for a woman at church and while I prayed for her I saw this same imagery in a vision. Naturally, at the time I thought it was for her personally, but now I realize that it was a corporate vision--God is clearing out our paths and leading us into our "Promised Lands", so to speak. But to truly understand the word for today, you have to read those chapters together, then you will realize that this passage talks about a nation that has become "blind" and "deaf" because of their own rebellious ways---sometimes its just that we live too much like the culture around us and we get dull to the voice of God. Too much TV, movies, internet, pursuing careers, self ambitions, whatever, can be a huge distraction and ultimately numb us from living for and loving God the way we should.
The Lord had sent different judgments to try and get their attention, to draw their hearts back to Him but they can't see or hear it--some didn't even want to. Because of this complacency and stubbornness to do things their own way, the Lord turns them over to their enemies--both literal and spiritual, and the people get plundered; they become captives to the sin in their lives and have to struggle with their enemies. It's a divine wake-up call; a shaking of all that can be shaken.
"Who handed Jacob over to become loot, and Israel to the plunderers? Was it not the Lord, against whom we have sinned? For they would not follow His ways; they did not obey His law. So He poured out on them His burning anger, the violence of war. It enveloped them in flames, yet they did not understand; it consumed them, but they did not take it to heart." Isaiah 42:24-25.
We know our country has been in conflicts now for over ten years and it seems to be getting more active, not abating. But this verse tells us to take a closer look at the root cause of violence and war--its spiritual roots. Proverbs tells us that when a man's life is pleasing to the Lord, He causes even his enemies to live at peace with him. So, when we see areas of major violence, even in our own country at schools and public places, we have to know that godless living has opened the door for trouble to come upon us. Thank God in His mercy that He guides the faithful through in such times.
"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze." Isaiah 43:2
In the rest of chapters 43-44, the prophet gives promises of God's redeeming power coming to restore the backslidden people, telling them not to fear the coming trials, but to trust in Him. He tells us ahead of time so that we can recall His goodness and take heart in the midst of the troubles.
"You are My witnesses," declares the Lord, "and My servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe Me and understand that I AM he. Before Me no god was formed, nor will there be one after Me....I have revealed and saved and proclaimed---I, and not some foreign god among you. You are My witnesses," declares the Lord, "that I AM God. Yes, and from ancient days I AM he. No one can deliver out of My hand. When I act, who can reverse it?" Isaiah 43:10-13.
Let the name of the Lord be exalted in our land. When the trouble comes, whose name will you call out to? God, the only Savior, that's who.
~Be blessed and be a blessing.
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