For today, One Year Bible Online links here.
Let us commit ourselves to seeking and following instruction, listening carefully to any words of knowledge which we hear. God will provide us with the knowledge and instruction that we need to do His will. When He does so, we must listen closely and act accordingly.
God asks of rulers if they know the meaning of justice and if they judge people with equity. The answer is in the majority of cases “No”, rather than dispense justice, most rulers spread violence throughout the lands they rule. Those who rise to power are born sinners (but then, aren’t we all?), they have lied and gone their own way their entire lives. However, God will administer justice. He will sweep away the unjust rulers and government officials. The day will arrive when everyone will be forced to acknowledge that God judges justly here on earth and not just in heaven. Let us be among the righteous who will rejoice on that day, not among the wicked who will suffer.
Let us be careful not to fooled into following another message other than the Gospel. There are many who preach a message which they claim is the message of Christ, but is a cleverly distorted form of the Gospel. The Gospel of Christ is the grace of God as demonstrated in the death and resurrection of Christ. Those who preach that doing God’s will leads to fame and/or fortune are distorting this message.
The Gospel message is not based on human reasoning. Actually, I prefer the NIV here, The Gospel message is not of human origin. However, the NLT brings an important element to understanding the Gospel. No one will work out the Gospel message purely by applying human reasoning. It is only when the Holy Spirit moves in our hearts and minds that we can comprehend the message which Christ brought to us. Paul does not speak about it here, but elsewhere he reminds us that he had been thoroughly steeped in the Scripture from his youth. So, it is important to check the message which the Holy Spirit has revealed to us against the words which God has spoken in the Scripture and the understanding of those with more experience following the Gospel message. Let us always test our understanding of the Gospel message in three ways. First, by listening to what the Holy Spirit speaks within our hearts. Second, by comparing that message to what God has said in the Scripture. And Third, by listening to what others who are seeking to follow God have learned from reading the Scriptures and listening to the Holy Spirit.
Isaiah warns here that those who turn to idols and put their trust in things will face death and destruction. When hard and difficult times come upon the earth, people will turn to those things where they truly put their trust. If we place our trust in anything other than God, it will fail us when trouble comes. When that times, many will be destroyed, but a few will recognize their mistake and turn once more to God. For it is God alone who is able to save us. God alone can hide us when trouble strikes the world around us. Powerful armies will rise throughout the world and array themselves against God’s people. God’s people will see with terror the destruction these armies are creating throughout the earth, but overnight God will strike and destroy them.
We see the rise of such armies right now, Russia invading its neighbors, Boko Haram in Nigeria, the Islamic State in Syria and Iraq, Iran obtaining nuclear weapons while promising to destroy Israel and the U.S. (and others). However, for all of the might and power which these forces are beginning the unleash, they will be unable to survive when God brings about their end.