Tag Archives: Isaiah 8-9:21

Daily Bible Study

September 11, 2014 Bible Study — God’s Power Works Through Our Weakness

For today, One Year Bible Online links here.

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Proverbs 23:4-5

    It is futile to exhaust ourselves in the pursuit of wealth. What good will it do us to acquire large amounts of money, if we spend all of our time getting it and have no time to spend it (whether on ourselves or others)? We may think that we are clever enough to know when we have “made it”, but wealth is fleeting. No sooner do you think that you have a fortune than it will disappear. Let us focus on doing God’s work rather than on acquiring wealth.

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Psalm 55:1-23

    The psalmist was troubled and worried about many problems. He could not get his fears and worries out of his mind. So, he called upon the Lord, and not just once, but persistently. He called upon the Lord morning, noon, and night. Let us follow the psalmist’s example. When troubles and worries are filling our minds, let us call upon the Lord morning, noon, and night. In verse 22 the psalmist tells us how to deal with whatever it is that is worrying us. For this I prefer the NIV:

Cast your cares on the Lord
and he will sustain you;
he will never let
the righteous be shaken.

“Cast” is so much more expressive of how we are to do this than “Give”. The word cast expresses an action where it is harder to take it back than that expressed by “give”. It is not easy to follow this advice, but it is sure. Morning, noon, and night let us call out to the Lord and give over to Him the worries of this life which fill our minds. Once we have cast our cares upon Him, let us turn our minds to doing His will.

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2 Corinthians 12:1-10

    Paul tells us that despite the many things he experienced which could be the basis of boasting, he has chosen not to do so. Part of what kept him from doing so was his knowledge of what he referred to as “thorn in his flesh”. He never tells us what that “thorn” was. He tells us that he begged God to take it from him, but that God told him that God’s grace would allow him to live with it. Some have suggested that the “thorn” was a vision problem, others have suggested it was some other physical disability. Reading this today, the context seems to imply some sort of temptation which Paul found impossible to resist, yet Paul’s writings, as I understand them, teach that if we fully turn ourselves over to the Holy Spirit, He will give us the strength to resist all temptation. Ultimately, the key to remember from this passage is that God’s power works best in our weakness.

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Isaiah 8-9:21

    Isaiah prophesied that Judah would be delivered from the alliance of Syria and Israel. Rather than feel sorrow for the suffering the people of Syria and Israel experienced, the people of Judah rejoiced at their misfortune. Therefore God told Isaiah that they would experience a measure of that same suffering. Let us never rejoice over the suffering of others, not even those who wish us ill. God condemns such behavior in the strongest terms. God calls us to love all people, even those whose actions will lead them to suffering, even those whose actions wrong us or others.
    God instructed Isaiah not to think like everyone else does. That instruction is intended for us as well. Do not believe conspiracy theories and do not be afraid of the things which frighten those who do not fear the Lord. Rather it is God whom we should fear. We should tremble at the thought of making God angry. If we fear the Lord, He will keep us safe. Isaiah warns us against getting caught up with those who seek guidance from the dead and other paranormal means. We see the sort of thing he was warning about in the popularity of shows such as Ghost Hunters. As people have less and less trust in God, they become more susceptible to conspiracy theories, superstition, and paranormal explanations for what is happening. They refuse to accept or follow God’s instruction, then become angry when bad things result.
    Despite the great anger which God expressed against the people of Judah through Isaiah, He still promised that there would be an end to the darkness. He promised through Isaiah that Jesus would come and shine the light of deliverance upon God’s people. Even today, as people turn from God to superstition and conspiracy theories, God is preparing once more to cause His light to shine out among them. I believe a great darkness is descending upon the world once more. However, I also believe that the darkness is but a prelude to God’s light once more bursting forth for all people to see. As I think about that I feel inspired to call out to God, “Here I am. Send me.” (Of course, just thinking that frightens me a bit, where will He send me?)

Daily Bible Study

September 11, 2013 Bible Study — The People Who Walk In Darkness Will See a Great Light

     I am using One Year Bible Online for my daily Bible study. For today, One Year Bible Online links here. I have found that by writing this daily blog of what I see when I read these scriptures, I get more out of them. I hope that by posting these ruminations others may get some benefit as well. If you have any thoughts or comments regarding these verses or what I have written about them, please post them.

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Isaiah 8-9:21

     Isaiah predicts that before his new born son is old enough to say “Papa” or “Mama” Assyria will destroy the kingdom of Damascus and the kingdom of Israel (the Northern Kingdom). Assyria will sweep over those lands like a river overflowing its banks. The flood waters will rise up into Judah, but subside before Judah is completely submerged. Judah would not be overcome by Assyria because God was with them.
     In the time of trouble that was coming, God gave Isaiah a message that applies to all who wish to serve the Lord. The message is that we are not to become enmeshed in believing in conspiracy theories and afraid of earthly powers. We should make God our focus. We should fear only Him. If we have an appropriate fear of God He will keep us safe. Far too many people will find stumble over God, like a stone in the road, rather than shelter in His protection. When trouble strikes people will turn to mediums and the occult to find answers. Instead they should consult God, who would tell them what to do. People ignore God’s instructions and guidance only to find themselves lost, tired, and hungry. In their hunger, instead of turning to God and being fed, they will rage against Him and curse Him. Because they refuse to turn to God and accept His loving care they will see only darkness and despair everywhere they look.
     However, Isaiah tells us that, despite the unwillingness of people to turn to God, there is cause for hope. God will bring revival. He will call His people back to Him.

The people who walk in darkness
will see a great light.
For those who live in a land of deep darkness,
a light will shine.

This is traditionally viewed as a prophecy regarding the coming of Jesus, and it is. But I believe that it is more than that. It is a reflection of how God works in this world. People reject God and His commands. They rebel against His commands and seek to go their own way. The world descends into chaos and darkness. Everywhere people look they see despair, anguish, and trouble. A few, however, will remain faithful and when the darkness seems to cover the entire world, their light, the reflection of God’s glory, will shine forth. People will see this light and God’s Spirit will bring about a revival as people turn to Him as the answer to their troubles.

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2 Corinthians 12:1-10

     Paul speaks of a man who had a vision whereby he was caught up into the third heaven (I am unaware of any other references which suggest that there are multiple heavens and that they are numbered). He says that he would boast about such a man, but will not boast about himself, except for his weaknesses. Paul goes on to say that if he wanted to boast he would not be a fool, even though boasting is foolish, because it would be the truth. Paul says that he avoids boasting about such things because he wants people to judge him based on what he says about the revelations which God has given him. Paul then tells us that he was given a thorn in his side to keep him from becoming conceited. He tells us that this thorn was a messenger from Satan to torment him and keep him from pride. Paul plead with God on three occasions to have this thorn removed. God’s answer was that His grace was sufficient and that His power worked best through weakness. Today’s passage concludes with Paul telling us that it is when he is weak that he is strongest.

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     We do not know what the “thorn” in Paul’s side was. Many different people have theorized one thing and another, most commonly, a problem with his eyes. Whatever it was, the consensus is that it was some sort of physical disability/illness. Paul, who by God’s grace, was able to bring healing to so many was unable to experience healing for some physical disability or illness which he suffered for most of his ministry. The most important part of this passage is the idea that it is when we are weak that we are strongest. It is when we acknowledge that we have no ability on our own to do God’s will that God is most able to work through us to bring about change, both in ourselves and in the world around us. I am unable to make the world a better place. However, if I allow God’s Spirit to work through me, He is able to change the world in ways that are unimaginable before they happen. One of the reasons we so often fail to bring about the changes in the world around us is because we try to do it ourselves, rather than rely on God. Even there, part of the problem is that we shoot too low. God does not want to make small tweaks to our lives. He wants to transform us into His very image and likeness. God is not looking to light candles to illuminate the dark. He wants to light magnesium torches in order to banish the darkness.

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Psalm 55:1-23

     This psalm was written at a time when the psalmist was feeling betrayed by someone he counted a friend and a fellow servant of God. He wishes for the ability to fly away and escape from the shame and suffering this friend’s betrayal has brought upon him. However, despite what he is feeling he will still call upon the Lord and he gives us advice that we should all follow when we feel overwhelmed.

Give your burdens to the Lord,
and he will take care of you.
He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.

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     What a great verse for me today. I will give my burdens and cares to God. I suffered a disappointment at work today and this passage is a reminder that all goes according to God’s plan. He will use me to glorify His name and all that happens to me is part of His plan. He will guide me along His paths and show me how to serve Him.

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Proverbs 23:4-5

     This proverb reminds us that wealth is fleeting and that we should spend our energy on those things which are more important and last for an eternity. We should know that our own cleverness will never get us anywhere that is not on God’s path for our lives.

Daily Bible Study

September 11, 2012 Bible Study

     I am using One Year Bible Online for my daily Bible study. For today, One Year Bible Online links here. I have found that by writing this daily blog of what I see when I read these scriptures, I get more out of them. I hope that by posting these ruminations others may get some benefit as well. If you have any thoughts or comments regarding these verses or what I have written about them, please post them.

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Isaiah 8-9:21

     Today’s passage begins with a warning to the people of Judah. Isaiah tells them that their joy over the misfortune of their enemies is misplaced. Because they celebrated Assyria’s conquest of the Northern Kingdom, Assyria will invade them as well. We should not rejoice over the misfortune of others, even if they are our enemies. It is one thing to celebrate that God has delivered us from our enemies. It is another to celebrate that our enemies are suffering.
     Isaiah goes on to tell us not to fall into the trap of seeing conspiracies everywhere. We should not fear the things that those around us fear, we should not share their dread. Instead, we should fear the Lord alone. If we do so, He will keep us safe. I will put my trust in the Lord and I will pass on His instructions to any who might look to me for teaching. Isaiah tells us that many people will reject God’s guidance and instead will turn to mediums and those who claim to speak with the dead for guidance. We should not follow their lead, but we should look to God for guidance. Those who reject God’s guidance will be tired and hungry. I do not know if he meant it this way, but I see so many people who are spiritually hungry, yet refuse to “eat” that which will satisfy their hunger. Instead they go from one type of spiritual junk food to another, while ignoring the feast that God has prepared for them.
     Isaiah tells us that as dark and dismal as things may seem, it is not the end. God will send His light to us. Indeed, God has done so. Yet even after God has sent His son to us there are those who continue to wallow in darkness and evil. Those who choose to not see. As a result, God will again bring His judgement against those who refuse to follow His ways. I pray that I may be a light to those around me so that perhaps some of them might choose to follow the Light.

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2 Corinthians 12:1-10

     Paul continues to “boast” of his credentials as a servant of God. He talks about a vision he had of heaven. A vision of things so wonderful that he cannot find the words to describe them. Then he says that for all that, none of those “credentials” are what he will boast about. His background as a Jew, his training in Jewish law, the persecution and suffering he has experienced to promote the Gospel, even his vision of heaven, none of those things are the credentials which validate his message. Paul tells us that instead it is his weakness, his “thorn in my flesh” which validates his message. I do not know what the thorn in Paul’s flesh was. I have heard some conjecture that it was his eyesight, there is some reason to believe that Paul had a problem with his vision. Perhaps that is what his “thorn” was, or perhaps it was some other physical malady. However, as I read this, it strikes me that perhaps it was some sin that Paul struggled with, some temptation that he found difficult to resist. That would be consistent with what Paul wrote in Romans 7 where he said, “I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway.” Paul asked God to take this “thorn”, whatever it was, from him, but God did not. Instead, God told Paul that His grace would be sufficient for Paul. God wants us to acknowledge that we are weak, that we are no better than anyone else. I pray to God that I never look at others and think, “They are such terrible sinners. Thank God I am better than that.” Unfortunately, I am quite sure that I have fallen prey to that temptation in the past and that I will do so again in the future. Nevertheless, I will continue to strive against falling into that pit.

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Psalm 55:1-23

     The psalmist in this passage is bemoaning the fact that a friend has betrayed him. Someone with whom he worshiped the Lord has turned on him and is attempting to bring him down. Despite the fact that someone he considered a brother in the Lord has betrayed him, the psalmist still declares that he will trust the Lord. If we give our burdens to the Lord, He will carry them for us. The Lord will take care of us and keep us from slipping and falling on the slippery places in this walk of our life. When I read this I envision hiking through the woods with a pack on our backs. We come to a place where the footing is difficult and slippery. The Lord is like that person who helps us by taking the pack off our back and holding our arm so that we do not fall on the wet rocks.

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Proverbs 23:4-5

     Today’s proverb advises against exhausting ourselves seeking wealth. Wealth is not permanent and we should not spend all of our energy in pursuit of it. Instead we should pursue righteousness and serving the Lord.