“The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).

 Isaiah 41-43

“The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”). Matthew 1:23

Day 193 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) continues with my study of Isaiah. Building on my post yesterday, Isaiah delivers comforting words to Judah who has been taken captive by Babylonia - including a prophecy of the coming Messiah (Isaiah 42:1-4). 

These encouraging words include the below:

“All who rage against you will surely be ashamed and disgraced; those who oppose you will be as nothing and perish. Though you search for your enemies, you will not find them. Those who wage war against you will be as nothing at all. For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. Isaiah 41:11-13

“The poor and needy search for water, but there is none; their tongues are parched with thirst. But I the Lord will answer them; I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them. Isaiah 41:17

This is what God the Lord says—the Creator of the heavens, who stretches them out, who spreads out the earth with all that springs from it, who gives breath to its people, and life to those who walk on it:“I, the Lord, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles, to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness. Isaiah 42:5-7

I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them. Isaiah 42:16

But now, this is what the Lord says— he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. 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. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I give Egypt for your ransom, Cush and Seba in your stead. Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you, I will give people in exchange for you, nations in exchange for your life. Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west. I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’ and to the south, ‘Do not hold them back.’ Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth—everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.” Isaiah 43:1-7

More than anything this morning I know - we have a God - Jesus Christ - that loves us, is with us, helps us, and will never leave or forsake us!

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me, who helps me, and who will never leave or forsake me - as I know You are with me!  Thank You Jesus.  I am not deserving of such a God.  I sin...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Isaiah 40-41

The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:28-31

Day 192 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) continues as I return to Isaiah. My commentary* indicates: "If there was any cause for optimism during the reign of Hezekiah, it has now been lost amid the paganism which Manasseh has fostered. Therefore Isaiah once again takes to the streets to warn against idolatry, sorcery, and even astrology. But now in his last days, and with most of Israel already in foreign exile, Isaiah shifts his emphasis. He projects himself into the period of Judah’s exile. He writes as if he were viewing God’s people after Jerusalem’s destruction. He sees their despair in Babylonian captivity. But even now, through God’s revelation, Isaiah sees the restoration of Israel, their return from captivity to a prosperous nation, and the rebuilt city of Jerusalem. Isaiah declares that his mission at this time is to bring comfort to those already in exile and to those about to be taken captive."

*Smith, F. LaGard. The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) . Harvest House Publishers. Kindle Edition.

This morning, as I read Isaiah 40-41 my commentary* highlights not only Isaiah's words from God to comfort Israel, but also to tell of the coming Messiah, and to describe attributes of God - including how God's people/nations are fragile in His hands, how God loves His people, how God's power/strength is unlimited, how idols are futile, how God is in control, and how God's people find strength through Him.

There are many verses from today's reading that provide us with comfort and strength, including not just Isaiah 40:28-31, but also:

He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young. Isaiah 40:11

He who brings out the starry host one by one and calls forth each of them by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing. Isaiah 40:26

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who provides great comfort during periods of challenge and difficulty - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such love.  I worry am harsh with my words, etc.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

But the people did not listen. Manasseh led them astray, so that they did more evil than the nations the Lord had destroyed before the Israelites.

2 Kings 20-21 and 2 Chronicles 32-33

But the people did not listen. Manasseh led them astray, so that they did more evil than the nations the Lord had destroyed before the Israelites. 2 Kings 21:9, 2 Chronicles 33:9

Day 191 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) continues as this morning as the throne passes from Hezekiah to his son Manasseh.  My commentary* indicates that although "Judah has experienced a spiritual revival" under Hezekiah, "every generation must determine its own commitment, and the fibers of faith are so fragile that a single misguided leader can entice the hearts of believers to worship lesser gods. Whether it is because Hezekiah was so busy leading his nation to God that he neglected his own children, or because his son, at the age of 12, takes the reins of power at far too early an age, the sad fact is that Manasseh turns the people from God back to idolatry and other pagan practices".

*Smith, F. LaGard. The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®). Harvest House Publishers. Kindle Edition.

Manasseh did not seek God and he led Judah to turn from God.

For me this strikes a chord as I pray that both Zach and Dustin acknowledge their need for Jesus, accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior, and develop a daily/lifelong relationship with Jesus where with every breath and bone in their body they seek to honor and glory God.  This is a decision each must make on their own and all I can do is model Jesus in my life and pray for both of them.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, I love You and I am grateful that YOU gave me faith and the many blessings that come with faith - I know there is a long way for me to go and You continue to work in my heart and life but I have seen Your hand in my life and I am grateful.  I also know I am not deserving.  I worry and I have other sins.  Please forgive me Jesus.  Help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

2 Kings 18-20, Isaiah 36-39, and 2 Chronicles 32

And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. James 5:15-16

Day 190 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) continues as this morning the focus is what my commentary* refers to as the "last years of Hezekiah's reign".  These last years included an Assyrian invasion of Judah, Hezekiah's tribute to Assyria in response, Hezekiah's illness and miraculous healing from God, Hezekiah's initial gratitude towards God for this healing, Hezekiah's lingering pride issues and Hezekiah's repentance from such pride, descriptions of Judah's prosperity during Hezekiah's reign, envoys (as a test) from Babylon, and another invasion from Assyria and Hezekiah's reliance on God during this subsequent invasion.  Ultimately, Babylon overtakes Judah but not in Hezekiah's lifetime.    

*Smith, F. LaGard. The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®). Harvest House Publishers. Kindle Edition.

Hezekiah is far from perfect, nor are any of us as we all sin and need a Savior and God's message though Isaiah provides faithful believers with great hope for how He intervenes in the lives of those who trust Him.  Hezekiah goes to God in prayer and for counsel.

God's words concerning Assyria:

‘But I know where you are and when you come and go and how you rage against me. Because you rage against me and because your insolence has reached my ears, I will put my hook in your nose and my bit in your mouth, and I will make you return by the way you came.’ 2 Kings 19:27-28, Isaiah 37:28-29

‘He will not enter this city or shoot an arrow here. He will not come before it with shield or build a siege ramp against it. By the way that he came he will return; he will not enter this city, declares the Lord. I will defend this city and save it, for my sake and for the sake of David my servant.’ 2 Kings 19:32-34, Isaiah 37:33-35

Assyria is ultimately turned back.  For me the takeaway today is how God responds to prayer.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is ALWAYS listening and responding to our prayers - thank You Jesus!  I know You love me!  I am not deserving of such love.  I sin - worry and other sins.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

“In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it.

Isaiah 18-20 and 30-31

“In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it. Isaiah 30:15

Day 189 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) continues as today we see the impact of Israel's fall on Judah.  My commentary* describes how fear of an Assyrian conquest of Judah pushes some in Judah to seek "an alliance with Egypt ([at the time] ruled by Cushites from Ethiopia)". Isaiah delivers God's message of warning against such alliances and to trust in the Lord.   

*Smith, F. LaGard. The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) . Harvest House Publishers. Kindle Edition.

Today I am reminded of Isaiah 55:8 where is says “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord.  Like those in Judah who trusted in Egypt's military strength, I too often trust in the world vs God.  Yet I must find my strength in God alone.

I am also reminded of Exodus 14:10-14 where Moses points the frightened Israelites to seek God in the stillness of a complete surrender to Him as the Egyptian army barrels down to recapture them and return them to bondage in Egypt:

As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites looked up, and there were the Egyptians, marching after them. They were terrified and cried out to the Lord. They said to Moses, “Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt? Didn’t we say to you in Egypt, ‘Leave us alone; let us serve the Egyptians’? It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert!”

Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who provides rest, strength and salvation - I must simply surrender my life and trust in You.  Help me do this please Lord.  You have blessed me and there are areas where I yet to surrender.  Please forgive me Jesus and Help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.

2 Kings 17-18

Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many. 1 Corinthians 12:12-14

Day 188 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) continues as this morning we see Israel's (northern kingdom) fall. My commentary* describes "one of the darkest hours of God's chosen nation" and how "[d]espite prophetic warnings, Israel still rejects God, and the end is at hand for the northern tribes. Last-minute desperation will lead to an alliance with Egypt in an effort to stave off Assyria, but the cause is hopeless. After a three-year siege, Samaria will fall and many of the people of Israel will be led captive to Assyria. Their lands and homes will be occupied by settlers sent in from Babylonia and other Eastern countries. These new Samaritans will become a hybrid people and will develop an unusual mixed religion."

*Smith, F. LaGard. The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®). Harvest House Publishers. Kindle Edition.

Detailed thoroughly in today's reading, there are many factors leading to Israel's fall, but in my mind lack of gratitude and humility are key - we must be thankful for all that God has done and that all that we are and have are from Him alone and not of our own doing.  We express our gratitude through daily worship and time with God.

I am struck with how BOTH Judah and Israel were complicit in Israel's fall.  From my reading this morning God "removed them from [H]is presence" (2 Kings 17:18, 23). We should never want this to happen!  Unity, encouragement of one another, and accountability in our faith are also important. 

God desires to get the attention of both kingdoms and so instead of a single kingdom as we see under David and Solomon, we get the divided kingdoms as today's reading refers back to 1 Kings 11 where Israel is "tore away" from Judah:

When he tore Israel away from the house of David, they made Jeroboam son of Nebat their king. Jeroboam enticed Israel away from following the Lord and caused them to commit a great sin. 2 Kings 17:21

Today's reading is also a stark reminder how the church and believers must remain united in love of the Lord.  See also 1 Corinthians 12:12:26.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has done so much for me and who continues to be with me - always!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such a God.  I continue to sin...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure.

Isaiah 29, 27, 32-33, and 22  

He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure. Isaiah 33:6

Day 187 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) continues with my study of Isaiah's prophecies.  My commentary* and the MacArthur Bible Study Commentary (for purchase) both describe Israel's final restoration or prosperity.  Key verses for me this morning:

In that day, the Lord will punish with his sword—his fierce, great and powerful sword—Leviathan the gliding serpent, Leviathan the coiling serpent; he will slay the monster of the sea. In that day—“Sing about a fruitful vineyard: I, the Lord, watch over it; I water it continually. I guard it day and night so that no one may harm it. I am not angry. Isaiah 27:1-4

In days to come Jacob will take root, Israel will bud and blossom and fill all the world with fruit. Isaiah 27:6

My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest. Isaiah 32:18

Isaiah 33:6 in particular highlights for me today key promises of Jesus Christ my Lord and Savior.  These promises of course are known to come to pass because God is faithful and God keeps His promises.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and whose promises ALWAYS come true - You make awesome promises and they ALL come true!  Thank You Jesus for Your faithfulness.  I take great comfort in knowing that You will never leave or forsake me.  I am undeserving of such a God.  I worry and I have other sins.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.