Isaiah Chapters 31-33

31:1 and 3 - This is a recurring theme in Isaiah...the Jews continue to put their hope of salvation and trust in other humans - in the strength of man-made armies and animal powered chariots - instead of putting their trust in God. But those things are not God and they will never be God and they will never offer the hope that God is. We must make sure in our own lives that we are not putting more importance of the wisdom and power of man than we do on the guidance of our Father God.

31:6 - My translation says that the people have "deeply revolted" from God...that is such a powerful phrase. How have you and I deeply revolted from God in our lives? How have we chosen to rebel...how have we denied the lives that we have been created to live? No matter where you are, no matter what you have done, it is never too late to turn back to God. Isaiah is calling the people of Israel and us to turn away from our rebellion and back to the path of God.

32:1-2 - Isaiah predicts that a king of righteousness will one day reign. We know that the ultimate king of righteousness was and is Jesus Christ. He came to show the world a new way...a revolutionary path of existence where people have the strength to care more about others than themselves. When leaders choose to lead out of righteousness and selflessness they stand out like a stream in the midst of a desert. The world is thirsty for Christians who will stand up and lead by choosing to truly follow Jesus.

32:5 - In a world where people try to live nobly...try to seek out justice and righteousness...the fools are no longer called noble. I think about political shock-jocks from both ends of the political spectrum who spew vile and offensive political garbage back and forth and I think about all the people in the US who listen to them almost religiously. These people are not offering solutions, they are not offering a better way, they are not making the world a better place - they are fools that make themselves wealthy through hatred. As Christians seek to follow the way of Christ and allow his righteousness to fill them...they should see the vileness of worldly "wisdom and truth" for what it is - foolishness.

32:8 - Very clear cut - those who are noble, think about noble things and perform noble deeds. You can always tell the health of a tree from its fruit. What is your life producing?

32:9-10 - Isaiah calls out the women of Israel, because they have grown complacent. They think that everything is fine...they think that there will always be food and that they have nothing to worry about. Isaiah tells them that they should go into the fields and put on sackcloth and ashes because judgment is coming. They should begin mourning because famine and destruction is just around the corner. Judgment comes because they have not only grown complacent in regards to their crops, but also in regards to their faith. In the easy living world of suburbia, do not allow yourself to grow complacent when it comes to your relationship with God.

32:17 - This is what righteous people living out righteous lives bring to the planet: peace, quiet, trust, rest, etc. These are the things that should follow in the wake of Christians living out their lives in this world.

33:2 - This is a great verse to start your day out with - God be my arm today...guide me where I should go...use me to do your work in this world today...no matter what comes, good or bad, I know that you are with me and I know that you are my salvation.

33:6 - Who is God? He is the abundance of wisdom. All wisdom comes from Him. He is the source of salvation. Salvation only comes through Him. He is the abundance of knowledge. All truth comes through Him. If you choose to love and fear this one and only God with all your heart, it will be a treasure to your life and those who know you.

33:14-15 - Who can stand in the midst of God's consuming fire? Those who have lived to reflect His character and nature in this world. Those who have chosen to love and fear Him with their whole beings. Like we talked about yesterday - the consuming fire of God becomes a place of contentment for those who trust in Him alone.

33:22 - Judge - lawgiver - king - God is our salvation and hope. No human being can be these things for us. Christians in the US must remember that as great as this country is...it is not something that we should put our faith and trust in. It is human...it is flawed...our only true king, our only true authority is God. Respect the authorities that have been placed over you in this world, but understand the reality that all things are superseded by the greatness and wisdom of God.