There Is None Else

Dear class,

Today's readings are taken from Isaiah 45-47.

The prophecy of Cyrus the Great (c.f. Ezra 1:2), actually begins with Isa 44:28 was to be fulfilled some hundred and fifty years thereabouts later! Again, we note that often times, God uses characters from Gentile nations to fulfil his purpose.
The subsequent 2 chapters speak of judgement upon the rising empire of the Chaldeans. (At this point in time, the Assyrian empire was the 'world power' so to speak, though in it's last throes) As great as they were (The Hanging Gardens of Babylon is one of the 7 wonders of the Ancient World), the empire was relatively short-lived, which was again an example of what God raised up to fulfil his purpose of judgement against Judah (c.f. Jer 27:7-22).
Even as Cyrus was well established, king Nebuchadnezzar had to suffer a much more drastic experience, yet at the end of it all, upon coming to his senses and finally restored to his former glory, declared:
"...I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation...I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase." (Dan 4:34,37)

Truly there is none else but God! Declared no less that 5 times in chapter 45 alone by the inspired prophet.
There is none besides because of His power to bless whom He wills, even the pagan kings, to provide bountifully for his children.
There is none besides because of His total control over the elements he has created - the heavens, the earth and all it's host and the powers therein.
There is none besides because all nations are subject to Him and with all other idols can only be confusion.
There is none besides because He is the only God and Saviour, to whom all honour and glory is due, to whom all knees would ultimately bow down, and all tongues confess.

Let us be continually be awed at our One and Only God and serve Him faithfully and fervently.

The Lord bless our weekend ahead!

in Him
Paul


--
But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. ~ Hebrews 3:13

For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:
And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. ~ Revelation 22:18,19

The Bruised Reed and Smoking Flax

Dear class,

The readings today are taken from Isaiah 41-43.

Isaiah 42 contains the well known quotation by Matthew in Mat 12:17-21.
Here we read of the contrasting servitudes - one of perfect obedience and righteousness, exemplified in Christ and the other of idolatry and disobedience.

The prophecy fulfilled in Christ deserves some attention.

Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles.
He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street.
A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth. ~ Isa 42:1-3

Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles.
He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets.
A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory.
And in his name shall the Gentiles trust. ~ Mat 12:18-21

And as we examine the verses before the the passage above in Mat 12, we see the explanation to the prophecy.
We see Christ as a humble suffering servant. A "bruised reed" as opposed to a towering tree, a "smoking flax" as opposed to a raging bonfire. Yet in all this, the reed is not broken, the flax is not put out. Such is the nature of the ministry of Christ as purposed by God.
A suffering servant indeed with not so much of a fanfare that a humble earthly entry to this world via a feeding tough, and an even more humiliating exit on a cruel cross. Yet Christ fulfilled his purpose in perfect obedience, as God wills (Mar 14:36)

We see this patterned of the apostles. Peter and the apostles declared, "We ought to obey God rather than men." (Act 5:29), in spite of being threatened by the Sanhedrin. Yet always in peaceful, subtle proclamation, in patience, yea indeed "joyful" suffering! (Act 5:40-41).
In spite of his relatively high education and former status among the Pharisees, Paul proclaimed to the reader that he "came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom" and his speech "was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:", with "in weakness, and in fear and in much trembling" (1Co 2:3,4). And of course we read of how much Paul suffered in his life for the cause of Christ (2Co 11:23-28), yet he was the very person to exhort us to "rejoice in the Lord alway"! (Phi 4:4)

Let us learn from our perfect example in Christ (1Pe 2:21) and of the apostles and faithful disciples before us (1Co 11:1; 2Th 3:9), and develop a humble, serving attitude in ourselves, working fervently and zealously yet in quiet industry and God-fearing disposition.

The Lord bless our day ahead.

in Him
Paul

--
But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. ~ Hebrews 3:13

For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:
And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. ~ Revelation 22:18,19

Wait Upon The Lord

Dear class,

Today's readings are taken from 2 Kings 20:1-11; 2 Chronicles 32:24- 26;Isaiah 38:1-22; 40:1-31

We read of how King Hezekiah's life was allowed to to be extended by another 15 years as well as the significant chapter 40 of Isaiah, which includes the prophecy of the ministry of John the Baptizer (Isa 40:3; Mat 3:3).

The concluding verse seem to echo the sentiment of the preacher at the end of the book of Ecclesiastes - the whole duty of man is basically summed up in our obedience and service to Him. Also used in one my favourite hymns "Teach me Lord to Wait"!
The expression "wait upon" is derived from the Hebrew "qavah" and alludes to a patient expectation. While often denoting a patient waiting for, on, in this instance seem logical to take as service of a servant to his Lord.

Gill elaborates:
"As children on their parents, to do them honour, to obey their commands, and receive food and blessings from them; as servants on their masters, to know their pleasure, do their work, and have their wages; as clients on their patrons, to have advice of them, put their cause into their hands, and know how it goes; and as beggars at the door, who knock and wait, tell their case and wait, meet with repulses, yet keep their place, and continue waiting: such an act supposes a knowledge and reverence of God, confidence in him, attendance on him, not with the body only, in public and private, but with the soul also, and with some degree of constancy, and with patience and quietness..."

Truly God is worthy of our service!
He is worthy because he comforts us (v. 1-2)
He is worthy because his promises (his word) stands forever (v.8)
He is worthy because he cares for us as a shepherd to his flock (v.11)
He is worthy because he instructs us in the way of understanding (v.13,14)
He is worthy because he will strengthen all who will serve him (v.29)
He is worthy because he is the awesome God, omnipotent, omniscient, who created all, who is over all, who rules and rewards his faithful servants! (v. 9,10, 15-28)

Let us be encouraged to continue in our patience service, to wait upon The Lord our God, to wait for his bountiful blessings, knowing that He is the Everlasting, Who stands forever and shall strengthen us and not suffer us to faint and fall.

in Him
Paul


--
But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. ~ Hebrews 3:13

Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.
Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar. ~ Proverbs 30:5,6

Be Strong, Fear Not

Dear class,

Today's readings are taken from Isaiah 22:1-14; 34, 35

In spite of the depressing picture that Isaiah paints, the finishing touches come in a bold stroke of pure joy and confidence!

Strengthen ye the weak hands!
Confirm the feeble knees!
Be strong! Fear Not!

Comes Isaiah's rousing, clarion call!

This was the same encouragement given to Joshua, when he was suddenly thrust into the leadership position of none other than his fellow countrymen, knowing very well how stiff-necked and rebellious people they were, which led the nation to wander 40 years in the wilderness. (Jos 1:6,7,9)

It was the same exhortation given to the prophet Elijah, who was at the brink of breakdown, all ready to throw in the towel, yet the Lord provided for him and encouraged and strengthened him. (1Ki 19)

In the context, Isaiah was writing of the dire situation of the Israelite nation, yet there can be little doubt that the inspired prophet was alluding to the Kingdom, the Church, to come and the final day of Appearing. (c.f. 2Ti 4:1; 2Th 1:4-10)

Even in the light of the seeming success of evil doers, of overwhelming odds. Fret not! For vengeance and recompence belongs to the Lord. (Isa 35:4; c.f. Rom 12:19; Deut 32:35)

And in the end of the day, we know that the "ransomed of the Lord", those who have been redeemed, "shall obtain joy and gladness" and of that which is everlasting!

Let us strive on in stedfast fortitude, casting away our fears and ever leaning upon our faithful Lord, who has given us His promises which will never fail.

The Lord bless our day ahead.

in Him
Paul


--
But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. ~ Hebrews 3:13

Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.
Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar. ~ Proverbs 30:5,6

Trust Ye In The Lord Forever

Dear class,

Today's readings are taken from Isaiah 26,27

These 2 chapters conclude a section of 4 chapters that according to Hailey alludes to world judgement and deliverance of God's people.

Amidst the confusion and uncertainty, Isaiah assures the reader of the one thing that really needs to be focussed upon - Trust in God! That is the key to it all.

We note that
1) Trust is "forever". It's a past, present, future endeavour because God utterly worthy of our complete trust and He changes not! (Heb 13:8). There's is no need for us to ever change that approach. In fact as the passage and history in general has shown, whenever God's people put their trust elsewhere, trouble brews. What a blessed assurance! Such great comfort!

2) In The Lord is everlasting strength
The ASV perhaps renders the word 'strength' more aptly as 'rock'. The Lord indeed is our ROCK! (Psa 18:2, etc) Not just any rock but that which is everlasting. The unshakeable foundation upon which man is exhorted to build his house upon if he would be called wise (Mat 7:24,25), and yea indeed upon which Christ built His Church (Mat 16:18). That is the source and motivation of our complete trust.

3) The uniqueness and superiority of God (Is 26:11-15)
Israel has just about seen it all. History repeats itself again and again - there is simply no substitute for the God of Abraham, of Isaac, of Jacob! Even the powers that dominate over the back-sliding Israelites, are but instruments of God's wrath and judgment upon the stiff-necked nation. Not of any value or superiority in themselves but only that which God allows. While the idols are dead, Jehovah is the only true and living God, worthy of our continual praise and trust.

4) God will deliver and establish (Is 26:16ff; 27:1-6; 12-13)
At the end of the day, trust in the Lord is that which will get us our final deliverance and restoration. Isaiah exhorts for patience while the faithful storms it out. In that final great ingathering, those who have not forsaken and have been steadfast till the end, shall come unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem (Heb 12:22,23).

Let us always put our trust in God and act upon that trust, as bro Swayne exhorted us on Sunday from the pulpit, to make a conscious effort for every decision to be based upon a belief and trust in God and His Word.

The Lord bless our day ahead.

In Him
Paul


--
But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. ~ Hebrews 3:13

Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength: ~ Isaiah 26:4