But My Salvation Shall Be For Ever

Dear class,

Happy Chinese New Year to the Chinese brethren and happy holidays to all!

Today's readings are taken from Isaiah 50-52 and Mark 12:28-44

In Isaiah 50 onwards, Isaiah continues his discourse from chapter 48 in review and rebuke of the Israelite nation. Turning to a positive, encouraging note, Isaiah exhorts the people to follow after righteousness and not trust in perishable mammon.

The people are reminded of the greatness of God in all His wonders evident in nature and demonstrated to the Israelites.
v.9-10 is a reminder of God bringing the Israelites out of Egypt (c.f. Ex 13:9). "Rahab", which means "proud, strength" and "dragon" symbolically refers to the physically powerful and most probably in this case refers to Egypt, as we read on in v.10.
In general, the people are reminded not to be fearful of the worldly oppressors. (v. 7,12)
These, as are the sufferings of the people were but temporal and as long as Israel turned to God, He will offer succor that is without annulment.

Certainly reminds us of the teachings of our Lord in Mat 10:28 - And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
Truly, nothing will be able to separate us from the love of God, if we were to turn wholly unto Him (Rom 8:38,39)
Our trials on this earth are but for a moment, to remind us of a greater glory to come. Wherefore Paul exhorts us to seek after things "not seen", which are eternal, instead of that which are temporal (2Co 4:17,18).
And what a great comfort that Isaiah reminds us that salvation from God is not temporal but forever! (Isa 51:6,8) A salvation found in an everlasting kingdom (2Pe 1:11), for a peculiar people sanctified in Christ (1Pe 2:9; Heb 10:10).

Even as we go about our festivities, let us be continually be grateful to the providence of God and keep our sights upon the things which are above and lead others to do the same. (Col 3:2)

The Lord bless our day ahead.

in Him
Paul


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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
Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. ~ 1Corinthians 1:25