Day 231 (Saturday) – Isaiah 50-54

Some people are quick to cite that some calamity or disaster is a result of God’s judgment on a people. I can remember hearing it said that the Twin Towers fell on 911 because of America’s sin and recently I heard that the earthquake in Haiti was a result of the sin the Haitian people committed when they made a pact with the Devil 200 years ago.

Who are we to claim to know God’s judgment on any specific people group or nation? These comments are foolish, unless God has placed us in the role of prophet like he did with Isaiah. As I read the Scriptures I see that we all will receive our just reward for following or ignoring God. But in chapter 50 it seems that God is judging the people. It takes confession and repentance to get right with God again. I was fascinated when I read that the Haitian people were holding a day of prayer and asking for forgiveness. Does this confirm the claims of others?

No matter what the reason, tragedy and suffering create an opportunity to reflect and reevaluate our lives. The key is staying close and connected to God in the good and the bad.

Day 230 (Friday) - Isaiah 45-49

I love the imagery in chapter 46 of the two Babylonian god’s Bel and Nebo. They were a physical burden for the people to carry and as a result they were captured. Then God tells his people that he has carried them since birth. Unlike the man created idols that must be carried, the real God carries his people.

I get weary from carrying the idols I make. Keeping up with the Jones’, the endless pursuit of beauty (I lost this one years ago), and sacrificing anything and everything to the idol of comfort. The burden becomes too much. I can hear God say, “Come to me, all who are weary and carry heavy burdens and I will give you rest.”

Day 229 (Thursday) - Isaiah 41-44

Babylon has captured the people and they are in one of the worst conditions since Egypt. They are in need of a deliverer like Moses was to the Israelites in Egypt. God begins to reveal that there will be a deliverer that he will send. A deliverer that will save the people from the east to the west and everywhere in-between. The people have been trusting in everything but God and God wants them to be sure that they realize that nothing will save them but Him.

It reminds me of the Rich Mullin’s song, “My Deliverer is Coming”

Day 228 (Wednesday) - Isaiah 37:30-40:31

Get ready for the shift. God saved Judah from the attacking Assyrians and even extended Hezekiah’s life, but Hezekiah returns to his prideful ways once the pressure is off and everything seems to be okay. As a result, God prepares the next chapter in the life of Judah, the Assyrians are gone but Babylon is on the horizon.

It reminds me how common it is for me to call out to God when I am in need and then rely on myself when things seem fine. My own pride gets in the way and as a result, my own Babylon is on the horizon. It would be better for me to learn that I need God at all times and to trust in him in the good and the bad.

Day 227 (Tuesday) - Isaiah 33:1-37:29

We are seeing a significant shift in the book through the chapters we read today and some of what we will read tomorrow. We are moving from prophecy to history as we make our way through chapters 36-39. The material has already been covered in 2 Kings 18-20 and again in a much shortened version in 2 Chronicles 32. Chapters 36=37 are looking back and 38-39 are looking forward.

The predictions that Isaiah made came true and Sennacherib attacked and captured the cities of Judah. Through this Assyrian attack, King Hezekiah realizes the sins of the people and restores his dependence on God. As a result, God judges the Assyrian army.

Is it ever too late to return to Christ?

Day 226 (Monday) - Isaiah 28:23-32:20

Egypt was one of the nations that God had judged, but the people of Jerusalem decided to make a pact with them anyway. The people continue to turn to sources other than God for protection and help. God condemns them in chapter 31 and 32. It is God who should defend his people, not Egypt

Day 225 (Sunday) - Isaiah 24:7-28:22

Chapter 27 starts off talking about the Leviathan. Do you believe in sea monsters? In Canaanite mythology, Leviathan was the monster of the sea and associated with chaos. Was Isaiah drawing from this belief to draw an illustration of Satan or was he painting a picture of the gentile nations? Or was he really speaking of a sea monster?