Peace Live A River

This is what the Lord says—
    your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel:
“I am the Lord your God,
    who teaches you what is best for you,
    who directs you in the way you should go.
If only you had paid attention to my commands,
    your peace would have been like a river,
    your well-being like the waves of the sea.

                                    (Isaiah 48:17-18 NIV)

 

Indeed! The Lord does know what is best for us. But, we often think we know better than God. We often choose the wrong paths and find ourselves in chaotic messes trying to figure out what went wrong and how in the world we're going to find some semblance of peace. What went wrong sometimes happens to be is that we rejected the Word of the Lord; we have rejected those things that our Father in heaven has sought to teach us. We have rejected the good gifts that He desires us to have and have chosen to follow in the ways of the world and we ultimately find ourselves wallowing in the depths of despair.

 

The world is a mess. We've helped to make it that way. But, no matter what kind of mess you find yourself in you can know peace. It is the peace that only God can give to us. In the midst of the storms, we can know peace that flows forever like a river. We can know peace as refreshing as the cool waters of a gently flowing river.

 

Do not fear! Do not despair! God is with you. Listen to Him and know the peace that only He can give. 

 

God's Peace - Pr. J

Isaiah 43 - I Am With You.

The LORD tells Israel, He tells us: "Do not be afraid, for I am with you..." (Isa 43:5 NIV) He promises release from bondage. He promises redemption. He promises salvation.

"Do not be afraid, for I am with you..." How often we need to hear those words! Do not be afraid. God is with you. We often find ourselves in bondage to a variety of issues we are struggling to figure and work out for ourselves or someone we love. Maybe it's financial difficulties or an illness that may not have a known remedy or one that can't even be diagnosed that makes us feel like we are bearing a yoke too heavy to bear.

It sometimes feels as though we are lost in a thick forest with no signs of a path to lead us out. We find ourselves journeying through the wilderness and feeling like we are making that journey quite alone.  Be not afraid. You are not alone. The LORD, who created and redeemed you has not deserted you. He is with you. The word of the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior, promises this.

God is with you and may He help you to know and recognize the peace that is with His presence (that is His presence). God's Peace - Pr. J

Isaiah 31 - The LORD Alone Saves

Again, we hear that those who trust in Egypt rather than God for their salvation from the Assyrians will fall.

But the Egyptians are mere mortals and not God;
their horses are flesh and not spirit.
When the Lord stretches out his hand,
those who help will stumble,
those who are helped will fall;
all will perish together. (Isa 31:3 NIV)

All of the shepherds in the world will not be able to save God's people from the roaring lion (Assyria). There is only One who can save them. That is the LORD, the Holy One of Israel. Assyria will indeed fall, just as all who come against God's faithful people will fall. They will not fall by any plan of man, but because that is the lot of those who continue to refuse God's will.

How about you? How about your community? Is it the LORD's will that you are concerned about or is it man's will? Be aware! Do not encourage or enable those who choose their own way over the LORD's Way. I say it again:  there is only one way.  Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.  (John 14:6)

Return to the One you have so greatly revolted against. Reject the idols of silver and gold your sinful hands have made. (Isa 31:6-7) Return to the LORD and dwell under the shelter of His wings. (Psalm 61:4)

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Isaiah 17 - Woe To Those Who Think Too Highly Of The Work of Their Own Hands

"In that day people will look to their Maker and turn their eyes to the Holy One of Israel. They will not look to the altars, the work of their hands, and they will have no regard for the Asherah poles and the incense altars their fingers have made. (Isa 17:7-8 NIV)

Does is really have to get that bad before people will look to their Maker, the Holy One of Israel? It just amazes me that we have to face destruction, even live through it, before we give up trusting in the work of our own hands, before we turn and trust the LORD. 

Isaiah prophecies that the people will plant and they will grow, yet the harvest will be worthless. The work of their hands will come to nothing. They will be hungry. He prophecies against those who rage like the stormy sea. "In the evening, sudden terror! Before the morning, they are gone! This is the portion of those who loot us, the lot of those who plunder us." (vs 14)

Woe to those who rage against others. Woe to those who plot secretly to destroy them. Do you not know that you will not prevail? Do you not know that you are bringing an end to yourself? Leave off trusting in your own ability to prevail. You are not a god. Leave off trusting in your false gods.

Return to the LORD, look to your Maker, and rejoice for our Father has mercy on all who hear His Word and believe. Live life justly!

God's Peace - Pr. J

Proverbs 7 - Adultery - Idolatry

We're still being warned about adultery... being told to cling to our sister, wisdom, and steer clear of those who would lead you into adulterous affairs. It does not matter whether you are male or female, the word and the wisdom of the word seems pretty clear. It leads to the chambers of death.

God has given us so much life, so much good life, why seek after something that will only bring chaos, pain and sorrow into your lives and the lives of those around you whom you love?

So you say you've never committed adultery? If you recall Isaiah 54:5 (NIV) "For your Maker is your husband— the Lord Almighty is his name— the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; he is called the God of all the earth." Whenever you have chased after false gods, you have not only committed idolatry, you have also committed adultery. Your maker is your husband. Do not chase after any other gods. Do not be seduced by them.

May God who is faithful to you, help you to be faithful in all that you do.

God's Peace - Pr. J