Day 87 – Treasure In Turmoil
Isaiah 33:5-6 The Lord is exalted, for He dwells on high; He has filled Zion with justice and righteousness. And He will be the stability of your times, A wealth of salvation, wisdom and knowledge; The fear of the Lord is his treasure.
Story: Life is very chaotic and difficult for Israel. There is destruction and betrayal with the threat of more to come (v. 1). People are fleeing (v. 3). Isaiah is praying for grace, strength, and salvation in a time of distress (v. 2). And then verse 5 changes our perspective, like we leave behind the noisy clamor of panic on earth and are elevated into the quiet peace of God’s presence. The LORD is still exalted; He still dwells on high. And yet, He responds to the crisis of His people. He fills their capital city with justice and righteousness. He gives stability, plus strength, wisdom, and knowledge. The great treasure from the LORD, though, is the fear of the LORD. Difficult times often cause us to lose focus of our God, but fearing the LORD means we retain the truth of His presence, His love, His good plans, and His power.
My Prayer Response: Father, I didn’t get this verse at first, but thank You for opening my eyes and heart to understand. I may wish certain things would never have happened to me. But going forward is solely about fearing You. Looking to You who is exalted and reigning on high. Waiting on You to provide gifts of stability, strength, wisdom, and knowledge. Persevering in fearing You, trusting in You through the difficulty. Thank You for being near to each of us in our distress. Be gracious to us, O LORD!
May the fear of the LORD be your treasure today!
Day 88 – Your God Will Come!
Isaiah 35:3-4 Encourage the exhausted, and strengthen the feeble. Say to those with anxious heart, “Take courage, fear not. Behold, your God will come with vengeance; The recompense of God will come, But He will save you.”
Story: At times, today and tomorrow look pretty grim. What is the hope? To those exhausted and feeble about life, to those anxious of heart about the future comes this message of hope in God. Because God is coming, do not fear. With His coming is vengeance and recompense; that is, He will give just consequences to the guilty. But also with His coming, God will save His people. So these verses become a Gospel appeal: make sure you belong to the LORD; make sure you are one of His through believing in Jesus Christ, His Son!
My Prayer Response: Father, last night, I got some news that makes me feel a little feeble and anxious. As we’ve seen before, I need to fix my eyes and my thoughts on You. Specifically, that You are coming. This – my life – is only temporary. All the wrongs of life will be judged. And only Your people, only in Christ can I or anyone else be saved. I still have the news to handle, but I don’t bear the burden alone. You are in charge! You will resolve everything one day – maybe today. Come quickly, Lord Jesus!
May you look for the soon return of Jesus today!
Day 89 – A Good Interruption
Isaiah 40:9 Get yourself up on a high mountain, O Zion, bearer of good news, Lift up your voice mightily, O Jerusalem, bearer of good news; Lift it up, do not fear. Say to the cities of Judah, “Here is your God!”
Story: Preaching most every Sunday has really helped me in overcoming my fear of public speaking. But I’m still afraid in moments where I have to get people’s attention to say something. If I’m going to interrupt people, I need to be convinced that I have something worth saying in that interruption. Which is what is happening in Isaiah 40. Jerusalem, as it were, has to interrupt whatever is going on for the cities of Judah. She has a crucial message of good news that she must shout loudly and without any fear or hesitation. The message? Here is your God! Into the midst of all the turmoil, distress, and hurt the cities of Judah are currently experiencing, they need to be interrupted with the truth that God is present and is coming with power, reward, and compassion (v. 10-11).
My Prayer Response: Father, thank You for helping me see and understand what is going on in this passage. Interrupt my day and my plans please; I need to get my focus off myself and my problems and onto You – and Your power, reward, and compassion. Give me boldness to interrupt others with the good news of who Jesus is – and that He is coming soon!
May your day be interrupted with the good news of Jesus!
Day 90 – The LORD will help you
Isaiah 41:10, 13-14 “Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. … For I am the Lord your God, who upholds your right hand, Who says to you, ‘Do not fear, I will help you.’ Do not fear, you worm Jacob, you men of Israel; I will help you,” declares the Lord, “and your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel.”
Story: Three times, God repeats ‘Do not fear; I am with you.’ Two times, He says ‘I will hold/uphold you with my right hand.’ Israel was at a low point in its history, which is why there’s the reference to worm in v. 14. But even at their lowest low, God has still chosen them (v. 8), and He will work for their good. No matter how weak and helpless they may feel at the moment, they must trust God. He will help them; He will strengthen them; He will uphold them. Because of who God is and not because of their circumstances, Israel is not to fear.
My Prayer Response: Father, what comfort and assurance for Your people, Israel in these verses! And the truth applies to me and Your people in Christ today! You are our help! Jesus is with us, our Redeemer! Let us be strong, not fearful today in Jesus and the power of His might!
May the LORD strengthen and help you today!
Day 91 – Through Flood and Fire
Isaiah 43:1-2, 5 But now, thus says the Lord, your Creator, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel, “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine! When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, Nor will the flame burn you. … Do not fear, for I am with you; I will bring your offspring from the east, And gather you from the west.
Story: God continues to speak words of comfort and assurance to His people, Israel. Verse 1 starts with a contrast to what Israel is experiencing, as they undergo discipline from God for their sinful disobedience (42:24-25). So Israel might think God has rejected them, or refused to help them. But no matter what they go through, He will be with them. He cannot forget or forsake the ones He has formed by hand; Israel is precious in His sight (v. 3). God will bring His people back together and back to Himself!
My Prayer Response: Father, while I know that I sin, I don’t like to face the consequences of my disobedience. And yet, here is this truth of Your unfailing love, Your deep care, and Your faithfulness. You are with us, no matter what we go through. Right now, it feels like going through the fire, with challenge after challenge. But I do not fear, for You are with me!
May you know the LORD is with you today!