October 13, 2020 Isaiah cont..., Proverbs cont...

 Isaiah 40

Comfort for God's people

Comfort, comfort my people; says our God. 

Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for, that she has received from the Lord's hand double for all her sins. 

Oh great city of Jerusalem your sins have been paid for. 

 Jerusalem has received double for her sins. This is God's attitude toward the people after he deals with them. How much more is his attitude like this towards those who accept Jesus Christ. During this time the people were expecting the Messiah because he would deliver them from their sins. How much more is he pleased with those who believe.

We have the beautiful gift of forgiveness through Jesus, he would also deliver his people from their sins. 

As we read the bible think about all the wonderful ways Jesus delivers us from our sins?

He is compassionate, he delivers us from the hand of the enemy, he taught them all, he healed those who needed healing, He forgave all, he blessed the people, and walked with the people.

• He teaches us the ways of God
• To bless and not curse
• To pray and not faint
• How to have faith in God
• How to deal with difficult people

Just like the woman caught in the act of adultery he delivered her and his act of mercy changed her.

Or the disciples fishing the great haul of fish with Jesus they felt unworthy to have such a great blessing from God.

We get to believe and trust him.

Jesus is great.

His words are powerful.

He is humble and stable.

He is a teacher

He is wise.

He has the spirit of knowledge

He has the Holy Spirit 

He understands men, women, and life in general. 

 A voice of one calling; In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain. And the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all the people will see it together for the mouth of the Lord has spoken. 

A voice say, "Cry out"

And I said, "What shall I cry?"

All people are like grass, 

and all their faithfulness is like the flowers fall, 

because the breath of the Lord blows on them. 

Surely the people are grass. 

The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever. 

We are like grass that withers and flowers that fade, but his word endures forever. The voice tells the prophet to cry out, and he says what shall I cry? Cry out that people are like grass. 

Their faithfulness is like the flowers fall and God blows on them.

What blows on them? 

God himself. 

Picture a mass of people and picture a grass field. It has thousands of grasses but when the wind comes they all will lean to one side. 

Isaiah describes himself as a man of unclean lips and the angels touches his mouth with a coal.  This passage says our faithfulness is like the flowers fall but the word of God endures forever. 

You who bring good news to Zion, 

go up on a high mountain. 

you who bring good news to Jerusalem.

lift up your voice with a shout, lift it up, do not be afraid; 

say to the towns of Judah, Here is your God!

See, the sovereign Lord comes with power, 

and he rules with a mighty arm. See, his reward is with him, 

and his recompense accompanies him. He tends his flock like a shepherd; he gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart, he gently leads those that young. 

In order to be saved; you have to accept the savior. Sadly some people will not believe in the words spoken by God and in that day some did  not believe the Messiah will come. 

Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, 

or with the breadth of his hand marked off the heavens?

Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket, 

or weighted the mountains on the scales 

and the hills in a balance? Who can fathom the spirit? of the Lord, 

or instruct the Lord as his counselor?

Whom did the Lord consult to enlighten him, and who taught

him the right way? Who was it that taught him knowledge, 

or showed him the path of understanding? Surely the nations are 

like a drop in the bucket; they are regarded as dust on the scales

he weighs the islands as though they were fine dust. Lebanon is

not sufficient for altar fires, nor its animals enough for burnt

offerings; Before him all the nations are as nothing; they are

 regarded by him as worthless and less than nothing. 

With whom, then, will you compare God? To what image

will you liken him? As for an idol, a metal worker casts it, 

and a goldsmith overlays it with gold and fashions silver chains

for it. A person too poor to present such an offering selects

wood that will not rot; they look for a skilled worker to set up

an idol that will not topple. 

Do you not know?

have you not heard?

Has it not been told you from the beginning? 

Have you not understood since the earth was founded?

He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth, 

and its people are like grasshoppers. He stretches 

out the heavens like a canopy, and spreads them 

out like a tent to live in. He brings princes to naught

and reduces the rulers of this world to nothing, no sooner 

are they sown, no sooner do they take root in the ground, 

than he blows on them and they wither, and a whirlwind 

sweep them away like chaff. 

The grass withers and the flowers fade

but the word of God endures forever. 

God blows on people and like the chaff they are swept away.  

Psalms 1 King David says:

Blessed is the one 

who does not walk in step with the wicked

or stand in the way that sinners take or sit

in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of 

Lord, and who mediates on his law day and night. 

that person is like a tree planted by streams of water, 

which yields its fruit in season whose leaf does not wither

whatsoever they do prospers. Not so the wicked!

They are like the chaff that the wind blows away. 

Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgement, 

nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. For 

the way of the wicked leads to destruction. 

To whom will you compare me?

Or who is my equal? says the Holy One. 

Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens. 

Who created all these?

He who brings out the starry host one by one. 

and calls forth each of them by name.

Because of his great power and mighty strength,  

not one of them is missing. 

Why do you complain, Jacob?

Why do you say, Israel, My way is hidden from the Lord; 

my cause is disregarded by my God?

Do we really complain against God? Yes. We do it in our attitudes. 

Do we really think we are hidden from God? Yes.

It is possible to be grateful and thankful to God in the midst of issues and negative circumstances. Why thank him in the midst of problems. I think it's about knowing that God is in control, he loves you, and he will not let a situation or problem destroy you. It is also like surrendering to his plan and purpose for us.  Even when we are being mocked and mistreated by the enemy who says where is your God? Where is  your help? We still can be grateful and thankful to God. If we complain it seems like things get worse. God does not change situations because he feels sorry for us but I think he wants to see change within us. In our attitudes, our thoughts, and in general. 

Jesus had mercy on the blind man and he opened his eyes. It is always his will to help us and heal us. 

Do you know?

Have you heard?

The Lord is everlasting God, 

the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will grow tired 

or weary, and his  understanding  no one can fathom. 

He gives strength to the weary, and young men stumble and fall, 

but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength, 

they will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow

weary, they will walk and not be faint. 

HANG ON TO HOPE

When issues arise if you keep your HOPE IN GOD

God will give you strength

He will renew their strength

you will soar on wings like eagles

you run and not grow weary

you will walk and not be faint. 

Proverbs 

Sayings of the wise

Saying 23

Wisdom is too high for fools; in the assembly at the gate

they must not open their mouths. 

Have a great day!