May 12 -- "Faith Over Fear"

 Today's Reading: Isaiah 8

"Faith Over Fear"

In our modern world, the internet and social media can quickly spread and amplify various conspiracy theories, creating confusion, fearfulness, and division among people. We may find ourselves tempted to believe in grand plots or secretive schemes to explain complex events or to gain a sense of control over uncertain situations.

In today’s passage, the prophet Isaiah delivers a vital message to the people of Judah. He encourages them not to follow the ways of the world or be swayed by the conspiracy theories which only breed fear and anxiety. Instead, they are urged to trust in God alone.

The term "conspiracy" in this passage refers to the fear and plots of the people of Judah. During this time, the nation was facing external threats, and there was a sense of panic and unease among the people. They were tempted to form alliances with other nations and seek worldly solutions to their problems rather than trusting in God's guidance and protection. Instead of placing their faith in the Almighty, they were entertaining conspiracy theories and looking for secret schemes to secure their safety.

The allure of conspiracy theories is not a new phenomenon; it has persisted throughout history and continues to impact people today. Just as Isaiah warned the people of Judah against being consumed by fear and seeking security in human alliances, we too must be cautious not to fall into the trap of conspiracy thinking.

As followers of Christ, we are called to a higher standard. Remember, the Apostle Paul warned against getting entangled in endless myths and genealogies (1 Timothy 1:4), and we should apply the same principle to conspiracy theories.

Rather than being swept away by the tide of conspiracy thinking, let's anchor ourselves in the truth of God's Word. Let's explore the depths of Scripture, finding genuine revelations that bring us closer to God's heart. Let's not be conspiracy theorists but rather believers who firmly stand on the solid foundation of God's truth. As we do, we will find peace in the midst of uncertainty and courage in the face of fear.

May 11 -- "Woe is Me!"

 Today's Reading: Isaiah 6 & 7

"Woe is Me!"

There is no escaping the truth that when we see God as He is, we see ourselves as we are. And it is never a pleasant sight. In Isaiah 6, we witness the prophet's profound and raw encounter with the holiness of God. 

Isaiah finds himself in the Temple, beholding the Lord, high and lifted up, surrounded by heavenly beings. In the presence of such majestic glory, Isaiah can't help but acknowledge his own unworthiness, exclaiming, "Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips."  The contrast between God's holiness and Isaiah's sinfulness is stark and profound, highlighting the vast difference between the Creator and His creation.

God’s holiness means that He is perfectly pure, morally flawless, and completely separate from all sin. He dwells in unapproachable light, and the heavenly beings around His throne continuously proclaim His holiness with the refrain, "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts" (Isaiah 6:3). His holiness is so overwhelming that even the seraphim, celestial beings devoted to worship, cover their faces and feet in His presence.

On the other hand, when Isaiah sees God's holiness, he becomes acutely aware of his own sinfulness. He exclaims, "Woe is me!” recognizing that he falls drastically and hopelessly short of God's perfect standard. As a human, he is tainted by sin, and as a prophet, he has not been immune to sinful thoughts, words, or actions. 

This "woe is me” moment is a crucial and transformative experience that every Christ-follower should encounter in their spiritual journey. It is a moment of profound self-awareness, where we come face to face with the reality of our sinfulness and our desperate need for God's grace and mercy.

This woe is me moment fosters true humility, repentance, dependency on God, gratitude for grace, compassion for others, deeper faith, and a renewed focus on the significance of eternity. It is a step toward a deeper relationship with God and a greater understanding of His grace and mercy. So, approach this process with a heart that is open to change and a desire to draw nearer to God, recognizing that your “woe is me” moment is the start of a glorious transformation from your sinful state into the very image of His holy Son, Jesus Christ.

May 10 -- "Upside-Down Morality"

 Today's Reading: Isaiah 5

"Upside-Down Morality"

In this verse, the prophet Isaiah delivers a warning about the dangers of moral relativism and moral confusion. He speaks of a society much like ours today that has lost its way, calling evil "good" and good "evil." It's like navigating through an upside-down world where right and wrong are flipped, leaving people disoriented and lost in a moral maze.

The relevance of Isaiah's warning couldn't be more apparent in our times. We live in an age of constant information bombardment, where opinions are plentiful, and truth is often obscured. The moral compass seems to be spinning wildly, and it's easy to be swayed by popular beliefs, regardless of their ethical standing.

One example of this is by calling abortion a matter of “personal choice” and framing it as a “reproductive right”, society diminishes the value of human life, disregarding the unborn child's inherent dignity and worth. Such relativistic thinking allows for subjective and situational ethics, making it difficult to draw clear lines on when life should be protected.

Let us not be deceived by the trends of the world or the clever arguments of those who twist the truth. Instead, let's anchor ourselves in God's Word, where true morality is found. Embrace the wisdom taught by godly teachers and mentors, for they can help us navigate this topsy-turvy world.

In this world with values constantly flipping like a fish out of water, hold on to the eternal truths of God's Word. Only God's truth reflects reality. So, let's navigate this crazy world with God's wisdom as our compass and yardstick of truth.

In addressing cancel culture and other instances of moral relativism, let us approach these issues with discernment, grace, and a commitment to upholding God's truth. We can be a positive influence in a world that often struggles to find consistent moral footing, demonstrating the love and wisdom of Christ in our actions and attitudes.

May 9 -- "The Branch of Hope"

 Today's Reading: Isaiah 3 & 4

"The Branch of Hope"

We have embarked on a journey through the marvelous words of Isaiah, the great prophet of Israel. In today’s verse, the prophet paints a captivating picture of hope, speaking of a branch - the Branch of the Lord. It may sound like a botanical reference, but it is a whole lot deeper than that.

This Branch points straight to our beloved Savior, Jesus Christ! Just as a branch sprouts from a tree, our Savior emerged from the lineage of King David. He embodies the very essence of hope and salvation, bringing forth abundant life to all who seek Him.

The term "the Branch" is referenced in other parts of the Bible, and it is fascinating to explore those passages to gain a deeper understanding of its significance. For example, Jeremiah 23:5 says, "Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land." (Also see: Jeremiah 33:15 and Zechariah 3:8, 6:12.)

These references from Jeremiah and Zechariah further reinforce the Messianic significance of "the Branch." It's a beautiful tapestry woven throughout the prophetic writings, pointing to Jesus Christ as the long-awaited Savior, the righteous King from the lineage of David. He comes to establish justice, righteousness, and bring salvation to all who believe in Him. Can you feel the hope in Isaiah’s words?

Despite being written thousands of years ago, today’s verse from Isaiah still holds profound relevance and application for modern-day Christians. Just as the people of ancient times looked forward to the coming of the Messiah, Jesus Christ has already come as the fulfillment of this prophecy. Modern-day Christians find hope in the finished work of Christ on the cross. We have experienced the fulfillment of God's promises through His death and resurrection, giving us hope for eternal life and victory over sin and death.

This reminds us of our hope in Christ, our need to abide in Him, the promise of restoration and renewal, our representation of Christ's kingship, the call to bear spiritual fruit, and the eager anticipation of His return. Embracing these truths empowers us to live purposefully and faithfully in our walk with the Lord in our present age.

May 8 -- "Hiking God's Mountain"

 Today's Reading: Isaiah 2

"Hiking God's Mountain"

Today's verse invites us to take a hike up the majestic mountain of the Lord. Isaiah beckons us to ascend to His house and receive divine wisdom from the ultimate source Himself, our loving Creator. Referring literally, of course, to Mount Zion, the location of the Lord’s Temple, the mountain also symbolizes the place of God’s holy presence, where His teachings flow like streams of refreshing water. This is a place all of us can freely access anytime or any place.

But how can we hike up the mountain of the Lord? Finding our way to the mountain of wisdom described in Isaiah 2:3 requires a sort of “spiritual GPS” and fortunately, the Bible provides us with clear directions. Here's how to get there:

Prayer: Begin by praying and seeking God's guidance. Ask Him to lead you to His mountain of wisdom and to open your heart and mind to receive His teachings.

Study God's Word: The Bible is our map and compass. Delve into its pages, study the Scriptures, and meditate on its truths. God's Word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path (Psalm 119:105).

Seek Wise Counsel: Surround yourself with fellow hikers who are also on the journey to gain wisdom. Seek the guidance of mentors, pastors, and wise believers who can share their experiences and insights with you.

Humility: As we trek up the mountain, we must approach God with humility. Acknowledge that He is the ultimate source of wisdom, and we are in constant need of His guidance.

Obedience: It's not enough to know the way; we must walk in it. This is the whole purpose of gaining wisdom from above: so we will walk in His paths. Obey God's commands and follow His precepts, trusting that His ways are best for our lives.

Faith: Sometimes, the path may seem steep or unclear, but keep the faith! Trust that God is with you on the journey, and His promises are true.

Perseverance: Climbing a mountain takes effort and endurance. There may be challenges and obstacles along the way, but don't give up. Keep pressing on, knowing that the reward of wisdom is worth it. Oh, what joy and satisfaction awaits the hiker whose God teaches us His ways!

Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord!

May 7 -- "Reasoning That Defies Reason"

 Today's Reading: Isaiah 1

"Reasoning That Defies Reason"

In Isaiah 1:18, the Lord opens His door and beckons us to come and “reason” together with Him. The Hebrew word for “reason” carries the meaning of "to prove, to decide, to correct, to reprove, or to argue." It shows God's desire to engage in a conversation with His people, especially regarding their sinful behavior. And then He makes a staggering statement that totally defies all logic and reason – our “red. scarlet, crimson” sins shall be made “as white as snow, white like wool.”  What!?!

Ah, the paradoxical beauty of God's incredible statement! Indeed, the Lord's declaration that He will transform our scarlet sins into wool-like whiteness is one of those divine mysteries that leave us in awe of His boundless love and mercy.

From a human perspective, it seems utterly illogical that our deeply stained sins, as red as scarlet, could ever be made as pure and white as wool. It's like trying to turn a blazing bonfire into a snowflake! Yet, this is precisely what God promises to do through His forgiveness.

This idea of reasoning together with God conveys His compassion and patience. He is not a distant and uncaring deity, but rather a loving Father who desires a relationship with His children. Despite our rebellion and sinful ways, God reaches out, offering an opportunity for repentance and restoration.

The “unreasonableness” of Isaiah 1:18 is a reflection of the unfathomable grace of God. It shows that His ways are higher than our ways and His thoughts beyond our comprehension (Isaiah 55:8-9). He offers forgiveness and cleansing, not because of anything we have done, but because of His nature – a nature of love and compassion that defies our human standards of justice.

As we grapple with the unreasonableness of this verse, let it remind us of our need to humbly accept God's gracious offer of forgiveness. It encourages us to approach Him with childlike faith, trusting in His love and embracing the incredible gift of redemption through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ. In doing so, we can find comfort in God's divine logic, knowing that His ways, though beyond our understanding, are perfect and just.

May 6 -- "Uzziah's Secret to Prosperity"

 Today's Reading: 2 Chronicles 26

"Uzziah's Secret to Prosperity"

Have you noticed the myriad of “prosperity systems” being pushed on people today? Social media platforms are abounding with offers to share “secret” side hustles with you that will make you unbelievable wealthy. These systems often push ideas like "passive income" or investing secrets that are sure to result in massive returns. In fact, many "get rich quick" schemes focus on material gain and present it as a sign of God's favor. They promise a life of fulfillment, leisure, happiness, and success to those who implement their system.

The world around us teaches that the path to happiness lies in material wealth. But the Bible’s definition of “prosperity” is profoundly contrary to this definition. The Bible teaches that true fulfillment and happiness comes from a relationship with God without regard to your degree of material wealth. God may bless us with financial success, or He may not. But none of that matters because we can only truly “prosper” when we are vibrantly connected to Him.

In today’s verse we read, "As long as he sought the Lord, God made him prosper." This is a powerful statement that underscores the essential connection between seeking God and experiencing true “prosperity.” In the context of King Uzziah's life, this phrase emphasizes the direct correlation between his devotion to God and the success and blessings he enjoyed during his reign.

The verse highlights that Uzziah's first and foremost pursuit was seeking God. He wasn't seeking power, wealth, success, or fame. He recognized the importance of aligning his life with God's will and sought to know God intimately. This serves as a crucial lesson for us, too, as we should prioritize seeking God in our lives above all else. This is not to be construed as a guarantee of material or financial prosperity. We should never seek those things. We, like Uzziah, should prioritize seeking “the Lord.”

Moreover, we are invited to trust in God's goodness and providence. We can find comfort in knowing that when we seek God wholeheartedly, He is faithful to bless us according to His perfect plan for our lives through spiritual growth, personal development, spiritual fulfillment, and, on occasion, material prosperity.