Read 2 Kings 21:17-26, 2 Chronicles 33:20-23
 
2 Kings 23:25-27 Never before had there been a king like Josiah, who turned to the LORD with all his heart and soul and strength, obeying all the laws of Moses. And there has never been a king like him since. 26 Even so, the LORD was very angry with Judah because of all the wicked things Manasseh had done to provoke him. 27 For the LORD said, “I will also banish Judah from my presence just as I have banished Israel. And I will reject my chosen city of Jerusalem and the Temple where my name was to be honored.”
 
THE LORD promised judgment on Judah even as the righteous Josiah became king. To this point, God has been willing to forgive the Jews’ sins. He has even in many circumstances protected his disobedient people by destroying powerful armies. His gracious forgiveness is on constant display. But what is different here? Why does Josiah’s righteous rule not turn away God’s condemnation from Judah?  
   The LORD answers our question in Jeremiah 3:7-10 “I thought, ‘After she (Israel) has done all this, she will return to me.’ But she did not return, and her faithless sister Judah saw this. 8 She saw that I divorced faithless Israel because of her adultery. But that treacherous sister Judah had no fear, and now she, too, has left me and given herself to prostitution. 9 Israel treated it all so lightly. She thought nothing of committing adultery by worshiping idols made of wood and stone. So now the land has been polluted. 10 But despite all this, her faithless sister Judah has never sincerely returned to me. She has only pretended to be sorry. I, the LORD, have spoken!”
   Even as some returned to true worship, some returned with unfaithful hearts. There was a casual attitude toward sin, repentance and forgiveness. God’s people believed repentance was to say, “I’m sorry.” and then return to the sin. Repentance, though, is fully turning from sin, so you can completely turn to God. To escape danger, one must turn around to go far away. That must be our pathway from sin, putting greater and greater distance from danger of destruction. It is an adultery of the soul to say, “I repent. Forgive me, LORD.” And then continue doing the same sin. Jesus said it this way: “No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other.” (Luke 16:13a)
   When a nation’s, a church’s or family’s leader seeks a righteous life, true change will only come to the followers when they leave sins behind. Most of Judah did not follow Josiah. Soon they would follow Babylon into captivity.   

Nahum 1:15-18 Look! A messenger is coming over the mountains with good news! He is bringing a message of peace. Celebrate your festivals,  O Judah, and fulfill your vows, for your wicked enemies will never invade your land again. They will be completely destroyed.

Nahum is primarily a prophecy of Assyria's and its capital city Nineveh's destruction. This is about 150 years after the Almighty God sent Jonah to call Nineveh to repentance through Jonah. If repentance does not go forward from generation to generation, the LORD God will judge the evil that results. History records the Assyrian leaders returned to pagan worship and engaged in extremely violent warfare. Nahum says this will end. And it did. God used Babylon and other nations to destroy Assyria.
Then comes good news. Out of Assyria's defeat will come peace to Judah for a time. Judah will know when theat happens because a messenger will come to tell the good news of the evil empire's defeat.

God's people will be able to celebrate the three primary festivals of Passover, Pentecost and Tabernacles. They will be able o make vows to the LORD and keep them. God's peace in the land will allow Judah to worship God as he requires.  Did Judah use this peace as God directed? Again, the key to Judah's lasting peace would be to carry the message forward from place to place and generation to generation. They needed to obey God's commands of Deuteronomy 6, to tell their children and to tell all of their faith. The message of God's justice, power and salvation must be told over and over, so all will know.

Today our work is the same. We are blessed to know the Messenger has come with the marvelous goo news of salvation, of peace for our souls forever. Romans 10:8-9 The message is very close at hand. It is on your lips and in our heart. And that message is the very message about faith we preach. If you confess with your mouth Jesus is LORD and believe in your heart God raised him from the dea, you will be saved."

Be a faithful messenger. Forward the message to all.

Read Isaiah 57-59
 
Isaiah 57:1-2 Good people pass away; the godly often die before their time. But no one seems to care or wonder why. No one seems to understand that God is protecting them from the evil to come. 2 For those who follow godly paths will rest in peace when they die.
 
“THE godly often die before their time.”  Other Bible translations say, “The righteous perish.” If you stopped at these words, you would wonder, “Why be good or right with God if I will die before my time?” But read on, and you will know this is one way the LORD is “protecting them from the evil to come.”  Have you ever considered your physical death is a way the LORD protects you?
   We have read of evil upon evil ruling Israel’s and Judah’s hearts and minds for centuries. How long God’s patience is! Isaiah 57:3-13 is a harsh description of the evil in Israel. Many righteous people, especially the prophets, needed protection. Jesus expressed his condemnation of the prophets’ deaths in Luke 11:48 “But in fact, you stand as witnesses who agree with what your ancestors did. They killed the prophets, and you join in their crime by building the monuments!” Then, of course, the Righteous One, Jesus Christ, was killed and for whom no one cared (Isaiah 53:8).  
  God’s message, then, is a vision of comfort and joy for his own beyond persecution’s sufferings. These two verses and Isiah 57:14-19 are God’s promises to restore goodness out of the evil and comfort this faithful followers: I will lead them. I will comfort those who mourn. (v.18b)
   The good people God has called to serve him on earth also escape death’s sting. Death on earth is the doorway into the Father’s bosom. Trust and know the eternal comfort that awaits at the end of the right path into God’s presence.
   Since Jesus’ ascension, countless people, beginning with Stephen (Acts 7) have died violent deaths because they were righteous people. God took them away from the suffering into heaven’s comfort and joy.
Understand your life in Christ Jesus does not belong to you. But in his resurrection is the truth that compels many a persecuted Christian to remain faithful. Why be concerned of trials on earth when you know triumph in heaven awaits you?
   Are you struggling to teach Jesus to someone? Are you criticized for your faith? Are you ostracized for your law-based life? Do you face physical harm? Some of you have withstood the violence and rejection to remain faithful in Christ. Rejoice in your walk with God. A wonderful joy awaits you in God’s presence forever.

 
 
 

Read Isaiah 50-54:3
 
Isaiah 53:1 Who has believed our message? To whom has the Lord revealed his powerful arm?
 
IN chapters 50-52, Isaiah has prophesied of the Messiah to come. He has foretold the good news that God will redeem and bless his people. But then Isaiah now revealed a very difficult truth of the Messiah: He will suffer. How challenging it must have been then and is now for the Jews to believe their Liberator would suffer!  
   But surely this is a view of Jesus’ life. The 12 verses of Isaiah 53 are so specific of Jesus’ servant, suffering life, orthodox Jews often forbid its teaching. In fact, many forbid teaching Isaiah because Jesus of Nazareth so completely fulfils this remarkable work. Many blind and deaf Jews still do not see and hear. But you, Christian, can see and hear your Servant King’s love for your soul through the 12 verses, each one a lesson on the LORD’s life and ministry. Look with wonder and awe upon Jesus’ deep, abiding love for you.
   Who has believed our message? The apostle Paul wrote the gospel is difficult, almost impossible, to believe. 1 Corinthians 1:18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. When we think about it, how can a man who died on a cross, a death cursed in God’s law, pay the life-price of our sins? How can one man who is said to be perfect become sin, so you can be without sin? How can the Son of God, who is the Living Word, die and be buried in a tomb?
   The Bible’s truth is very different than the world’s thinking, isn’t it? People cannot grasp the Trinity’s all-consuming love for them. Our sin nature is a doubting, “show-me” nature. We hear this “too-good-to-be-true” good news and think, “All of this cannot be so.” The sin nature is also a self-condemning nature. “I’m not worthy of Jesus’ taking my sins. They are too many and too big.” Such accusations fill our minds and block our submission to the good news.
   But praise God that some believe in his power. I hope you are one. Your faith is God’s revelation to you. Romans 5:9 Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! 10 For if, when we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! 11 Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation. 
   Do you believe his message? Your “Yes!” confirms the Holy God’s “foolish” work is his glorious gift. Matthew 8:17 This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: “He took up our infirmities and carried our diseases.”
 
 
Note: If you received my daily teachings in 2020, we looked at each verse in Isaiah 53. If you would like these, I can email them to you in a Word document. Just reply to this email. God bless your desire for Him.  

Read Isaiah 48:16-50
 
Isaiah 49:2-6 He made my words of judgment as sharp as a sword. He has hidden me in the shadow of his hand. I am like a sharp arrow in his quiver. 3 He said to me, “You are my servant, Israel, and you will bring me glory.”  4 I replied, “But my work seems so useless! I have spent my strength for nothing and to no purpose. Yet I leave it all in the LORD’s hand; I will trust God for my reward.” 5 And now the LORD speaks, the one who formed me in my mother’s womb to be his servant, who commissioned me to bring Israel back to him. The LORD has honored me, and my God has given me strength. 6 He says, “You will do more than restore the people of Israel to me. I will make you a light to the Gentiles, and you will bring my salvation to the ends of the earth.”
 
ISAIAH 49 is a prophecy of the Messiah, written as a conversation between the Father and the Son. The Son, called “servant” and “Israel” in verse 4, addressing all in distant lands (verse 1). The Son declares the LORD has prepared him before his birth on earth to speak with words of judgment as sharp as a sword…a sharp arrow. (verse 2) The Son also defines himself as “Israel” to say he will fulfill what Israel should have done to establish God’s promises in the Promised Land. Remember, too, “Israel” means to strive with God and prevail (Genesis 32:28). Jesus would prevail through the striving of the abuse, the cross and grave.
   Then verse 4 also seems to be the Messiah’s frustration. As we know, Israel did not change until Jesus ascended to send the Spirit. The picture here is of the Son expressing a weariness in his mission. Still, he submits to the Father, trusting he will fulfill the Father’s will.
   In Jesus’ humanity, he needed the Father’s anointing and the Father’s direction. He also needed the Spirit’s power for strength: “I leave it all in the LORD’s hands. I will trust God for my reward.”  
   About 700 years after this prophetic conversation, Jesus, the suffering Servant, called from the cross in anguish and in obedience, “Abba, Father, everything is possible for you. Please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” (Mark 14:36) Then verses 5-6 is the Father’s answer. He assured the Son as he described the eternal blessings that will come from his work. The apostle confirmed this: John 1:11 He came to his own people, and even they rejected him. 12 But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.
   Verses 7-12 tell of the new creation as a physical change on earth. All will honor the Savior. Jesus represents the new covenant. With language reminding us of Psalm 23, the LORD says, “They will be my sheep grazing in green pastures…and beside cool waters.” Salvation’s light will lead them to peace and prosperity. Then Isaiah speaks worship in verse 13, “Sing for joy, O heavens! Rejoice, O earth!” The chapter concludes with God’s sure promises he will redeem his people.
   The LORD God Almighty – Father, Son and Spirit – is constant in his purpose. The Bible constantly reminds us of the unity in the Holy Trinity’s relationship. Three persons in one God, doing God’s will on earth is revealed in these verses.  

 

Read Isaiah 45:14-48:15
 
Isaiah 46:9-10 “Remember the things I have done in the past. For I alone am God! I am God, and there is none like me. 10 Only I can tell you the future before it even happens. Everything I plan will come to pass, for I do whatever I wish.”
 
IF your pastor, boss, spouse, child, friend or anyone on earth said, “I do whatever I wish.” what would you think? Would you quickly judge the person as pompous, uncaring or forceful? Does it even irritate you God declares this? Our human nature is to honor self-determination above God’s determined will. We encourage one another with such statements as, “You can do anything you desire.” “Nothing’s going to stop you now.” “Set your goals and work hard to reach them.” These words can help people strive toward their desires. But the trouble is that they point not to God’s good and pleasing will, but they set our minds to look within our own desires and abilities. We want to do whatever pleases us! This is the conflict we’ve inherited from Adam’s sin. Our nature is to believe our desires are above the Sovereign LORD, who forms us and calls us.
   In truth, we should find great comfort in, “I do whatever I wish.” This is the good Father’s warning and promise first to the Jews and now to us. There was no reason for anyone in Israel to be surprised at this statement. God said, “Remember.” to once more remind his people of the many times Yahweh had drawn a very specific line of obedience and consequences. God’s forceful words are not oppressive or arrogant. Instead, he has been very patient to warn Israel and to await their repentance. To have this absolute word from the Father would free his children to know what will happen.
   Of course, the world does not believe in absolute law. Those who oppose God say he is too restrictive and unloving to get give such specific commands. But without absolutes, we are imprisoned in chaos. Who knows what to do and not do? Peace and hope do not exist when all do what is right in their own eyes. (Judges 17 & 21)   
   You might feel uneasy to know God will punish you if you live any way that displeases him. If you feel that way, that’s good. You are beginning to fear God. Keep feeling this fear because you are accountable to the Absolute God. When this fear reaches your soul, you will want to remove it. The only way you can remove it, is to stop doing whatever pleases you and pray, “Forgive me, Father. I want to turn my purpose to your purpose. May you use my life in any way it pleases you.” Rejoice, the LORD God Almighty is pleased to redeem your sin! Colossians 1:19-20 For God in all his fullness was pleased to live in Christ, 20 and through him God reconciled everything to himself. He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of Christ’s blood on the cross.
   Now, aren’t you glad God’s purpose will stand to do all he pleases?
 

Read Isaiah 43:8-45:13
 
Isaiah 43:25 “I, yes, I alone will blot out your sins for my own sake and will never think of them again.”
 
GOD says something very special here. Do you see it? “I will blot out your sins for my own sake.” I believe every time we think of God’s forgiveness, we consider it is for our sake. “God has forgiven me, and I am free from that sin.” Yes, it is a wonderful gift! Then his gift returns to him. He forgives for his sake. What does that mean? In essence, God benefits from his forgiveness.
   First God’s forgiveness reveals his extreme love. He is actively pursuing you, ready to give himself to you. Witness Jesus to the cross. Think of the Father’s deep love and his will to forgive even through the sacrifice of his own son. Then you will indeed know God’s unmatching love. Second, God forgives to draw people to him. News gets around. God’s forgiveness has been displayed in Israel’s history since the call of Abraham. The Bible is structured around his plan to forgive sins. Today people throughout the world know God and his forgiveness. Christians everywhere uphold God’s name! When we forgive, God is exalted. “God makes himself famous,” one commentator writes. When people want to know, “Can I trust his forgiveness?” God’s reputation says, “Yes, you can!” 2 Corinthians 5:18 And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him.   
 
God’s Call to His Plan
 
Isaiah 45:2-5 This is what the LORD says: “I will go before you, Cyrus, and level the mountains. I will smash down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron. 3 And I will give you treasures hidden in the darkness, secret riches. I will do this so you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, the one who calls you by name. 4 And why have I called you for this work? Why did I call you by name when you did not know me? It is for the sake of Jacob my servant, Israel my chosen one. 5 I am the LORD; there is no other God. I have equipped you for battle, though you don't even know me, 6 so all the world from east to west will know there is no other God. I am the LORD, and there is no other.”
  
THIS is a very specific prophecy. Cyrus is a future king of Persia. His armies will conquer Babylon and allow the Jews to begin returning from the exile. Isaiah prophesies God’s plan: Why have I called you for this work? Why did I call you by name when you did not know me. This is a very personal anointing of a man to do God’s will on earth. The NIV Bible says “I will bestow on you a title of honor.” These are very special and gracious words to a man who would never call God, “My LORD.” God used this same anointing language when he spoke to Israel in Isaiah 43:1, reminding them they are especially chosen, called in God’s plan of salvation. They will experience God’s honor, power and blessings.
   When God calls, he exhibits his gracious purpose to involve us in his salvation work. We have seen several times when he used other nations’ rulers without their knowledge. In truth, this is God’s sovereign authority over his creation. God does this to declare, “I am the LORD, and there is no other.” It is good we remember this in all things we do. The Christian life is a supremely special call. Let’s faithfully and joyfully respond to God’s will.
  
 

Read Isaiah 41:11-43:7
 
Isaiah 41:14-16 Though you are a lowly worm, O Jacob, don’t be afraid, people of Israel, for I will help you. I am the LORD, your Redeemer. I am the Holy One of Israel. 15 You will be a new threshing instrument with many sharp teeth. You will tear your enemies apart, making chaff of mountains. 16 You will toss them into the air, and the wind will blow them all away; a whirlwind will scatter them. Then you will rejoice in the Lord. You will glory in the Holy One of Israel.
 
WHAT would you think if someone called you a lowly worm? That’s how God described Israel. What was his purpose?
   This scripture is similar to many in the prophets’ writings. You may have noticed a continual pattern of accusation through various images, sometimes very graphic and always very pointed to help us see how far sin takes us from God. And then God gives wonderful, glorious visions of his redemption promises. The various images are God’s method to give a clear understanding of his authority over Israel. “Lowly worm” is God’s point to Israel that  they are weak and subject to all enemies without him. Then the LORD describes the transformation he will bring to Israel.  
   First, he promises, “I will help you.”  God’s repeated description throughout the Bible of his relationship with his own is that of a helper. He empowers, encourages and leads them in his justice. God adds to and completes his nation’s well-being as they obey his commands. Without God’s help, the “worm” remains weak and defenseless. With God, the worm transform into a conquering army.
   God assures Israel of his help as he declares,  “I am the LORD, your Redeemer. I am the Holy One of Israel.”  “LORD” is the all-powerful God, Master of all. He is the Almighty, who supplies everything. In God’s law, the family redeemer is a protector. He can return family land from creditors and free family members who are slaves. God is worthy to be Redeemer who forgives sin and removes accusations from Israel. He is the Holy One, to be honored and obeyed.
   The LORD, then, has the power to transform the worm into a new threshing instrument with many sharp teeth. And he promises, “You will tear your enemies apart, making chaff of mountains.” God’s justice will come to the world. The LORD’s people will conquer their enemies. That is why he can promise,  “Then you will rejoice in the LORD. You will glory in the Holy One of Israel.” Israel’s victories will demonstrate to Israel and to the nations the sovereign LORD’s transforming power.
 
  

Read Isaiah 40-41:10
 
Isaiah 40:1-5 “Comfort, comfort my people,” says your God. 2 “Speak tenderly to Jerusalem. Tell her that her sad days are gone and her sins are pardoned. Yes, the Lord has punished her twice over for all her sins.” 3 Listen! It’s the voice of someone shouting, “Clear the way through the wilderness for the LORD! Make a straight highway through the wasteland for our God! 4 Fill in the valleys, and level the mountains and hills. Straighten the curves, and smooth out the rough places. 5 Then the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all people will see it together. The Lord has spoken!”
 
A promise reigns throughout the Bible. The Glory of the LORD will be revealed for eternal life. This is the great comfort and hope for all who await the LORD’s presence. Regardless of any earthly affliction, we can know God’s eternal comfort is ready for those he calls his own. This is Isaiah’s message to Judah, a nation troubled in their affliction. One day the trouble will end as God fully demonstrates his glory to his people.  
   What is the Glory of the LORD? God’s glory is visible in many ways, from each breath we take to the profound order of the universe. And the greatest evidence of his glory over you is Jesus Christ. The Old Testament prophets pointed to Jesus’ life, death, resurrection and ascension. Everything in the New Testament shows that reality. From Jesus’ ascension, God’s glory is swelling over the earth as the Holy Spirit plants and grow Jesus’ church.
   In his life Jesus came through the wilderness to glorify the Father. With his teaching, his healing and his forgiveness Jesus revealed God’s grace. In his death Jesus submitted to the Father’s will to be the perfect sacrifice. In Jesus’ resurrection God’s glory has burst from the tomb to demonstrate eternal life is for all who believe. In Jesus’ ascension, God’s glory shows the believers’ ultimate destination.
   Then the Holy Spirit came to turn hard hearts soft and dark lives to light. In this spiritual light, we anticipate Jesus’ coming again. On that day God’s Glory will be revealed in bright light, great sound and incomparable majesty. All humanity will see him as he comes on the clouds.
   Oh, yes, my friends, live in the confidence that the Glory of God has come to earth, ascended to heaven, and is coming again. Revelation 1:5-7 He is the faithful witness to these things, the first to rise from the dead, and the ruler of all the kings of the world. All glory to him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by shedding his blood for us. 6 He has made us a Kingdom of priests for God his Father. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen. 7 Look! He comes with the clouds of heaven. And everyone will see him, even those who pierced him. And all the nations of the world will mourn for him. Yes! Amen!
   How wonderful is our comfort to know our God’s glory reigns forevermore.