Bible Pathways - Aug. 4, 2008
August 4
Highlights In Today's Reading:
God pronounces judgments according to a nation's sin: Israel warned of God's judgments. Moab's ruin foretold as they refused sanctuary to Israel's fugitives (Chapters 15-16); Damascus for idol worship (Chapter 17); the Lord cuts off Ethiopia (Chapter 18) and the Egyptians (19:16) as Assyria conquers both (Chapter 20); The Medes take Babylon (21:2). The reading ends stating: The Lord God of Israel hath spoken (21:17). WOW!
Isaiah foretold that the glory of Jacob shall be made thin (17:4) and would be like wasted wheat left scattered on the ground after the harvest had been gathered (17:5). The destruction would be complete and, as a result, the few who were left would realize that it was the result of their sin and would recognize that turning to God was their only hope. At that day shall a man look to his Maker, and his eyes shall have respect to the Holy One of Israel (17:7-8).
When the Christian looks out upon the world, he sees himself surrounded as by a dark night of unbelief and sin. One sees only moral and spiritual night because men loved darkness rather than light (John 3:19). God's children alone have a glorious light within them. Every earnest Christian is to be a watchman who longs for the advent of Christ's coming and the world's new morning. The fall of Babylon to the Medes and Persians was announced like a watchman who was stationed in a watchtower.
There was nothing for Judah to look forward to except a long and dark night of Babylonian captivity. Many times, God's people have had to face a crisis before they would humble themselves and repent of sin, turning to the Lord with all their hearts.
If we are to gain the most out of our short lives, it is of utmost importance that we not allow anything to keep us from giving Christ first place in our lives and living to please Him.
The desire for material possessions, a person, or personal pleasure has kept many from being used by the Lord to take His message of eternal life to a lost world. But when we earnestly desire to please Him, we will see that our earthly possessions really belong to God, and that they have only been entrusted to us to give us an opportunity to lay up treasures in heaven (Matthew 6:20-21).
No one can experience true satisfaction or the peace of God, which passeth all understanding (Philippians 4:7; John 14:27; 16:33) until his desire to please God is greater than his desire to please self — or anyone else.
Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it (Matthew 7:13-14).
Thought for Today:
A committed Christian does not fear this world's destruction nor does he desire this world's goods.
Christ Revealed:
As the One who will sit on the throne of David (Isaiah 16:5). Gabriel told the Virgin Mary that the Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of His father David (Luke 1:32-33). Christ also was revealed as the Saviour (Isaiah 19:20; compare Matt. 1:21; Luke 2:11).
Word Studies:
16:3 bewray =b> betray; 16:11 my bowels =b> my inner being, heart; 17:11 a heap =b> a failure; 19:8 angle =b> hooks; 21:14 prevented with their bread him that fled =b> gave food and water to the fugitives.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for International Shortwave Radio Broadcasts sponsored by Margaret Brown • English International Shortwave Radio Broadcasts sponsored by Helayne Abrams • Government Officials: Rep. Robert Andrews (NJ), Rep. Keith Ellison (MN), Sen. Barack Obama (IL), and Gov. Ted Strickland (OH) • Country: Barbados (259,000) on the island farthest east in the West Indies • Major language: English • Religious freedom • 79% Protestant; 8% Roman Catholic • Prayer Suggestion: Intercede for others (Ex. 32:31-32).
Optional Reading: Hebrews 12
Memory Verse for the Week: 2 Corinthians 4:12
