Read Isaiah 22
Highlights:
Tyre destroyed because of her sins; the earth wasted and polluted by man's sin; Isaiah glorifies God in affliction; God's dominion over us; a way to perfect peace.
O Lord our God, other lords besides Thee have had dominion over us: but by Thee only will we make mention of Thy Name (Is. 26:13).
With every defeat of God's people — first by the Assyrians, then by Egypt, and finally by Babylon — Isaiah confessed how these nations had dominion over the Israelites. Each of them attempted to force the Hebrews to accept pagan worship.
Because of their faith and loyalty to God, Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego would not participate in pagan worship. Therefore, the three other children were cast into a fiery furnace, while, later, Daniel was cast into a den of lions. But God miraculously delivered all four of them (Dan. 3,6).
These men could say with Isaiah: Other lords besides Thee have had dominion over us: but by Thee only will we make mention of Thy Name. Praise God, He always provides a remnant who will choose to serve God above all other things. Even though the world may press in and try to force them to turn their backs on God. These faithful ones will stand strong continuing to refuse to surrender their faith. Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage (Gal. 5:1). The Word of God will give us the encouragement we need to stand in the face of oppression. The Bible shows us again and again that God is always with us. If we place our confidence in Him, Jesus will empower us to face the things of the world which seek to draw us into sin. Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us (Heb. 12:1).
God's people in every generation have faced similar enemies of God who seek to force them to accept pagan ways. Evil influences are constantly seeking to corrupt those who are loyal to Christ. But Christ must be the Lord of our lives. Other lords cannot have dominion over us. For sin shall not have dominion over you (Rom. 6:14).
Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God (Rom. 6:13).
Thought for Today:
Trials have helped many people come to know God's will for their lives.
Christ Portrayed:
By Eliakim, master of Hezekiah's household (Is. 22:20-22); what was said of him is true of Christ who is Master over the household of faith. Christ . . . a Son over His own house; whose house are we (Heb. 3:6; Gal. 6:10).
Word Studies:
22:1 valley of vision, Jerusalem; 22:2 stirs, shoutings; 23:13 raised up, destroyed; 24:7 mourneth, laments, sorrows; 24:15 fires, dawning light; 24:19 clean dissolved, split open; 24:23 ancients, elders; 26:7 weigh, make straight, lead in the right way.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for Government Officials: Gov. Brian Sandoval (NV), Rep. Mike F. Doyle (PA), and Sen. Ron H. Johnson (WI) • Country: Oman (2 million) on the southeastern coast of Arabia • Major languages: Arabic and English • Fewer restrictions on Christian activity than most of its neighbors • 97% Muslim; .5% Christian • Prayer Suggestion: Remember that God delights in your joy (Ps. 43:4).
Optional Reading: Hebrews 13
Memory Verse for the Week: Habakkuk 3:18