Do we believe that even in tough times the Lord provides? Even during seasons of discipline and lack, can we understand that God is still able to work things for good? I’ll answer with a question.
Who likes discipline? No one! However, it is necessary to discipline and set boundaries in our life. It is necessary to establish truth vs. error in our life. Are we following what we want, or are we disciplined in the ways of the Lord?
Too many questions to think about, I know! As I read through Isaiah, the Lord is discipling Judah. I can see that…
- Before restoration, reformation must come.
So what’s the difference? To restore is to repair, or renovate. To reform is to make changes to bring improvement. Seems similar, doesn’t it? One thing the same is that both bring change!
- Before a piece of furniture is restored, changes must occur to bring forth the repair. Those changes include stripping off the old, to bring forth the beauty of the new.
Isaiah begins saying, “See now, the Lord Almighty, is about to take from Jerusalem and Judah both supply and support: all supplies of food and all supplies of water, the hero and the warrior, the judge and prophet, the soothsayer and elder, the captain of fifty and man of rank, the counselor, skilled craftsman, and clever enchanter.” (Isaiah 3: 1-3)
That’s a pretty large list, isn’t it? Did you notice that the Lord is removing their supply and support? Who is our supplier? Yes, the Lord is.
Is He taking away what they are relying on as their form of support? Yes, He is.
- We need to be stripped from anything that takes the place of the Lord being our support and supplier.
When discipline is necessary, removing that very thing that is bringing a false sense of security or support, is sometimes necessary. This is the demise of those who are not recognizing the Lord as their supplier.
Isaiah reassures those who are the Lord’s saying, “Tell the righteous it will be well with them, for they will enjoy the fruit of their deeds.” (Isaiah 3: 10)
The Judge Takes His Position
There is a ruler over all, His name is the Lord. “The Lord takes His place in court; He rises to judge the people. The Lord enters judgment against the elders and leaders of his people…(Isaiah 3: 13-14)
An Oracle Of Redemption
Isaiah brings forth a word of being redeemed. He says, “In that day, the branch of the Lord will be beautiful and glorious and the fruit of the land will be the pride and glory of the survivors in Israel.” (Isaiah 4: 2)
What else will happen? The Lord will wash away the filth…He will cleanse the bloodstains from Jerusalem. How? By bringing “A spirit of judgment and spirit of fire.” (Isaiah 4: 4)
Yet, we see that God will discipline, and yet He will protect. “The Lord will create over all of Mount Zion and over those who assemble there a cloud of smoke by day and a glow of flaming fire by night, over all the glory will be a canopy.” (Isaiah 4: 5)
- His glory is a canopy over our lives.
Why would anyone refuse this protection over our lives? When we refuse Him, we refuse His protection.
(Shared from Isaiah 3-4, Modified)
Another Angel Comes From God’s Glory
John looked again and sees this shining angel was so bright he was illuminating earth. “I saw another angel coming down from heaven. He had great authority and the earth was illuminated by his splendor.” (Revelation 18: 1) Can you imagine?
- The Light shines in the darkness.
This angel shouted, “Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great.” (Revelation 18: 2) She had been a home for demons.
Like that wasn’t enough, another voice from heaven says, “Come out of her, my people so that you will not share in her sins, so that you will not receive any of her plagues.” (Revelation 18: 4)
Bible scholars have been undecided if this is the actual fall of Babylon (Iraq) or if it is symbolizing the worldliness of man’s power in this world. Maybe, it could be both? Babylon was a nasty place with lots of idolatry and defilement.
Her defilement was so great that “Her sins are piled up to the heaven, and God has remembered her crimes.” (Revelation 18: 5)
In Genesis, the Tower of Babel was destroyed because they wanted to build their own empire (kingdom), their own entity removing God. Hmmmmmm!
- God sees all and has the final move.
- His judgment will come.
- Our God sees all mistreatment and knows the heart of every single deceptive plan or motive.
- He will address it accordingly.
(Shared from Revelation 18, Modified)
God Judges The False And Supplies
The Psalmist is speaking of being judged in false accusations. If you are being falsely accused, pray. He wrote, “In return for my friendship they accuse me, but I am a man of prayer.” (Psalm 109: 4)
- An enemy, falsely accusing in order to bring us down, may be confronted by an accuser themselves.
- Let God ordain this.
The Lord out of the goodness of His love–delivers!
“For the Lord stands at the right hand of the needy one, to save his life from those who condemn him.” (Psalm 109: 31)
(Shared from Psalm 109: 1-19, Modified)
UNBROKEN LOVE SERIES
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