Psalm 123 & 124

It took me about 2 minutes to read both of these psalms. Both of these verses speak of God's protection. But David's words in 124 carry a strong message of thanks to God for tha protection. David noted Israel's fraility and how God's protection preserved the people through all of their hard times. God was never far away, and his protection was always at hand. Christians have the same promise from God; an ever present hope in a dark and sin centered land. We have the hope that no matter what life throws our way we have a God/Savior who will be with us, at all times, to help us through those troubles.
Stuart

Ezekiel 24-26

It took me about 11 minutes to read this passage.  With the lamp of holiness that Israel provided all of the nations that had surrounded them exposed their vileness and God rebuked them.  Tyre, Moab, and Ammon all received the same condemnation as Judah.  They were witnesses of the great work that God did in Israel but these nations all refused to heed the message of God and follow him.  We can focus on the bad example of these nations or on the Good News of God that was made evident to them through Israel.  The church is like Israel; a city of light in a dark land.  We need to take up the challenge to shine God’s love all around us as we face the challenges of our society.  Even when the people of the world oppose us  we need to shine.

Stuart

Isaiah 39

It took only 1 minutes to read about the Babylonians first trip to Jerusalem. How had they heard about Hezekiah? It seems that their intentions were honorable. Their invation of Judah is more than 80 years in the future. They were surely not bent on conquest at this time. Isaiah spoke of a future that should have destressed the king. Yet he seemed to be comforted with the assurance that his extended life would be one of peace before God. I'm just not sure what lesson God seeks to present to us in Isaiah 39.
Stuart

Ezekiel 20-23

It took me 25 minutes to read this passage.  The leaders of Judah in exile came to Ezekiel to seek God’s favor.  God pours out his rebuke on these leaders for their hypocrisy.  God repeated the number of times that Israel had rejected him, but God did not act according to how he felt, but in accordance with his promises.  This happened numerous times, generation after generation.  Finally God did act in response to his justice.  He expelled and destroyed Israel.  But even in his anger he did not forsake his covenant.  He retained a remnant that would carry out his plans for redemption for all of mankind.  God’s judgment is frightening, but his promises offer hope to those who persist in serving him always.

Stuart

Isaiah 38

It took me about 4 minutes to read this passage. In verses 2 and 3 Hezekiah prays the prayer of a man who has just learned that he is dying. In three dozen words the king of Israel pours out his heart to the King of kings. God was moved in a unique way by the prayers of this man. Had God denied Hezekiah's plea then the next king of Judah would have been an older son of Hezekiah. What is it that God saw in the heart of Hezekiah that led him to reverse his edict about this king? Was it the humility he poured out in verses 9 through 20? What spark in Hezekiah's heart melted God's heart?
Stuart

Ezekiel 16-19

It took me 21 minutes to read this passage.  Ezekiel spent much of his preaching in this section explaining to those Jews in captivity why they are being punished.  God’s words in chapter 18 seem to indicate that the people in exile are blaming their parents for their punishment(vss1-2).  God explains that they, along with their parents, are guilty of rejecting him.  All of Israel deserved to be cast out of their inheritance.  But we know that God did not leave them there, he restored the faithful to their inheritance because of his covenant promises.  He explained his plans to the people in the last few verses of chapter 17.

Stuart

Isaiah 37

I spent about 5 minutes reading this passage. Just like in chapter 36 Hezekiah receives a message from the king of Assyria. He denies the power os the God of Israel. But he doesn't realize that behind every great ruler, that ever was or ever will be, stood not a woman but the God of Israel. Assyria rose to such position becuause of God's intervention in their milatary conquests. God is never slow in fulfilling his promises, but he has already determined the outcome of the events long before they ever began. We need to hold on to that hope as we await the arrival of God's final victory in Christ Jesus.
Stuart

Ezekiel 12-15

It took me 18 minutes to read this passage.  God told Ezekiel that he would not listen to the prayers of those who have set up idols in the hearts.  Paul wrote in Ephesian 5:5 that idolatry is visible in the immorality , impurity, and greed of people.  Though Ezekiel confronted people who had shaped a false god with their hands, Paul spoke of those whose hands build “idols” by the work they complete.  We cannot expect God to hear our prayers if we harbor sin in our lives.  God is not looking for people who are sinless, but rather for those sinners who recognize their failings and depend upon God’s sacrifice of Messiah to cleans them in God’s sight.

Stuart

Ezekiel 8-11

It took me about 15 minutes to read this passage.  God makes a statement to Ezekiel in 8:18 that should cause any person to quiver in their shoes; “They have an angry God on their hands!  From now on. No mercy.  They can should all they want, but I’m not listening.”  God’s condemnation on the leaders of Judah who were not carried into captivity with Ezekiel is harsh.  But God explains that the actions and attitudes of those leaders are a greater affront to God’s nature than God’s judgments are to humanity.  In chapter 11 Ezekiel asks if God is going to destroy all of Israel.  But in verses 16-17 God explains that the remnant in captivity will be his seed to replant the nation of Israel.  Though the captivity was an act of judgment it was also an act of salvation for the covenant people.

Stuart

Ezekiel 5-7

I spent about 20 minutes in two sittings reading through this passage. There are two themes that God repeats through his messages; terrible disaster, awesome judgement, famine, sickness, and sword. These actions, all leading to merciless death, are headed for Israel. God is sending these upon the people because of their rebellion. The second theme explains God's reason for sending the disasters; so that Israel will recognize who God is. He is creator, lawgiver, judge, and providor. He is able to give in abundancen as well as take away completely. God seeks to draw us to his Kingdom and he will use both good and punishment to accomplish that task.
Stuart

Isaiah 36

It took me about three minutes to read this chapter. I try to picture myself on the wall of Jerusalem listening to the accounts of his victories over the gods of all the other nations. How strongly do I hold fast to the truth that the God of Israel is the one and only god there is. The general of the army asks a very good question in verse 20, a question thatwe should ask ourselves as well; "So what makes you think that God could save Jerusalem from me?" Just how powerful is God in our sight. Do we trust him to do exceeding more than all that we could hope or imagine?
Stuart

Isaiah 35

It took about 2 minutes to read this chapter. Many years ago I came across the words of verse 4 as a verse of encouragement for the disheartened. This whole chapter speaks of the handiwork of the church, represented by that holy road; the Way. The oppressed are set free, the physical freedom is noticed first. The same moment of of the physical liberation comes a spiritual freedom that changes the shape of our heart driven attitudes. We quit looking inward; God drives us to look at others from his perspective.
Stuart

Ezekiel 1-4

It took me about 14 minutes to read the introduction to Ezekiel’s ministry. For years Ezekiel, the priest, had been serving in the temple.  He was born early during the rule of Josiah.  So his early memories were of a king who sought God with a heart like David.  Surely Ezekiel read the writings of Isaiah.  He probably heard his cousin Jeremiah, who was also a priest, speak God’s words of warning.  Around the age of 25 it appears that Ezekiel was taken captive with Jechoiachin and carried to Babylon.  After about 5 years in exile God gave Ezekiel a vision of his heavenly realm, and the vision overwhelmed the priest.  At the end of chapter 4 God gave Ezekiel a physical picture of what sin does to a person spiritually.  In the message the end of 4:17 reads this way; “People will look at one another, see nothing but skin and bones, and shake their heads.  This is what sin does.”  We are made to feast on the presence and obedience of God.  To give that up is a form of spiritual starvation. 

Stuart

Isaiah 34

It took me about 3 minutes to read this chapter. In verse 16 God speaks a reminder to his people. For generations God has said that the proud would be brought low; the arrogant would be humiliated. Edom was given the task to punish Israel. They took the advantage that God had given them and turned it into a license to gloat; claiming God's victory as the fruit of their own hands. Edom rejected God's work in favor of their own glory. Now God is ready to pour out his judgement of this other wayward kingdom.
Stuart

1 Peter 4-5

This took me about 8 minutes to read.  Suffering is a part of being a human living in a fallen world.  Because of sin we will all face death (4:6) but as Christians we will face a suffering that is different from the world; suffering for doing right in the name of Jesus.  Is that a guarantee?  I’m not sure, but the majority of the Christian population for 2,000 years have faced oppression for their faith.  The Message presents Peter’s encouraging words like this in 4:1-2; “Think of your sufferings as a weaning from that old sinful habit of always expecting to get your own way.  Then you’ll be able to live out your days free to pursue what God wants instead of being tyrannized by what you want.”  Talk about putting a positive spin on a difficult situation.  But what would you expect from a man who learned how to live life under the teaching of a man who embraced death on a Roman cross? (Hebrews 12:2)

Stuart

Isaiah 33

It took me about 5 minutes to read the chapter. In verse 14 Isaiah asks a God prompted question; who can survive God's punishment? What follows is the answers for this difficult question. Live right; choose to speak what is true regardless of the costs. Look down on any attempt to exploite the vulnerable. Along with that is the call for justice by refusing violence, bribes, and anything that will cheapen the truth that should be evident in the dealings of the life of believers of God.
Stuart

1 Peter 1-3

It took me about 15 minute during 2 sessions to read this passage.  I know that I am a person who wants the last word on any subject.  I also know that I need to relinquish that desire.  That is a struggle that I am facing, and hope to see God free me from that passion.  If anyone deserved to have the last word it was Jesus.  In chapter 2 verse 23 Peter points out that regardless of how anyone treated him Jesus did not seek to have the last word in any situation.  As he hung on the cross he spoke very few words and, with the exception of his request for water, spoke no words to those who taunted him.  Peter said that Jesus turned over this painful, ugly, humiliating, degrading situation to God.  He didn’t do it because there were no options for him (I wonder if Peter had 10,000 angels standing by his cross waiting for his call for rescue?) but because he sought to surrender his entire life to God.  Can I give up the desire for the last word?  No.  But through the power of the Holy Spirit in my life I can conquer that desire and chose to say nothing.

Stuart

Isaiah 32

It took me about 3 minutes to read this chapter. God speaks to a people who only know injustice and wrong doing. So he describes the effects of a government that leads with justice and a society that that lives in righteousness. What happens when these two ingredients are present? There is peace, quiet lives, and endless trust. Those are qualities that we understand and long to see in our lives; and we live in a society that is tame. Imagine a time when the rulers adjust the law to meet their personal needs and neglect the poor and needy. That was the culture of Judah to whom Isaiah spoke.
Stuart

2nd and 3rd John

It took me about 4 minutes to read these two text messages.   John could have used a cell phone for texting.  In a very few words he conveyed his concern, his love, and his hope to the Christians who received these two letters.  And he even reiterated the command that he had heard Jesus speak to those first followers; love one another.  John says that we need to conduct our lives in love.  That is not expressed in overflowing expressions of infatuation, but rather by obeying what God has commanded; his moral code in the law, and his spiritual code through Jesus’ words.  In both his second and third letters John points out that some Christians fail to live up to these commands.  But our focus is not to be on them and their wrong doings, but on how we act.  We can’t allow ourselves to be influenced by those who are still stuck on themselves; being over-conservative or extremely liberal in order to compensate for the un-wise judgments of other Christians.  We need to continue to serve others with an attitude of love.

Stuart

Isaiah 31

It took me about 2 minutes to read this passage. In verse 1 of this chapter the Message notes that there were people in Judah who were "awed by the sheer numbers of chariots and riders" that Egypt had to display. That brought up a very important question; what awes me?
If the things that we treasure the most become the recipients of our money wouldn't it also be true that the things, or people, who awe us become the objects of our worship?   Wouldn't that which fulfills our highest ideals become our standard for measuring the value of all the things in our lives. If we are awed by God then won't we fall in line with everything that he has revealed to us? I need to make sure the things that I desscribe as awesome are indeed the working of God.
Stuart

1 John 4-5

I spent about 13 minutes reading this passage. In 5:4-5 John explains the power of the faith God has given us. The Message says it this way; "The conquering power that brings the world to its knees is our faith." Just holding onto the faith that Jesus is God's incarnate son and sacrificial attonement for our sins causes the powers of this world to collapse around us. The logic of the cross baffles the self-centered "logic" of the sin-filled world. When we persist in holding on to that faith that God has given us regardless of what pain and abuse the world throws at us we have the victory. We also bring glory to God.
Stuart

1 John 1-3

It took me about 12 minutes to read this part of John's first letter. John speaks in lovely and glowing words of who Jesus is and the power of his redeeming sacrifice. Then in 3:18 he calls on Christians to act. We often talk a lot about the love of God working in our lives, but what we need to be doing is loving. We love God by loving others. We love others by sacrificing our selfish wants. Yet we can continue to love ourselves; not out of selfishness, but out of humble recognition of what God has accomplished in our lives.
Stuart

Isaiah 30

It took me about 6 minutes to read this passage. In verses 12-14 God draws a picture of the fraility of a selfish lifestyle. When a person rejects God's ways and builds his life without Biblical principles the result of the building may look impressive. It may be composed of what seems like sturdy rocks, but in reality it is a badly built wall. Slowly it tilts, then it will shift. All of these changes are indicators of what will happen. The wall's builder may brace it, but eventually it will fall. All that will be left is a pile of rubble.  That describes the life of the person who continues to reject God and his laws. There is no escaping that.
Stuart

Lamentations 3-5

It took me about 16 minutes to read this passage.  In the midst of all the suffering that Jeremiah witnessed and recorded in his lament he noticed something very good.  In the passage 3:25-27 he speaks of God’s passion for those who continue to depend upon him.  Whether Jeremiah was speaking from first-hand experience or by watching others he noticed that the people who humbled themselves before God received good from God.  He doesn’t elaborate how they received only that the did.  The Message uses these phrases; “passionately waits”, “diligently seeks”, and “quietly hope” as the characteristics that receive God’s attention and pleasing intentions.  When the circumstances around us are full of the abundance of God’s mercy we should openly celebrate.  When the situation we face is full of pain, sorrow, and loss we should quietly hope in God to provide; he will not fail his people.

Stuart

Isaiah 29

It took me about 4 minutes to read this chapter. Verse 16 presents a theme that is common in Isaiah's preaching. Too often we try to reverse our position with God; so that we are the one obeyed and God serves us. Isaiah presents that messaage in verse 16 by using three brief word pictures; a lump of clay, book, and a home cooked meal. The purpose of all three of these objects is to honor and please the one who made them. That is the same purpose we have; to honor and please our God in all that we do.
Stuart

Lamentations 1-2

It took me about 11 minutes to read the beginning of Jeremiah’s poem of lament for Jerusalem.  His words of 2:8 caught my attention; what does it take to cause rocks to “weep”?  Jesus said that the rocks would “cry out” if the people didn’t celebration his entrance into Jerusalem (Luke 19:40).  If it takes the hand of God moving in glory that would move rocks to shout for joy, then it makes sense that rocks will “weep” when they witness God moving in judgment on the works of men in which the rocks were used.  God’s plan for Jerusalem that Jeremiah saw laid out detailed the destruction of everything dear to the establishment of that city.  God’s covenant was not invalidated because of the people’s disobedience, but the sorrow of God is reflected in the rocks.  God had no joy in the exile or demolition of Jerusalem.  He wanted his people to love him and share with him in fellowship.  God was sorrowful, the rocks felt it, and wept.

Stuart

Isaiah 27

I read this a couple of days ago, but didn't get it posted right away.

It took me about 2 minutes to read this chapter. In verse 6 God reveals to Isaiah, and his people who are listening in Judah, a picture of his church. Spiritual Israel will put down roots and the branches from that vine will produce fruit in every part of the world. We are not far from seeing that picture come to reality. Though there are some nations where the Gospel is illegal there are people of faith in many of those nations. God is reaching out one heart at a time, drawing people into his heart. Isaiah saw it. I'll bet he rejoiced.

Stuart

Isaiah 28

It took me about 5 minutes to read this chapter. The last seven verses point out a truth in our physical lives that makes a point regarding our relationship to God. It is God who taught the farmer how to plant and harvest crops. God provided the details and the skills to bring two different crops to a successful harvest. So why don't we trust him equally to provides us with the details and the skills to follow him in grace? Why are we so reluctant to obey him completely; without reservation?

Jeremiah 50-52

It took me at least 20 minutes in two settings to read the end of Jeremiah's book. These were some of the most difficult chapters to read. Not only do they detail the fall of Jerusalem the pronouncement against Babylon includes the description of their acts of savagery. But even in this dark and evil part of history God speaks of a hope for his people. In 50:20 God speaks about the coming days. I believe the future he refers to in this passage is the days of the church; aka the last days. God says that those people whom he saves will be made new. They will be sinless and righteous in God's eyes. That sound very familiar to Paul description of God's work through grace as recorded in2 Corinthians 5:17 "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come."

Isaiah 26

I needed about 4 minutes to read this chapter. Oh to live in the city of our salvation. This chapter begins with a song to the "place" of our salvation. It has been built with the salvation that God's grace has so freely given all Christians. This is our adpoted home; not a place but a position is God's family. He claims us asa his own; He has made our eternal home the inheritance that he has set aside for each of us.
Stuart

Jeremiah 47-49

It took me 20 minutes to read this passage.  Here God lays out in poetic but painful clarity the judgment that he has prepared for some of the countries around Judah.  Elam, Kedar, Hazor, Damascus, Edom, Ammon, and Moab were all people who had heard the message of God’s glory at work in Israel but rejected the truth and laid traps for Israel and Judah.  Just as today there is more than one nation whose leaders have led their people in a wrong direction.  Leading them into selfish indulgences, and abuses of the weak around them.  God will punish all people who reject him outright.  It is not a message the church likes to share, nor it a message welcomed by the world.  But it has always been God’s message since the fall of man from God’s favor.  Just as God’s love for mankind has not changed over the eons of time, his just nature has been consistent in demanding punishment for the disobedient.  Jeremiah doesn’t mention it here, but I am thankful that God provided a remedy for our disobedience that also brings us back into a right relationship with him; grace.

Stuart

Isaiah 25

It took me a little over 2 minutes to read this chapter. In verse 8 Isaiah passes on God's message of great hope. God mentions three sources of sorrow that he will remove. Death will be banished. There will never again be separation from each other and, more importantly, from God. Death will cease to be a threat. Tears will be wiped away. Not just one time but for always, and not from a few faces, but no cheek will ever be tear stained again. The God mentions disgrace; it will be gone so that there is not even a trace of it left. God's cleansing will remove every last bit of disgrace that his people ever faced in their lives. That is the type of inheritance that God had promised not only to ancient Israel, but to modern Christians as well.
Stuart

Jeremiah 43-46

It took me about 22 minutes in two settings to complete this reading. Chapter 45 is short but it carries a messages that all of us need to heed when our lives look gloomy. God says that he builds up and when he chooses he will tear down. But don't worry. God promised Baruch that he would carry him through all the difficult times that lay before him. God has promised us that he will be with through every situation that wew face as well. (Matthew 28;20) It makes sense to me that his promise to Baruch is equal to his promise to us. So even if the times in our lives become difficult God will carry us through them.
Stuart

Jeremiah 40-42

It took me about 7 minutes to read this passage. In the centuries that have passed since Jeremiah's time we people have not changed. We tell God that we will obey him, but we give him conditions to which he must adhere, and limit the options in which he can work. Is it any wonder that we end up fighting God? Everytime that I put forth my plans and my ideas as being the best course of action I am soon faced with the truth that my ideas and plans are flawed. God always has a better plan. That doesn't mean I shouldn't plan anything at all. Rather it means I should always prayerfully offer my ideas to God and be ready to adjust my plans to meet his expectations.
Stuart

Isaiah 24

It took me about 4 minutes to read this passage. God proclaimed his message of hope along with his message of warning about the coming destruction. Isaiah had enough of God message of destruction. In verses 16-20 Isaiah recounts the hopelessness of the message he had presented.  Yet just like David the longer Isaiah spoke of his sorrows; pouring his heart out to God, the more his heart turned to the praise in who God is. Our God is indeed to all powerful ruler of the heavenly host of warriors.
Stuart

Jeremiah 37-39

It took me about 10 minutes to read this passage. Jeremiah spoke God's word faithfully. In return he was beaten, accused of treason, left to starve to death, and received no support from the weak king Zedekiah. This passage recounts a few times that Jeremiah was given an audience with the king, but every time he left the troneroom he was in no better situation. But God did not abandon Jeremiah. Before he could die of thirst in the muddy cistern he was rescued and fed. When the city was finally captured the king of Babylon singled him out by name for protection and provision. God will always provide what his people need. Just in time that it is needed.
Stuart

Jeremiah 34-36

It took me about 18 minutes to read this passage.  Two of the kings who ruled during Jeremiah’s term as prophets were Zedekiah and Jehoiakim.   Both of the men were stubborn in their refusal to follow God’s commands, but Jehoiakim was especially vile in his disregard toward God’s word.  When God’s word was spoken to him he ignored it completely and used it to fuel his fire of selfishness.  Even Ahab, king of Israel, heeded God’s word when he was confronted with it.  Jehoiakim displays the picture of someone who totally rejects God’s word.  The end of his life reflects the way he lived his life.

Stuart

Isaiah 23

It took me ab out 3 minutes to red this chapter. Right in the middle of the chapter I could hear God's words being spoken not only to the people of Isaiah's time but also to the 21st century world. The Message says, "GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies ordered the crash to show the sordid backslide of pride and puncture the inflated reputations." How much more in tune with the times can the Bible be. The rampant selfishness of men have not changed in 28 centuries. God saw it throughout the Mediterainian world in Isaiah's days and he still sees the same thing around the globe of the 21st century. Is this crash the work of God? He hasn't spoken to me and told me so, but the similarities are chilling.
Stuart

Isaiah 22

It took me about 3 minutes to read this chapter. I need to consider how often my life is described by Isaiah's words in verses 8-12. I plan and prepare. I write lists and develop guidelines in an effort to reach the goal of ministry. In all my preperations do I forget the one who created the church in which I serve? Do I remember him who surrendered his life so that I can have hope for my life? Have I grown so accustomed to my abilities that I neglect the name of the One who equipped me with those abilities? I am thankful that God's grace will cover my sins and has made me right before him.
Stuart

Jeremiah 31-33

It took me 21 minutes to read this passage.  The part of God’s message that really hit home was in chapter 31 verse 11.  The Message translates that verse like this: “I, GOD, will pay a stiff ransom price for Jacob; I’ll free him from the grip of the Babylonian bully.”  I realized that God loves his people so much that he has always been willing to offer a ransom in exchange for his children.  He paid dearly for Israel to come out of Egypt, and to Jeremiah he promised a similar ransom to bring Judah home from captivity.  We know today that God paid the greatest ransom for all of mankind when he sent Jesus to the cross.

Stuart

Isaiah 21

I needed about 3 minutes to read this chapter. This message is somewhat perplexing to me. I think that God is warning Judah that God's wrath is about to come upon them. It may seem like a surprise attack, but the ground work for this punishment was laid as Israel fled from Egyptian captivity. Though many people were caught off guard they had no excuse; God had warned them time and time before now. The warnings were as frequent as the promises for blessing that God would shower upon an obedient people.
Stuart

Jeremiah 28-30

It took me about 16 minutes to read this passage.  In chapter 30 verses 12-17 God speaks to both side of Judah’s exile.  He begins by pointing out that the nation deserved more than exile, but God limited his punishment to an exile.  So Judah should not seek to gain sympathy among themselves and from others.  They were punished mercifully by their all-powerful and loving God.  God also mentioned that he has been watching those who worked as God’s instrument of punishment.  And they will end up worse than Judah.  When God is ready he will come to bring Judah back to their land, but send their torturers into a greater punishment.  From our perspective we can look back in time and see that hand of God at work.  He did indeed take the kingdom of Babylon and make it an object of cursing and ridicule.

Stuart

Isaiah 20

It only took 1 minute to read this chapter. Three years running around naked; that's what God commanded of Isaiah. Imagine how the crowds responded to Isaiah: cat calls, laughter, taunts, and all sorts of insults. I wonder when God explained his purpose to the prophet? Did he tell Isaiah at the start, or did the prophet have to wait until the time of the sign was complete? This would have been a very difficult task for me to complete. Yet, God expects us to receive his word and respond in obedience to his word.  He expects this response even if the result of our actions are uncomfortable or even dangerous; it's up to him to protect and deliver us through the problems. We need to obey and trust God.
Stuart

Isaiah 19

It took me about 3 minutes to read this chapter that speaks of God's coming punishment and then blessing of the people of Egypt. It was Egypt's army who struck down King Josiah and Egypt's ruler who set up Eliakim as his puppet king. Egypt had no regard for Israel and God sought to fix that. The promise God made to Egypt was much like the promise he had made to Judah; after his judgement is meted out on Egypt Gos will open a way for them to come back and worship him. God is always working to bring people back to his covenant.
Stuart

Isaiah 18

It only took 1 minute to read this chapter. Have you ever considered how God moves? The Almighty, Creator, Lord of the Heavenly Army moves in whispers. In verses 4 & 5 the Message decribes God's movement with these words; "Quiet as warmth comes from the sun, silent as dew during harvest." Surely the Maker of the sun's warmth knows how to move his hands with the same ferocious love? Can we doubt that the One who sends the dew couldn't cover the globe with the same persistence? Very often that is how God moves; ever present, noticable yet unrecognized. Does God move in stealth? No. But our sinfulness has blinded us to the sights and sounds of his presence. Isaiah points out that it is through his providence that God brings judgement as well as freedom.
Stuart

Jeremiah 22-24

It took me about 16 minutes to read this passage.  In this passage God mentioned the exile of two kings, sons of Josiah, Shallum and Jehoiachin.  They were both taken from the throne into exile.  And Jehoiakim received a personalized curse from God.  These three men must have surely exalted themselves in the eyes of people, because God took the time to humble them through exile.  They did not follow the righteous actions of Josiah, even though what he did was displayed in front of everyone.  In chapter 22 verses 2 and 3 God lays out what he desires, especially from the leaders of his people;

Seek Justice

Mend disputes between people

Rescue those who are oppressed

Respect the homeless, orphans, and widows

Stop the murder

A life lived to these standards will receive God’s rewards.

Stuart

Isaiah 17

It took me about 3 minutes to read this chapter. God sends more warnings to the errant people of Judah that he has plans to abandon them. He asks the question that is on the hearts of the people who heard the prophet; "Why?" The answer could be applied to some who where the name of Christian today; "Because you have forgotten me." That was the same message to the church in Ephesis in John's revelation chapter 2 verses 1-7. God was fed up with their lip service to his name but no impact on their communities and neighbors. Isaiah was doing the work in his day that we need to be doing today; sharing God's warning of a coming judgement, seasoned with the hope of Immanuel.
Stuart

Isaiah 16

It took me about 3 minutes to read God's words through Isaiah regarding Moab. They were a proud people who walked into a life of arrogance. But their pride was not based on the God of Israel, and they looked forward to Israel's demise. So God planned their downfall as well. Maybe if Moab had an attitude of seeking God their fate might have been different, but they weren't in pursuit of God, so he was not willing to save them from his judgment. And in the last two verses of the chapter God laid out his timeline. On last warning to Moab, one more warning to the people of Judah.
Stuart

Jeremiah 18-21

It took me about 8 minutes to read this passage.  I don’t believe that Jeremiah’s book is in chronological order, but I can imagine that after hearing the same message repeated again and again Pashur was fed up with Jeremiah.  Not only was this prophet shouting bad news it looked like God wasn’t doing what Jeremiah said anyway.  However, in his time God began to move the behemoth that was Babylon’s army.  When Zedekiah sent a messenger to Jeremiah (21:1-2) the king received the exact same message that had landed Jeremiah in the stocks when Pashur was priest.  Not once did God allow Jeremiah to change the message away from the doom that God had planned for Jerusalem and the sinfulness of the people.  God did have a message of hope for those who would seek him out, but they would still have to be taken into captivity to be given the opportunity to see God work out his ultimate plan of hope.

Stuart