Nobility or Ignobility

“But he who is noble plans noble things, and on noble things he stands.” (Isaiah 32:8, ESV) In the movie, “Forrest Gump,” Forrest’s mother used to tell him, “Stupid is as stupid does.”  Her point to Forrest was that a person is only stupid if they do stupid things. Here we have another sentiment withContinue reading “Nobility or Ignobility”

The Day of Righteous Governance

“Behold, a king will reign in righteousness, and princes will rule in justice.” (Isaiah 32:1, ESV) Some years ago, a Gallup poll rated various professions concerning honesty and ethics. The results should come as no surprise. People rated our elected officials at the bottom of the list in the area of honesty and ethics. Governors,Continue reading “The Day of Righteous Governance”

True Worshippers Needed

“And the Lord said: “Because this people draw near with their mouth and honor me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me, and their fear of me is a commandment taught by men,” (Isaiah 29:13, ESV) In my years as a Christian, I have observed church folk from both the pulpit andContinue reading “True Worshippers Needed”

A Living Hope

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (1 Peter 1:3, ESV) For today’s post, I thought to change things up. I have had a lotContinue reading “A Living Hope”

Our Victory Guaranteed

“In that day the Lord with his hard and great and strong sword will punish Leviathan the fleeing serpent, Leviathan the twisting serpent, and he will slay the dragon that is in the sea.” (Isaiah 27:1, ESV) Isaiah, in this verse, uses an interesting metaphor. Here he states that in “that day,” the Lord willContinue reading “Our Victory Guaranteed”

Let Us Worship Him

“O Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you; I will praise your name, for you have done wonderful things, plans formed of old, faithful and sure.” (Isaiah 25:1, ESV) How often do we take the time to consider the great works of God and worship Him? When we examine this practice of worship,Continue reading “Let Us Worship Him”

The Pride and Humility Paradox

“The Lord of hosts has purposed it, to defile the pompous pride of all glory, to dishonor all the honored of the earth.” (Isaiah 23:9, ESV) This section of Isaiah deals with a prophecy concerning Tyre and Sidon. Tyre was a seaport, a prosperous and pompous city that historically had its rises and falls. ThisContinue reading “The Pride and Humility Paradox”

Some Will Listen

“In that day the Lord God of hosts called for weeping and mourning, for baldness and wearing sackcloth; and behold, joy and gladness, killing oxen and slaughtering sheep, eating flesh and drinking wine. ‘Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.‘” (Isaiah 22:12–13, ESV) Jerusalem was under siege. Biblical historians believe that this wasContinue reading “Some Will Listen”

Observe, Discern, and Teach

“For thus the Lord said to me: “Go, set a watchman; let him announce what he sees.” (Isaiah 21:6, ESV) One of the great practices of elementary school days was that of the “Show and Tell.” The student would bring something from home and tell the story about it. Similar to this is the nextContinue reading “Observe, Discern, and Teach”

Waiting On God

“For thus the Lord said to me: “I will quietly look from my dwelling like clear heat in sunshine, like a cloud of dew in the heat of harvest.”” (Isaiah 18:4, ESV) Here Isaiah gives an oracle concerning Cush. Cush is the area that broadly refers to the countries of the Upper Nile, south ofContinue reading “Waiting On God”