Isaiah 55 - God's Invitation

 

Isaiah 55 – God’s Invitation

 

To every man in every station of life, to every race, tribe, tongue, condition, and color; for everyone who is thirsty for salvation God urges you to seek after Him.

To be thirsty does not mean to need it but to want it. We still have a chance to accept or not accept His invitation. If you want it, you must seek it. God is offering it free of charge. Jesus already paid for it on the cross. His water is for the soul. He is the fountain that we drink from.

 

Wine in biblical times symbolized joy. Joy is what you have when you not only experience Jesus Christ but when He becomes a big part of your life.

 

Milk is for spiritual growth. We as Christian should long for the Word of God. It is something we must read for ourselves and learn. What we were brought up to believe by our parents may not be in accordance with what the Bible says directly. We must search out our own salvation and one way to do that is to be filled with the milk of God’s word. The Word of God is also our bread to fill us up, to satisfy our needs. Money at one time was called bread but it does not satisfy us. The things of this world are expensive, but we cannot take a single thing with us when we die. The bread of God, however, can be taken into eternity.

 

We are the nation that God calls to from the Word of God. Once you are baptized and accept Christ, you become one of His. The following is up to you. The only thing that keeps you from following Christ is the sin in your life that you don’t want to give up. Once you repent of your sins, then you will become thirsty and will follow Him.

 

The Word of God is not given to us by man, it is given to us by God through scholarly men who put it down in writing.  God’s word can only come through revelation because man’s mind does not follow the route of redemption. The Word of God is accurate, reliable, and an important source for Salvation. It is given to us freely like the rain from heaven. It comes to us in abundance and will wash away all our sins.

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

J. Vernon McGee Commentary and Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

Isiah 54 - Redeemed Sing of Joy

 

Isaiah 54 – Redeemed Sing of Joy

 

Today the world sings the blues, but the redeemed will sing of Joy. We are to sing and rejoice that our Savior will come and fulfill this prophecy of Isaiah. Right now, Israel is like Sarah, barren until she was 90 years old. Think of the millions of children that came from her lineage. Someday Israel will flourish again and have it all. They will no longer be afraid of the Arabs and the city of Jerusalem will push out into the suburban areas and no longer experience traffic jams. The Israelites will once again be God’s chosen people in their own land. No weapon shall come against Israel, and every tongue that speaks against them will be condemned. This is their promise from God and ours too if we put our faith and trust in God.

 

The future regathering and restoring of Israel are a picture of the wonderful changes God makes when trials and sufferings end.

 

Times of chastening or suffering may seem spiritually barren to you, but God uses them to give birth to blessings. Times of sorrow and reproach are painful, but they can lead to greater joy. Storms are frightening, but they polish God’s jewels and bring Him glory. It is painful to go through the furnace, but God uses the experience to make you a stronger and better tool.

 

The best is yet to come!

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

J. Vernon McGee Commentary and Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

 

 

Isaiah 53 - No One Loves us Like Jesus

 

Isaiah 53 – No One Loves us Like Jesus

 

Isaiah communicated the suffering of the One who loved us and died for us. Jesus received God’s punishment for our sin so that we could have peace with God. We are healed because Jesus was wounded. He carried our sorrows so that we could find hope. No one will ever love us like Christ loves us, because no one has ever done for us what He has done.

 

In our deepest moments of grief and loss, we need only look to Him on the Cross and realize that He understands. He alone can heal the wounded heart. Acts 8:32 and John 12:38 give proof to what Isaiah spoke of.

 

God made the promise that all good things come to those who love the Lord. Sometimes we must go through trials before we get satisfaction from the problem solved. We know that if this is the way of God, it is the best way.

 

Isaiah complained that no one was listening to him. That is the case with many today. The word of God is not popular in our world today. Our world says, “if it feels good, do it.” That is not the word of God. God tells us to look to Him for answers. If we don’t like the answer, we know we are not in God’s will.

 

We must remember that no man goes to the Father except through Jesus. If we don’t believe in Jesus, then we cannot believe in God. Jesus bore our sorrows and griefs, but He was not a grief stricken or sorrowful man. Jesus was happy to die for us. It was His choice to willingly be nailed to the cross for us. And it didn’t end there. We do not serve a dead Christ but a risen Savior. He rose from the grave in victory and now He sits at the right hand of God. He took our hell so that we might have turned to Him and found release from guilt, forgiveness for wrongdoings and healing from our sins. The heavens rejoice over one sinner who comes to Him. All we must do is accept His invitation and come to Him in baptism.

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

J. Vernon McGee Commentary and Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

 

Isaiah 52 - The Servant of Jehovah

 

Isaiah 52 - The Servant of Jehovah

 

Zion is the high point of Jerusalem. It was King David’s favorite spot. Blessings are coming upon Jerusalem, and it will not be an unattractive city no more. The way that will happen is through redemption of the Lord Jesus. When He comes, He will redeem our body for a new one. The land will become new.  All of God’s creation will experience redemption.

 

Today the land of Jerusalem is filled with Arab’s and various religions. The day will come when religion will be the thing of the past. The sin of slavery and lowly civilization will be abolished. God will take all away from those who took Jerusalem captive. He will take it away and restore it, making a new Jerusalem.

 

When Christ reigns again, His people will know Him to be the one and only true Christ. When He came to earth before, no one knew Him or trusted Him to be who He said He was. They rejected Him. During the millennium all will know him and believe, those who don’t have already been cast aside.

 

Now in Jerusalem there stands a wailing wall. There is no joyful song but wailing. The Jews are pounding their heads against the wall. In New Jerusalem there will break forth a joyful song and everyone will sing together. There will be no more weeping and wailing. Hard times will be over.

 

Jesus will exercise sound judgment, be cautious or discreet in conduct, sensible, not rash. Man, today does not act prudently but Jesus will reign with extreme prudence. In the new Jerusalem, every knee will bow to Jesus and every tongue will confess that Jesus is the Christ. All will come to understand what happened on that cross.  That God covered His body with darkness to cover up man’s morbid curiosity. All will be startled when they understand that Christ hung on that cross for each one of us. It will not be just commonplace knowledge but an astonishment of the truth.

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

J. Vernon McGee Commentary and Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

 

Isaiah 51 - God's Future Purpose

 

Isaiah 51 – God’s Future Purpose

 

As the nation prepared to leave Babylon and return home, they needed to strengthen their faith in God. He urged the people to remember their spiritual roots. The call of Abraham and the exodus from Egypt. If we take time to remember our spiritual roots, we will be encouraged in our faith.

God tells them to “lift up your eyes.” (Gen. 15:1-6). Isaiah tells the people to consider God’s creation and remember what a great God He is and how lasting is His word. When you are prone to fret, remember that the Creator is your father, and you have nothing to fear.

The wilderness will become a Garden of Eden and the people will “exodus” from Babylon and return joyfully to Zion. The ultimate fulfillment will be when the kingdom is established and all of Israel’s enemies will be defeated.

 

God has a future purpose for the nation of Israel, just as He has a future purpose for the church and you and me. For now, He has put Israel aside but when the time is right, He will bring the Israelites and the Gentiles back into His fold.

Isaiah tells the people that God’s time is getting closer and those who are asleep need to wake up and get their life right with God. The same applies to us. More and more scriptures are being fulfilled than were fulfilled in the day of Isaiah so we must wake up and get our lives on the right track with God. His call is to all those who seek to be righteous. He says, “Wake up, hear Me, I have a plan.”

God has a salvation for all those He sends for. God says He will reach out and gather the Israelites from far countries to their own land in Zion. This won’t be like being led out of Egypt. This will be a great gathering from all parts of the earth. This will be a spectacular reunion. Right now, Jerusalem is a barren land, it has lost all its beauty but when God gathers His children, it will become a beautiful place, depicted as God’s favorite place for God’s favorite people. If we want to be a part of that gathering in the end days, we must live righteous lives and wake up and listen to what He has to say to us.

 

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

J. Vernon McGee Commentary and Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

 

 

Isaiah 50 - The Bride of Christ

 

Isaiah 50 – The Bride of Christ

 

Israel was married to God when she accepted His covenant at Sinai. But the nation eventually turned to idols, committed spiritual adultery, and sold herself into slavery; and God had to put her away. (Hos. 1:4). God will restore His chosen people one day just as He forgives and restores believers today who turn from sin and obey Him. (James 4:1-10). Israel must overcome this hurdle of rejection of Christ to receive His blessings. For now, He has put them aside for repentance.

 

The faithful servant is our Lord Jesus Christ with a ready tongue and an open ear, a set face, and a body surrendered to suffering. What an example for us to follow as we seek to serve the Lord. (Rom. 12:1-12).

 

Christ was more than a carpenter those thirty years. He spent those years studying the Word of God. If Christ, himself thought those words were important to Him, then surely it should be important to us. Somewhere between Genesis and Revelations He has a word for us.

 

People who fear God and obey Him can still end up in darkness of perplexity, Then, they are tempted to light their own fires and try to find their way out by themselves. Instead, trust the Lord, wait on Him and He will give you the light when you need it.

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

J. Vernon McGee Commentary and Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

 

Isaiah 49 - Salvation of Christ

 

Isaiah 49 – Salvation of Christ

 

The Salvation of Christ which comes through the suffering of the Lord Jesus. The nation of Israel has failed, but the one coming out of that nation will succeed. Christ calls out to all the nations of the world to listen to Him. He was given the name of Jesus before He was born and this name is to be proclaimed throughout the nations because it is the name of the Savior, and the world needs a Savior.

 

The sharp sword is the Word of God. Through this word is the judgment of the nations. It is through the nation of Israel and through us that Jesus will be glorified. Though the Lord was rejected, it was not in vain. His death on the cross was His victory, the greatest victory mankind has ever seen. Christ’s death on the earth meant that the gospel was spread throughout the ends of the earth. God heard the prayer of Christ on the cross, and Jesus whom the world crucified will be the one who kings will bow down to and every knee will bow to acknowledge His Lordship when He comes again.

 

God’s plan for the earth centers around Israel. All His people should be gathered back into their promised land. Today, they are scattered everywhere. The church should be in heaven with Christ, but it is still in the world. The devil should be in hell, but he is not, he is walking around the earth seeking whom he can devour. The Lord Jesus should be sitting on the throne of the earth. But he is at the right hand of God.

 

There are still many things that need to be made right. God assures Israel that He will not forsake them, even though they have forsaken Him. We have the same assurance. He tells the Israelites that the Gentiles will assist Him in the final restoration in the nation of the land. It is the Gentiles of today that prevent the Israelites from returning to their land, but Christ tells us that it will be the Gentiles that will help them return. Those of us who are not Israelites, are the Gentiles. We too, will have a place in their final resting place.

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

J. Vernon McGee Commentary and Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

 

 

Isaiah 48 - I Told You So!

 

Isaiah 48 – I Told You So!

 

When you end up in trouble because you did not listen to sound advice, the last thing you want to hear is “I told you so!”  But that is just what God says to Israel.  He had warned them that their sins would bring judgment, but they hardened their hearts and closed their ears.

 

The captivity was about to end. It had been a time for refining for the nation. (I Peter 1:7), but they had learned to turn from idols and trust God alone. If you resist, the fire will burn you and make you hard; if you submit, the fire will purify you and make you tender.

 

God declares new things (Isa. 42:9) and does new things (Isa. 43:19) and His people can hear new things. As you obey God, He leads you, gives you peace, and meets your needs. No matter how weak you are, you can lean on Him.

 

There is no peace to the wicked. Our Lord Jesus brings us peace but to those who reject Him, they will never have peace.

 

The Israelites boast about being the children of God. It is true that God chose them to be His people, but they have turned away from Him and now they are strangers to Him. They are His children in name only. We too, can fall into the same dilemmas as being Christians in name only. God did not choose the Israelites because they were superior in any way and He does not chose us because we are superior. He chose the Israelites and us through His grace and because He sees our great need for Him. God has never fully blessed Israel and He has never blessed us as much as He would like. This is not God’s fault. It is ours because we let our selfish desires get in the way of following the directions God leads us.  

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

J. Vernon McGee Commentary and Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

 

 

Isaiah 47 - The Fall of Babylon

 

Isaiah 47 – The Fall of Babylon

 

Babylon started out as a small and insignificant nation. It was almost a century before Babylon became a world power. It was the motherhood of all idolatry. Idolatry will bring a nation down. When Babylon fell it was subjected to indescribable humiliation. She had mistreated the people of Israel and was brought low.

In those days Babylon had a real hang-up with nudity. It is no wonder God clothes His people because it became a form of degradation. God tells the people that the reason Babylon was able to take His people was because He permitted it, not because Babylon was superior. They had a great sense of power, and they gave their self-credit for overthrowing Israel. They were wrong. God had given the Israelites over to the Babylonians because Israel had sinned. He was judging His own people.

Babylon was arrogant, lifted, and careless. King Nebuchadnezzar looked over the city and boasted how he had built it. He gave God no credit. God gave the king a form of amnesia and sent him out to the fields to eat grass. For a long time, he did not know who he was. This was God’s judgment against him.

There is always a grave danger of a nation, or a man being lifted up in pride and believing he can make it on his own. We are living in a nation where men can become rich with questionable businesses. The sale of liquor can bring great wealth. Pornography is a form of entertainment and gambling brings great wealth to our nation. These are not honorable professions and God will judge this nation for it.

When we worship our great wealth as Babylon did, He taunts us to turn to that which we worship and see if it will bring us out of trouble.

Babylon means confusion. When that great nation began to die within its economic system, it confused them. We too, as a nation depend on our economic strength. What happened to them can happen to us.

We live in a very immoral world and have departed from the one and only true living God. We must turn our prayers toward our nation and seek a great revival. That is the only thing that will bring this nation back to God. Back to our first Love.

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

J. Vernon McGee Commentary and Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

 

Isaiah 46 - God Carries Us

 

Isaiah 46 – God Carries Us

 

When Babylon fell, the images of Bel (means lord) and his son Nebo would be carried away into exile, unable to rescue their city from their enemies. The Lord will continue to carry and deliver His people (Deut.32:11)

 

God is in control, there is no other. He can declare how history will end because He will actively intervene in the world to accomplish His plan for the nations and for His people. (Num. 23:19; Ps. 33:11).

 

Isaiah speaks to the Babylonians and warns them that judgment is coming because of their many sins.

 

He begins with their idolatry and contrasts Jehovah with the gods of Babylon. The idols must be carried, but God carries His people. The false gods cannot predict the future or control history, but Jehovah does both. The idols are alike, but Jehovah is the only true God and there is none like Him. Rejoice that you can worship the true and living God.

 

There is nothing which compares to God. The only way we can translate God into human language is through His Son Jesus Christ, who came to earth as a human to reveal who God is. God does not want us to carry Him around like man-made idols. He wants to carry us. I Peter 5:7 “Cast all your cares upon Him, for He cares for you.”

 

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

J. Vernon McGee Commentary and Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary, The Jeremiah Study Bible

 

Isaiah 45 - God's Message to Cyrus

 

Isaiah 45 – God’s Message to Cyrus

 

God makes declarations to Cyrus, to the Jews, and to the Gentile nations, and in these messages, He speaks to His people today.

 

His message to Cyrus was one of sovereignty, focusing on His uniqueness. Jehovah is the Creator and the Lord of history. Cyrus did not even know the Lord; yet the Lord called him by name and used him to accomplish His purposes. When life seems to be tumbling in, remember that God is on the throne and is sovereign.

 

His message to Israel emphasized submission. God can tell the rain clouds what to do, but His own people resist Him. This is like the clay telling the potter what to do (Jer. 18) or the child scolding the parents. If Israel would trust Him, they could share in the great things He was doing. Cyrus would cooperate with the Lord, and he did not even know Him!

 

The message to the gentiles was one of salvation. God’s purpose through Israel was that all nations be blessed (Gen. 12:1-3). One day God will gather His people and establish His kingdom, and then the nations will know the true God and trust the Savior. Meanwhile, we must get the message of salvation to every tribe and nation.

 

Isaiah prophesied Cyrus two centuries before he was born. This was to identify him so that there would be no doubt this was the man Isaiah spoke of, also because Cyrus was to be the one responsible for bringing the Israelites out of captivity and returning them to their land. He also did this to prove his prophecies accurate so that they would also believe in the coming of the Messiah.

 

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

J. Vernon McGee Commentary and Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

 

Isaiah 44 - Idolatry

 

Isaiah 44 – Idolatry

 

Isaiah is very bold in his statement where he tells the Israelites that they are very much like the idols they worship. He tells them that their idols are profitable for nothing.

 

Idols cannot hear, see, talk, smell or feel. They cannot help anyone. He tells the people that they should be ashamed for making an idol, when it is God who made them. Those who made the idol spend much of their time and effort in the making of it, but when it is complete it is still nothing. Only something to look at. The origin of all the materials man uses to make these images came from God. We are responsible for taking care of what God gives us. If we abuse the things he has given us, it is most likely those things will be taken from us. The idols we put before God cannot help us, they don’t lift us up, they don’t bring us joy and most of all they cannot save us.

 

God reminds His people that He formed them, chose them, and would help them. There is no need to be afraid, for God meets every need and keeps every promise. He knows what lies ahead and helps you prepare yourself to meet it.

 

Those who trust false gods will be afraid and become like the gods they worship. (Psalm 115:1-8), Their bodies may feast on excellent food, but their souls feed on ashes. They live on substitutes.

 

The nation’s exodus from Babylon would be a time of redemption and rejoicing, and God would confirm His word to His people. Jerusalem would be restored, and the temple rebuilt, and God would even use a pagan ruler to accomplish His purposes. He is the God of the impossible.

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

J. Vernon McGee Commentary and Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

 

Isaiah 43 - God's Not Through with Us

 

Isaiah 43 – God’s Not Through with Us

 

God is not through with the Israelites and He is not through with us. He confirms that God created mankind. We did not come from monkeys; we came from God.

God took Israelites crooked ways and made a nation out of them.

 

Our beginnings came from a man who rebelled against God. Adam has passed on to us a fallen nature which will never be reformed or repaired. But God has given us a new nature. God promises us that even when we go through the waters and through the fires He will be with us. God does not say we will not have troubles, all of us will have a trouble or two in our lifetime but He does guarantee that we will not face these troubles alone. God will deliver us from our troubles.

 

When the Israelites rebelled, God gave them Egypt and Ethiopia to discipline them. When they turned back to God, He then in turned disciplined Egypt and Ethiopia.

 

Everyone who comes into our life is there for a purpose. If it is someone you are having trouble with, ask God why it is, and what are you to gain from it. He may be using them to straighten something out in your life. God will paddle our behinds for wrongdoing, and He may use others to do the paddling. Once you have learned the lesson He desires for you to learn, He will in turn paddle the one that is causing you trouble. We must take heed to understand the lesson and not gloat over the other being paddled.

 

We cannot imagine how much God loves Israel and how much He loves us. He is the one and only God and Savior. No pastor, religion or church can save us. Only God can save us. If we are true to Him, He promises to stay true to us.

 

 

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

J. Vernon McGee Commentary and Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

 

Isaiah 42 - God's Servant, Jesus Christ

 

Isaiah 42 – God’s Servant, Jesus Christ

 

Mark 10 :45 says that “Christ did not come to be ministered to, but to minister to us”. He was chosen by God and empowered by God, so He did not get discouraged and quit. He did not come with a club in His hand to beat down sin. He simply let sin bring on its own judgment. Jesus Christ lived and served by faith, trusting His Father to meet His needs, and that is the way we must live today. His power is available to us.

 

As weak as the Israelites were, the nation returned to the land after their years of captivity. They were spiritually blind and obstinate, but God led them and worked on their behalf. He told them he would lead them from darkness to light and from their confusion to clarity. He would not forsake those who wanted to follow Him.

Those who follow other gods will be turned away and shame will be their only friend.

 

When we belong to God’s family, our Father is ready to forgive and restore us. Putting life back together again may appear impossible, but the Lord will work for us if we let Him. He can do new things, guide us on a new path, and give us a new song. In the end He will regather the ones who come back to Him and are faithful.

 

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

J. Vernon McGee Commentary and Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

 

 

 

Isaiah 41 - God Will Protect

 

Isaiah 41 – God Will Protect

 

God was in control of the nations, and He raised Cyrus to do His bidding. The false gods of the nations are no match for the true God of Israel.

 

God gave the Israelites assurance when He said, “You are my servant! Fear not for I am with you!”

 

God will protect and lead His children through the pitfalls and dangers of life. Soon there will be a showdown between darkness and light, between God and man, between faith and unbelief. God is now calling individuals to turn to him and accept the salvation He has to offer. He is not demanding anything of us. He is simply asking us to accept His grace and salvation that He has to offer.

 

When Christ returns He will establish rules of righteousness. Since God is coming to right the wrongs and relieve injustice, those who are right with God can be of good courage. There is hope for us who trust Him, and we need not worry about the future.

 

He told Jacob (Israel) that they need not fear or be dismayed. He is their God and He is holding them in His “righteous right hand”. With Jesus, we are never alone. God will work in and through our loneliness. He wants to take us into His confidence. He wants to enable us to walk with Him, have fellowship with Him.

God’s salvation, His fellowship, His goodness, His grace is all there if we turn to Him.

 

God knows the future and has everything under control, so there is no need to worry.

 

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

J. Vernon McGee Commentary and Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

 

 

Isaiah 40 - The Grace of God

 

Isaiah 40 – The Grace of God

 

Everything that Isaiah predicts about the one who is to come will be fulfilled. He is the one that offers the invitation that says, “Come unto me all you that labor and who are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Our God is the comforter, He comforts us in all our tribulations, and He enables us to comfort others like He comforts us. When Jesus transcended into heaven, He sent the Holy Spirit to comfort us.

 

In Isaiah’s day and in even some religions today they brought sacrifices to appease their angry gods. It was done because their gods were always angry. The One and true God is not angry. It is man’s sins that alienates them from God. God does not expect us to do anything to appease Him. He sent His Son to die for us, He was our gift from God. That is our comfort for the world today.

 

Our flesh is feeble and frail, and it will soon pass away, but the Word of God is strong and secure and endures forever. It is the only gospel that gives eternal life to man who is just a natural creature on this earth. When you see Jesus Christ as God manifest in the flesh, you must come to Him as He is, not just as a man, but as God.

 

There is no man or any manmade god equal to our Father in heaven. We see our equals every day in each other. Compared to God, we know very little, we only know what God has revealed to us in His word and we can’t even comprehend all that He has told us.

 

Isaiah wants us to know that God knows about the difficulties and problems of His children. If you belong to Him, then He will quiet the storms in your life, but there are lessons for us to learn in these storms. Rather than cry out against God, we should be asking what the lesson is we need to learn from this storm. God will not let us go through hard times if there is no lesson to be learned. Regardless of who you are when you need strength to walk, He will give it to you. If you need strength to run, God will furnish it, and if you need to fly He has that for you also.

 

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

J. Vernon McGee Commentary and Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

 

 

Isaiah 39 - Hezekiah Failed the Test.

 

Isaiah 39 – Hezekiah failed the Test.

 

What could not be accomplished through an army, or an illness was accomplished through flattery. If Satan cannot succeed as a lion, then he comes as a serpent. “Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.” (Prov. 27:6).

 

The King of Babylon wanted one thing: Judah’s cooperation in opposing the Assyrians. They tempted Hezekiah with a letter, saying they are glad of his recovery and was quite concerned about it. Hezekiah did not take this letter to the Lord like he did the letter from the Assyrian King. Instead, he tossed it aside and welcomed the Embassy of Babylon to come see all his riches. Hezekiah still had many riches that David and Solomon had acquired, and he foolishly showed the Babylonians all that he had.

 

The enemy is a liar and uses every excuse to get entry into our life. With Hezekiah, his pride took over and discernment disappeared. Ephesians 4:17-32 lists some of the “footholds” you can give Satan to enter your life.

 

Isaiah did not fear the king but told him truthfully that Babylon was the real enemy and one day would conquer Judah. However, Hezekiah thought it a good thing since it wasn’t going to happen in his lifetime. He showed no concern for his children who would become eunuchs in the palace.

 

This prophecy came to pass just as Isaiah said.

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

J. Vernon McGee Commentary and Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

Dr. David Jeremiah

 

Isaiah 38 - Hezekiah's Life Extended

 

Isaiah 38 – Hezekiah’s Life Extended

 

It was during the siege of the Assyrians that Hezekiah was plagued by a “boil.”  This boil made him sick unto death. This sentence of death was delivered to him by the prophet Isaiah. In Heb. 9:27 it says, “it is appointed unto men once to die, after that comes judgment.” We all know that someday we will die. We just don’t know when, if we did know, I am sure our lifestyle would suddenly change.

 

When Hezekiah found out he was to die, he turned to God in prayer. He also wept.

He reminded God of his reputation before God. In 2 Kings 18:5 it said that “Hezekiah trusted in the Lord God of Israel, so that after him there was none like him among the kings of Judah, nor any that were before him.”

 

God heard Hezekiah’s prayer and granted him another 15 years of life. Not so much for Hezekiah’s sake, but for David’s sake.

 

Today we ask our prayers in the name of Jesus. It is for His glory God answers our prayers. When we ask for healing, sometimes God heals, sometimes He doesn’t. It is up to God what He decides.

 

In the days of Hezekiah, God decided to give him a sign to assure Him of his prayer being answered. Hezekiah asked for the sign of the shadow of the sun to be turned back ten steps. Imagine him looking out the window and seeing the shade of the palace steps going backwards instead of forward. Hezekiah must have rejoiced when he witnessed that.

 

After Hezekiah was healed he began to let pride and arrogance take the place of his humility. He soon forgot that God saved him. After he was healed, his wife gave birth to Manasseh. His son was twelve years old when he began to reign. He was the worst king to rule in both kingdoms.

 

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

J. Vernon McGee Commentary and Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

Dr. David Jeremiah, J. Vernon McGhee Through the Bible.

 

Isaiah 37 - Turn Fear into Faith

 

 

Isaiah 37 – Turn Fear into Faith

 

Hezekiah’s experience shows you what to do when you are attacked by the enemy.

 

Take your burdens to the Lord. It is good to talk things over with others, but only the Lord can work in your heart and turn fear into faith. God knows everything the enemy says and writes, and He has a perfect plan. By faith, take everything to Him in prayer.

 

Listen for God’s message. The words of the enemy will discourage you, but God’s word will encourage you. In every battle, His word to you is, “Do not be afraid” After all. He has everything under control.

 

Seek to glorify God alone. More than anything else, Hezekiah was concerned for the glory of God. “Hallowed by Your name” must be your primary prayer.

 

Trust God to work. Sennacherib defied the God of Israel, and yet he died in the house of his god who could not protect him. God can handle the enemy far better than you can.

 

Trust God after the victory. The Assyrians had devastated the land, but God promised to feed His people and give them a harvest. Our future is in God’s hand.

 

 

 

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

J. Vernon McGee Commentary and Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

Dr. David Jeremiah

 

 

Isaiah 36 - Historical Events

 

Isaiah 36 – Historical Events

 

This chapter through Chapter 39 are repeats of 2 Kings 18-19 and 2 Chronicles 32.

 

Isaiah warned that the Assyrian army was coming and now it surrounded Jerusalem.

Assyria conquered Israel and then moved into Judah where it captured every fortified city. From the words of the Rabshakeh, you can learn much about warfare against your own spiritual enemy, the devil.

 

Satan is proud and confident of victory. He tries to frighten you into surrendering. He knows that the most important thing is where you put your faith. Are you trusting in the world, yourself, or the Lord?

 

The enemy offers to give you something in return for your obedience, but there is always an “until” involved. He wants you to think that his gifts are as good as the Lord’s gifts and that the Lord cannot be trusted to help you.

 

Use the shield of faith to quench those fiery darts (Eph. 6:16) and never negotiate with Satan. Do what Hezekiah did: ask the Lord for help and believe His Word.

Remember that God always has a better plan than we can come up with. His words are true in all circumstances.

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

Dr. David Jeremiah Study Bible

J. Vernon McGee Through the Bible.

 

 

Isaiah 35 - When Jesus Comes

 

Isaiah 35 – When Jesus Comes

 

God wants sinners to repent and believers to be encouraged. When Jesus Christ comes to reign, marvelous changes will take place.

 

The desolate wilderness will become a beautiful garden. God’s creation will rejoice when it is set free from the bondage of sin. (Rom. 8:18-25).

Today our deserts are barren and enlarging because of drought and soil erosion. Pollution is filling the earth. All of this will be reversed in the Millennium. The Smog will be lifted, and sin will be no more.

 

The weak will be strong, and the disabled will be handicapped no longer. The wanderers will never lose their way as they walk safely on God’s Highway of Holiness, and the weepers will have their sorrows turned into joy.

 

Our bodies will be renewed, and our minds refreshed. All of creation is waiting to get our new bodies. We as God’s children have that great hope and joy to never have to experience the tribulation period. Sickness and disease and all afflictions are the result of man’s sin. When Jesus reigns all that will be lifted, there will be no more pain and suffering. Our spiritual beings will be increased, and we will worship our Lord without holding anything back.

 

As you wait for these physical blessings, you can enjoy them in a spiritual way. God can give you deliverance, fruitfulness, strength, holiness, and joy as you yield to Him.

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

Dr. David Jeremiah Study Bible.

 

Isaiah 34 - The Great Judgment

 

Isaiah 34- The Great Judgment

 

Today we are not looking for a King but instead the glorious arrival of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Evolution and mankind say that things will improve with time, and it will be by our own efforts. Isaiah prophecies that everything we see and do will come into judgment. It will be universal and severe. He used words like: indignation, fury, utterly destroyed, and delivered to the slaughter.

 

Our Lord spoke of this time as a time of suffering that will be unparalleled in the history of the world.  We might be asking when this will happen and will I be here to suffer along with the world. I believe this great judgment will come after the Lord comes and takes His children home, then those who are left behind will be going through the Great Tribulation.

 

This was written so that we could prepare our hearts and minds toward salvation. We must also strive to prepare those who do not believe. We must believe that when God says that the day of judgment is coming that is really is coming. We must listen to God and remember that our Lord Jesus is the shelter in the time of storm which is coming upon the earth. Without Jesus, there is no hope for an eternal life with Him. God will judge the people who are against Him.

 

The Edomites were against God and everything that was right and good.

 

God says things have to be made right on this earth. To make it right, He must put down the evil and rebellious man upon this earth. Many people will not bow down to God, but this is His universe and there will be no place to escape from Him.

Matthew 5:18 “ Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.” It will be wise for us to watch the signs of time and prepare to meet our Maker.

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

J. Vernon McGee Commentary and Dr. David Jeremiah Study Bible

 

Isaiah 33 - The Godly Remnant

 

Isaiah 33 – The Godly Remnant

 

Isaiah looked out at the horizon and saw the plunderer coming to conquer the land. Then he looked around at some of the people in the nation who helped cause this judgment. The traitors who sold out to the enemy, the ambassadors who sought help from Egypt, and the religious hypocrites who pretended to serve God. All of this was discouraging, but one thing encouraged Isaiah: a godly remnant that trusted the Lord and interceded for the land.

 

In Galatians 6:7 it tells us to “Be not deceived, God is not mocked; for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” In other words, “you spoil my children and my land, I will spoil you.” God promises to take vengeance on behalf of His people. This is why we should let God handle revenge. God says we are not to avenge ourself but to turn it over to Him. He can handle it a lot better than we can.

 

He also will take vengeance on the Anti- Christ when he comes to rule. He will take care of him at the second coming of Christ. Over and over the people here on earth have thought the only way to peace is to fight it out in war until someone comes out a winner. We talk about peace, but we are not doing it God’s way. We are called to recognize God in all that we do.

 

There were godless people in Isaiah’s day and there are godless people today. God is a consuming fire that intends to judge us for not turning to Him when we need to be avenged. The one who is declared righteous by faith in Christ is called to walk in righteousness.

 

When you pray, you see the Lord exalted, you hear His words of encouragement, and you view your King in glory and power. The Prince of peace will bring peace to the earth.

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

J. Vernon McGee Commentary and Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

Dr. David Jeremiah, J. Vernon McGee Through the Bible

 

 

Isaiah 32 - Leaders in the Kingdom

 

Isaiah 32 – Leaders in the Kingdom.

 

Leaders should be both rocks and rivers providing security and sufficiency. Rocks do not move or change, while rivers are ever moving and changing. Leaders must be both consistent and adaptable, combining the faith fullness of the rock with the fruitfulness of the river.

Fools, scoundrels, and schemers abounded in Isaiah’s day and made the nation weak. But God wants people whose eyes, ears and hearts are open to spiritual truth, people who can share that truth clearly with others.

Isaiah had a special burden for the careless women of the land. For wives and mothers can have great influence for good or evil. They were living at ease as God’s judgment was about to fall. Their happy homes were about to be destroyed, but they did not seem to care.

Jesus is not only King, but He is also our Savior. He is our protector and bearer of all our sins. He is our hiding place for today. During Christ’s reign it will be a time of understanding. We will get back our moral values. They will return and an understanding of them will be gained. Every vile person and thing will be seen in its true colors. There will be no false values. No one will be able to pretend to be something he is not. Hypocrisy will be no more. Everyone will see each other as they truly are.

Before Christ comes to reign in righteousness there will be a time of trouble. He tells the women that are living in pleasure that have no sense of the coming judgment to rise and be discerning.

Men and women alike can be too trusting of their acquaintances so Isaiah is giving us a warning here to look to the morals of one another and chose wisely who we trust. When Christ comes His spirit will be poured out among all people.

Isaiah ends on a happy note describing the peace and prosperity of the future kingdom. There can be no lasting peace without righteousness, and Jesus is our “King of Righteousness” and “King of Peace.” (Heb. 7:1-3)

 

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

Dr. David Jeremiah Study Bible

 

Isaiah 30 -31 - Woes of Judah

 

Isaiah 30 -31 – Woes of Judah

 

God had warned Judah not to go to Egypt for help. The Southern kingdom of Judah listened to the warning of Isaiah, but the Northern kingdom did not. Therefore, the Northern kingdom became captives of Assyria. This is one time the Southern kingdom profited by God’s warning and the experience of the northern kingdom.

 

Some of us as children learned from the mistakes of our siblings. God can certainly show us ahead of time what will happen when we disobey His words. He told them and us not to be in a hurry. To let Him work it out in His time. He wanted them and wants us to learn to wait upon the Lord. We cannot rush God. He is in no hurry.

 

When we are in step with God, life is so much easier for us here on earth. We don’t know when Christ will come, or what will happen tomorrow. God is working it all out. He is the only one who knows. Our only choice is to wait upon Him and take one day at a time.

God told the Israelites that if they just wait He will beat down the Assyrians.

 

Isaiah 31 – A Warning to those who Fled.

 

This woe is for those who turn away from God and follow the advice of mankind. He is not saying we cannot go to others for advice. He just wants us to put Him first and ask for wisdom and knowledge. Although others can have some good advice, we must remember that man is fallible and can lead us astray. We must go to God first and pray that He send an answer through whom we seek advice here on earth.

Knowing that we asked God first will give us peace when we receive wisdom that we seek. We must also ask for discernment so that when we do receive advice from man that we know that it would also come from God. If we know His word, we can usually sift out the bad advice from the good advice.

 

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

Dr. David Jeremiah Study Bible