Bible League: Living His Word Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.— Isaiah 9:7 NIV The prophet Isaiah foresaw the zeal of the Lord Almighty accomplishing something. He foresaw it bringing about nothing less than the rule and reign of Jesus Christ. Isaiah foresaw a child being born (Isaiah 9:6). It was Jesus Christ. As the result of His virgin birth, sinless life, death on the cross, and resurrection from the dead, Jesus ascended into heaven and was seated at the right hand of the Father (Ephesians 1:20). Isaiah foresaw that the government would be placed on His shoulders, the government of the kingdom of God (Isaiah 9:6). All this has already happened. Jesus rules and reigns over all things in heaven and on earth (Ephesians 1:22). We do not have to wait for Jesus to reign. He reigns now. Isaiah also foresaw that the greatness of Jesus' government and the peace that it brings will never end. It's true, at this point in time, we're still waiting for the fullness of his government and His peace to be established on the earth. There are still enemies that have to be placed under His feet (1 Corinthians 15:25), and we still have to pray, "your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven" (Matthew 6:10), but He reigns, nonetheless. The rulers on earth do so in accordance with His sovereign permission. And Isaiah foresaw that Jesus' reign, which is the continuation and expansion of King David's reign, would be one of justice and righteousness. The kingdoms of men have fallen short in this regard. Most have fallen far short. Jesus' kingdom is different. Wherever He is acknowledged and obeyed there is justice and righteousness. One day, after He returns to the earth, there will be perfect justice and righteousness in His kingdom. There will be no end to it. It will last forever. As said, it's the zeal of the Lord Almighty that is accomplishing all this. Consequently, we don't have to worry if it will be fully realized. The Lord Almighty's great zeal, His ardent desire, guarantees that it will be fully realized. Bible in a Year Old Testament ReadingJudges 12, 13, 14 Judges 12 -- Jephthah, Ephraim, Ibzan, Elon, Abdon NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Judges 13 -- Israel Oppressed by the Philistines; Samson Is Born NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Judges 14 -- Samson's Marriage and Riddle NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB New Testament Reading Luke 9:37-62 Luke 9 -- Jesus Sends out the Twelve, Feeds 5000, Heals a Boy; Transfiguration; Cost of Following Jesus NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Reading Plan Courtesy of Christian Classics Etherial Library. Tyndale Life Application Daily Devotion Fear of the LORD is the foundation of true knowledge,but fools despise wisdom and discipline. Insight One of the most annoying types of people is a know-it-all, a person who has a dogmatic opinion about everything, is closed to anything new, resents discipline, and refuses to learn. Solomon calls this kind of person a fool. Challenge Don't be a know-it-all. Instead, be open to the advice of others, especially those who know you well and can give valuable insight and counsel. Learn how to learn from others. Remember, only God knows it all. Morning and Evening by Spurgeon Isaiah 2:3 Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord.It is exceedingly beneficial to our souls to mount above this present evil world to something nobler and better. The cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches are apt to choke everything good within us, and we grow fretful, desponding, perhaps proud and carnal. It is well for us to cut down these thorns and briers, for heavenly seed sown among them is not likely to yield a harvest; and where shall we find a better sickle with which to cut them down than communion with God and the things of the kingdom? In the valleys of Switzerland, many of the inhabitants are deformed, and all wear a sickly appearance, for the atmosphere is charged with miasma, and is close and stagnant; but up yonder, on the mountain, you find a hardy race, who breathe the clear fresh air as it blows from the virgin snows of the Alpine summits. It would be well if the dwellers in the valley could frequently leave their abodes among the marshes and the fever mists, and inhale the bracing element upon the hills. It is to such an exploit of climbing that I invite you this evening. May the Spirit of God assist us to leave the mists of fear and the fevers of anxiety, and all the ills which gather in this valley of earth, and to ascend the mountains of anticipated joy and blessedness. May God the Holy Spirit cut the cords that keep us here below, and assist us to mount! We sit too often like chained eagles fastened to the rock, only that, unlike the eagle, we begin to love our chain, and would, perhaps, if it came really to the test, be loath to have it snapped. May God now grant us grace, if we cannot escape from the chain as to our flesh, yet to do so as to our spirits; and leaving the body, like a servant, at the foot of the hill, may our soul, like Abraham, attain the top of the mountain, there to indulge in communion with the Most High. Daily Light on the Daily Path Psalm 61:2 From the end of the earth I call to You when my heart is faint; Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.Philippians 4:6,7 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. • And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Psalm 142:3 When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, You knew my path. In the way where I walk They have hidden a trap for me. Job 23:10 "But He knows the way I take; When He has tried me, I shall come forth as gold. Psalm 90:1 A Prayer of Moses, the man of God. Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations. Isaiah 25:4 For You have been a defense for the helpless, A defense for the needy in his distress, A refuge from the storm, a shade from the heat; For the breath of the ruthless Is like a rain storm against a wall. Psalm 18:31 For who is God, but the LORD? And who is a rock, except our God, John 10:28 and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. Psalm 119:116 Sustain me according to Your word, that I may live; And do not let me be ashamed of my hope. Hebrews 6:19 This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil, New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org. |
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