IN CHRIST YOU CAN WIN THE BATTLES YOU FACE

Whatever bad habits you need to break

Whatever temptation you need to resist

Whatever discouragement you need to overcome

Whatever doubt you need to defeat

Whatever bruise or wound or scar you need to have healed

Whatever sins you need to have forgiven

Whatever holy habit you need to form

Whatever faith you need to feed

Whatever selfless act you need to do

Whatever sacrifice you need to make

Whatever loving kindness you need to show

Whatever courageous word you need to speak

The Lord of Hosts is here with his heavenly armies to give you the grace you need

In Isaiah 51:15-16 we see our hopes, our fears, our dreams, our failures, our pride, our insufficiencies, our oppression and our deliverance should all be viewed from the perspective of who God is. The oceans roar because He has given them power. Otherwise they would have none. This same God who stirs up the seas will stir up the awesome eternal power of His promises also.

Having stated the power of His promises God now declares that His word will be the means of His powerful deliverance in verse 16. "And I have put My words in your mouth, and have covered you with the shadow of My hand, to establish the heavens, to found the earth, and to say to Zion, ‘You are My people.’"

The way God remakes and establishes His new covenant people and His new creation is by His word. He will bring new order out of the chaos and confusion man has made of life. The word of God has the power to renew life.

The one who takes hold of the implanted Word of God is the instrument of God to bring about marvelous and amazing changes. The powerful words are a divine revelation of God. By this Word of God placed in their mouth they are to plant the heavens and found the earth. [Establish is literally plant the heavens as if it is a growing developing organism.] Through the Word His redeemed people will be protected and the cosmos will be remade and God’s covenant will be wonderfully be acknowledged and reaffirmed. Oh, how we need to open our heart and really hear Jesus speak to us the words, "You are My people!".

The fact that we are God’s covenant people should be comfort enough no matter what our situation is or who is our enemy. How foolish we are to fear what our fellow man thinks of us or will do to us, when God holds life and eternity in His hand.

As Jesus said in Luke 12:4 & 5; "I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that have no more that they can do. "But I will warn you whom to fear: fear the One who, after He has killed, has authority to cast into hell; yes, I tell you, fear Him!"

Security comes to the redeemed from the Creator. Instead of fearing that man will take your security away, trust in the power that sets free the captives & provides for His own. He is the One who establishes what cannot be broken. ~ Dennis Davidson

THE LORD ESTABLISHES HIS PEOPLE

In ISAIAH 51: 9-16, God is called upon to demonstrate His strength as in the days of old that His people’s sorrow might become joy. God then tells His people not to be afraid of what men could do, but remember the power of their Creator. He will restore His people no matter who or what stands in their way. He will do a new thing in His covenant people and bring about a new creation. 

Security comes to the redeemed from the Creator. Instead of fearing that man will take your security away, trust in the power that sets free the captives and provides for His own. He is the One who establishes what cannot be broken.

The revealing of the LORD’s arm is the revealing of His power. The verse is an appeal to God’s use of power in the past as a reason to exert it again in the present. The thought expresses faith in God along with an understanding that He is there but also it expresses a lament that He has not been seen as powerfully active. Thus Isaiah voices the cry of the remnant for the LORD to act now as He did in days long ago. 

Rahab was a mythological seven headed female sea monster sometimes associated with Leviathan (27:1; 30:7; Job 9:13; 26:12). The name was used of the hippopotamuses that sat on the Nile and became associated with Egypt (30:7; Ps. 87:4-which paired Rahab and Babylon). 

The dragon (tann n) or monster can be a term for pharaoh (Ezek. 29:3) or Satan (Rev. 12:7). The Lord has defeated mighty monsters in the past, hasn’t He?

God had just told them to look back and consider their past (51:1-2). He then promised them a forever future (vv. 6, 8), but what about the right now?

We can feel this way too. We know we have been saved from our sins. We know there is a future in heaven for us. But we wonder if God is aware of our present difficulties and if He is, why doesn’t He do something about them.

The remnant continues to voice questions to God in verse 10. Was it not Thou who dried up the sea, the waters of the great deep; Who made the depths of the sea a pathway for the redeemed to cross over?

God has referred frequently to Himself as Creator and to His display of power in the Exodus. So the remnant ask for Him to affirm that He is the same One who opened the Red Sea to deliver His people. They seem to ask, "If You are so powerful, why don’t You display Your power again in Babylonia captivity. Act again on behalf of Your people."

We too wonder why our God who has done such great things for others in the past, does not act in our trouble and difficulty.  It is good to express in faith our questions concerning God’s promises to us. Yet we should also reaffirm our faith as Isaiah does in verse 11. Our God is the same God who made a way in the depth of the Sea and He will make a way for us also. The display of His power may change, but His love and care for His covenant people never changes.

Verse 11 declares God’s promise of joyful deliverance. So the ransomed of the Lord will return, and come with joyful shouting to Zion; and everlasting joy will be on their heads. They will obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.

As the prophet pours His cry, the lament of the people to God, there comes about a change. It is as if God changes His people’s attitude in the midst of their intercession. One of the great blessings of prayer is that as we talk to God we begin to get insight and a renewal of faith that God will see us through, that He will make a way when there seems to be no way. It is of great advantage to pour your heart out before the Lord because, as in this case, the answer is often found to the questions or the grace is given to handle the problems. [John Courson, Application Commentary OT, 442]

II. UNBELIEF’S FEAR, 12-14.

In response to the prophet’s prayer God announces that He will act to redeem. In verse 12 God asks His people to examine the cause of their distress. "I, even I, am He who comforts you. Who are you that you are afraid of man who dies, and of the son of man who is made like grass;

I AM He is an expression of self-existence. He does not draw His life or sustain His life from any other source than Himself. He is the source of all life. The reason God is able to comfort His people is because He is the unique incomparable being. Not only did He create the world and bring Israel out of slavery but He is the sovereign of the universe. Out of His unselfish love He brings life, hope, strength, and encouragement to His faithful people, even in the midst of distress.

If God’s actions or lack of actions cause questions about who He is, what do their actions say about them, who they are. They are dominated by fear because of withering man. They do not act like the children of an almighty and trustworthy God. The people and things they fear will wither away after a season like grass.

How must it look to God when we begin thinking and acting as if our fate and well-being rests in the hands of people? How does it look to the One who is in control when we become so afraid of the reaction of people that we are scared and refrain from fully trusting and following God?

Well, Isaiah told us. He said that fearing the reproach of people is foolish because they are dying creatures who have little more real strength and longevity than grass. [Oh yes, the Lord knows what great harm people can do to us (vv. 13,14). But He has the last word. Our future and everlasting well-being depend on Him and Him alone.] Let your faith in Him break the stranglehold of fear. God is the ruler over all.

The thought of verse 13 is that if we live in fear of man we have forgotten who God is. "That you have forgotten the Lord your Maker, Who stretched out the heavens, and laid the foundations of the earth; That you fear continually all day long because of the fury of the oppressor, as he makes ready to destroy? But where is the fury of the oppressor?

The fear of mortals caused them to forget the Eternal Creator. This preoccupation with man and life on earth is the problem. The problem is not God’s seeming lack of miraculously active but that His people have forgotten Him. 

Continuing fear show a lack of faith. It shows our eyes are on man and our circumstances and not on God and His creative power. He is the Mighty Maker of the world and us. He stretched out the endless heavens and hung the earth in space. If we believe He did all this then we need not fear the plans of any angry oppressor.

God then asks them what evidence do they have of what this furious oppressor anyway can do. Did their fears have a solid bases? Did they have real evidence to substantiate them? Often our worry and fear are based on supposition and not reality.

Yes, there are real horrors in the world, but if I dwell on them then I will be ruled by fear or hatred. But if God and His new eternity is my focus, the fear or hatred of the oppressors loses its control over my life. Ultimately all they can do is hurt or kill us. They do not control our destiny. Our life is in our Maker’s mighty hands.

Verse 14 gives concrete confirmation of what action God will take. "The exile will soon be set free, and will not die in the dungeon, nor will his bread be lacking.

God does not allow His people to be oppressed continuously. The oppressor’s rage will be thwarted. God is the God who delivers His people and provides for His people. Always has, always will. Remember who God is and don’t fret or be fearful of who the oppressor is. Trust in who God is.

God’s promise of deliverance and provision has always been the hope of His people. Some may have died before deliverance became an earthly reality, but the exile or deliverance would become a reality. No oppressor will be allowed to continually oppress God’s people.

Since the resurrection of Jesus Christ this promise to God’s new covenant people gives even greater, clearer, brighter hope. Not only is there earthly hope, there is an eternal hope. God will never forget His people. Romans 8:36-39.

[The Spirit could impress this promise to a parent whose child is in the bondage of sin, self, and Satan and has forgotten God or is alienated from God. If so, lay hold of the promise and the hope it gives. Luke 4: 18-19]

III. GOD’S ACTION, 15-16.

Verse 15 conveys the basis for hope as the power and plans of God. "For I am the Lord your God, who stirs up the sea and its waves roar (the Lord of Hosts is His name).

God’s people feared Babylon, but not God. Yes Babylon wanted to enslave them and harm them, but they should also have faith in God’s great power and care. Babylon could make them captive, but God’s power could make them free. Remember who God is. Focus on Him, not them.

Our hopes, our fears, our dreams, our failures, our pride, our insufficiencies, our oppression and our deliverance should all be viewed from the perspective of who God is. The oceans’ roar because He has given them power. Otherwise they would have none. This same God who stirs up the seas will stir up the awesome eternal power of His promises also.

Having stated the power of His promises God now declares that His word will be the means of His powerful deliverance in verse 16. "And I have put My words in your mouth, and have covered you with the shadow of My hand, to establish the heavens, to found the earth, and to say to Zion, ‘You are My people.’"

The way God remakes and establishes His new covenant people and His new creation is by His word. He will bring new order out of the chaos and confusion man has made of life. The word of God has the power to renew life. 

The one who takes hold of the implanted Word of God is the instrument of God to bring about marvelous and amazing changes. This agent would seem most naturally to be the Servant or Messiah. The powerful words are a divine revelation of God. By this word of God placed in their (His) mouth they are (He is) to plant the heavens and found the earth. [Establish is literally plant the heavens as if it is a growing developing organism.] Through the word His redeemed people will be protected and the cosmos will be remade and God’s covenant will be wonderfully acknowledged and reaffirmed. How we need to open our heart and really hear Jesus speak to us the words, "You are My people!." 

The fact that we are God’s covenant people should be comfort enough no matter what our situation is or who is our enemy. How foolish we are to fear what our fellow man thinks of us or will do to us, when God holds life and eternity in His hand. He has good designs for our life no matter the designs of dying man.

As Jesus said in Luke 12: 4 & 5; "I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that have no more that they can do. (5) "But I will warn you whom to fear: fear the One who, after He has killed, has authority to cast into hell; yes, I tell you, fear Him!"

Sermon shared by Dennis Davidson

Isaiah's Apocalypse (Isaiah 24-27)

While studying Isaiah 27 in the last post,  I found that Isaiah 27:1–13 is the final chapter of “Isaiah’s Apocalypse” with Isaiah 24 being the beginning. Since these chapters play an important role I wanted to continue with the study of Isaiah.

The word apocalypse is the Greek name for the book of Revelation. Because much of what is found in the Revelation is found in these four chapters, it is named "The Little Apocalypse of Isaiah." It describes the earth’s devastation and people’s intense suffering during the coming Tribulation and the blessings to follow in the Messianic Kingdom. Like a finale, these chapters can be read by themselves, but their greatest contribution is within the context of the whole book of Isaiah.

In addition to the content, the very structure of these four chapters is also the structure of the book of Revelation. Another way of saying that is that the book of Revelation is an expansion of these four chapters in the book of Isaiah. They are divided into four segments: first, "The Great Tribulation" in Chapter 24; secondly, "The Song of Praise" in Chapter 25; thirdly, "The Song of Salvation" in Chapter 26: 1-19; and fourthly, "The Redemption of Israel" in Chapter 26:20 to 27:13. The overriding theme of the segment is the triumph of God, not only over His enemies but also for His people.

Isaiah 24:1—27:13: People often complain of the injustice of judgment, but in fact, judgment brings justice to its zenith because the justice is completely served.

Sinners have no idea to what degree their sin and guilt have polluted the system of righteousness. God’s judgment is very visible in these four chapters. The language is apocalyptic in style. The strong symbols clearly project God's powerful message. The historical era cannot be determined, but as a follow-up to chapters 13-23, we are not left to doubt its purposed impact on this world and God’s people. God’s righteous people are the focus; the dark background is judgment and calamity.

See note on Mic. 4:1–5.

(Holy Spirit had also said to me "Micah 4" a day before He said Isaiah 27, which is interesting to see it mentioned also in the commentary so I will excerpt it also.)

Micah 4:1–5: Although this is a familiar OT passage, its interpretation varies among Christians. It is obviously prophesying end-time realities, but the degree to which it is to be taken literally (an end-times war involving a return to the use of actual swords, which are afterward literally beaten into plowshares) or symbolically (shall beat their swords into plowshares, symbolizing the eventual cessation of war and evil) is not totally clear. We can, however, grasp its essence—a world under God’s authority and craving instruction in His ways.

Micah  4:1–3: The mountain of the Lord’s house can be seen as referring to the spiritual kingdom of God (Luke 17:20, 21) that Micah says would come in the latter days, a term signifying the coming epoch of the Messiah some seven centuries after Micah. The law here means “instruction,” or “teaching,” and is not a technical term for the Mosaic code. See note on Is. 2:2–4.

Micah 4:4: The authentic look of this peaceful kingdom (1 Kin. 4:25) is portrayed in the rural imagery of a farmer resting outdoors under his grape arbor, or in the shade of his fig tree. The guarantee of peace is secured by the fact the Lord has His angelic armies (hosts) to back up His promise of security.

Micah 4:5: Walking in the name of one’s god indicates identification with that deity. Because human beings are dependent, they take on their deity’s manners and are unashamed to have their name associated with him or her as followers. The faithful boldly assert that the only true God is their God, the Lord (Yahweh). This verse is a stark reminder that vv. 1–4 are yet future, for men are still worshiping other gods. 4:8 The daughter of Zion is not a third party as if there were God, Zion, and a mysterious daughter who descended from Zion. Zion itself is portrayed as God’s daughter. Zion is the high elevation in Jerusalem that was David’s favorite terrain and site of his royal castle. By substituting the most glorious part for the whole, Zion came to stand for the entire city of Jerusalem.

Micah 4:9, 10: The message returns to Judah’s upcoming exile with a note about the restoration that will follow. Babylon, which in Micah’s time was still under the dominion of Assyria, was about 600 miles east of Judah, across the desert to the modern country of Iraq. Micah’s prophecy of deportation to Babylon was fulfilled in 586 b.c. The prophecy of their deliverance or redemption mentioned here was fulfilled in three stages of return for a remnant: 1) 538 b.c., in the time of the Persian monarch Cyrus, under the leadership of Sheshbazzar, Zerubbabel, and Jeshua (Ezra 1—6); 2) 485 b.c., under Ezra (Ezra 7—10); and 3) 444 b.c., under Nehemiah (Neh. 1—13).

Micah 4:13: Zion is pictured as a threshing animal with metal reinforcing its hoofs and horns. The nations (vv. 11, 12) will be “threshed” by Zion so their valuables fall out like kernels of grain. Fulfillment occurred, in part, in the second century b.c. under the Maccabees (meaning “Hammers”) who purified the temple and gained independence from the encircling nations. Beyond this, the fulfillment is left indefinite. See note on 4:1–5.

"The Great Tribulation"

‘The Righteous Coming Through Judgment’

Isaiah 24:1–6: The apocalyptic section opens with a picture of universal judgment for man’s sinfulness. The sin of mankind is clearly defined and summed up in the clause broken the everlasting covenant. There are many covenants made in the OT, but they all point forward to the covenant fulfilled by the atoning death of Christ on the Cross. The ultimate cause of this wrath of God, therefore, is rejection of the gracious offer of salvation made in the gospel of Christ Jesus.

God has not pronounced judgment on these godly people, but He still has ordained them to be in it. This turns our eyes on the theme, “The righteous coming through judgment.”

We first see the fact of His people residing in the midst of God’s judgment. No matter what our perspective might be, the righteous are still feeling the effects of the storm of God’s wrath, though not because of their own sin. God will judge the society and if the righteous are part of that society, then they also will also suffer.

Isaiah 24:7–13: The devastation will include the cessation of festivities (vv. 7–9), followed by total judgment upon the world’s confused society (vv. 10–13). Again, the language is symbolic.

However, the righteous are full of an unexpected joy. Chapter 24 does not go into details but only shows that the righteous are surprisingly joyful about a seemingly unjust situation.

Isaiah 24:14–20 Unidentified voices praise God for righteousness in the judgment (vv. 14–16), followed by a reiteration of the violent judgment (vv. 16–20). John refers to this same principle (Rev. 11:15–18).

Although the godly are suffering because of others, they are full of joy. Ironically, the unrighteous, the lawbreakers, deserve the full fury of God’s wrath but arise and curse God as if it is unjust!

We must allow God to close this scene with judgment, but 24:14-16 brings life back into a threatening atmosphere. Some believe the righteous must avoid the great tribulation because of God’s love. If, however, we look clearly at these four chapters, we see the righteous ones are standing in the middle of the judgment of the ungodly. The focus is not in the purifying of the unzealous people of God like in many places, but on the faithful Israelites and their experiences in judgment.

("Is the Lord mentioning the Jews here and not the Bride of Christ who will be raptured.")

Isaiah 24:21–23: That day: See note on Obad. 15. The Lord of hosts will reign: See note on Rev. 19:6–10.24:23 The moon and sun are outdone by God’s glory.

"The Song of Praise"

‘Hope Displayed in Judgment’

Isaiah 25:1–12: A chapter of praise, which will be sung by God’s righteous throughout history, regardless of judgment. “I” is not Isaiah, but all God’s redeemed, especially those of the final apocalyptic scene.

Hope can radically change our lives. Some psychologists would say it does not matter what the hope is, just so there is hope. However, the hope God gives His obedient people has substance and future reality.

Isaiah 25:2: City is symbolic language for urban life. It should not be identified with one particular city, ancient or future.

Isaiah 25:3–5: At the final judgment all people will honor God and stand in awe of His achievement. God does not give us a dream but a real expectancy of a future good. This is the first key issue. And we must know how God is working out His divine will. Isaiah knows and tells the people how the judgment is working out according to schedule.

Isaiah 25:6–8: In this mountain refers to Mt. Zion and is part of the symbolism that depicts God as being honored at an international feast that He has made. Some see here a reference to the marriage supper of the Lamb (Rev. 19:9). Swallow up death is borrowed by the apostle Paul to describe the effect of the resurrection (1 Cor. 15:54). As a result of this final victory over death, the Lord will wipe away tears (Rev. 21:4).

Genuine hope does not only explain the present difficulties but also presents something to look forward to (25:6-8). God’s plan includes both judgment of the wicked and the strengthening of the righteous. Hope can be derived from one more area. Hope also comes from the judgment of our enemies. This relieves us from anxiety of revenge. This brings the deep personal peace so needed within the most difficult circumstances. God surely settles every account.

Isaiah 25:9–12: This passage consists of three loosely associated units. V. 9 is a thanksgiving for God’s salvation. Moab, representative of all unbelieving nations, will not enjoy the salvation (vv. 10, 11); and all military activity will cease with God’s complete salvation (v. 12).

"The Song of Salvation"

‘Confidence Shown in Judgment’

Isaiah 26:1–21: Continues the song of praise begun in the previous chapter. In that day again marks it as apocalyptic. See note on Obad. 15.

Isaiah 26:1: The strong city is Jerusalem, which symbolizes the salvation of God’s people.

Isaiah 26:3: Perfect peace is expressed in Hebrew by shalom, shalom, a Hebrew method of putting great emphasis on a word. You will keep him in everything the word shalom implies: health, happiness, well-being, peace. The word translated mind is not the usual Hebrew word, but rather is a word meaning “creative imagination.” Isaiah’s thought is that he whose creative imagination, the seat of plans and ideas, is firmly founded on the eternal Lord, will enjoy shalom in all its implications.

This hope is really special, and it can be received by all of God’s people. God really can help His people endure terrible hardships. We see this in the three areas where the righteous show their trust in God.

1) They will have a song to sing out the hope of victory.
2) They will show their deep confidence in God through sincere prayer.
3) They will also bring others into this deep trust of God.

They will share who God is and what He is doing. These righteous ones have shown God’s grace to be sufficient for their endurance. God can in the same way help us by showing where we can gain hope and areas we need to show trust in.

(Again here, my question is, "Is the Lord mentioning the Jews here and not the Bride of Christ, which is the Body of Christ, who will be raptured.")

"The Redemption of Israel"

‘The Foundation of Endurance’

Isaiah 27:1–13: The final chapter of “Isaiah’s Apocalypse” (see note on 24:1—27:13) contains two separate eschatological scenes: God’s final overthrow of evil (v. 1) and His future dealings with Israel, including a retrospective look at the judgment of the northern kingdom (vv. 2–13).

Isaiah 27:1: Leviathan is the name of a creature of chaos in ancient mythology, which is used by Isaiah as a type of God’s enemies who were incited by Satan (Rev. 12:9). It thus personifies evil, which God will ultimately slay.

Isaiah 27:2–11: Again Israel is compared to a vineyard, but unlike the vineyard in 5:1–7, this one will be fruitful (v. 6), because idolatry will be purged by the judgment of exile (v. 9). Struck Israel: God disciplined the northern kingdom, but His dealing with Israel will differ from the way He deals with the nations that He permits to strike Israel. They will perish; Israel will be purged and redeemed.

You might wonder how all this is possible. But it is!

This is Isaiah’s message in this chapter. Our hope is from God and in Him. Our confidence is not in ourselves. God keeps His people (27:2-6). He will care for His people with such intensity that we can hardly believe. He protects His people. He will destroy her enemies. God Himself will make peace with those desiring to make peace.

Isaiah 27:12,13: Gathered: There will be a regathering of a remnant, not only from Assyria and Egypt, but at last from all nations. Israel and Jerusalem: See note on Zech. 8:1–17.

God will use these judgments to make His people to increase their godly character. He uses the judgments to reveal the identity of His faithful ones. God’s plan is a mighty plan. it includes the judgment of the wicked as well as the strengthening of His godly ones. He is sovereignly working out His design to preserve His people of all ages for His glory.

(Again here,  "Is the Lord mentioning the Jews here and not the Bride of Christ, which is the Body of Christ, who will be raptured.")

Key Verses

This lesson contains a number of wonderful prophecies and encouragements.

"In that day the LORD will punish the powers in the heavens above and the kings on the earth below. They will be herded together like prisoners bound in a dungeon; they will be shut up in prison and be punished after many days."(Isaiah 24:21-22)

"You have been a refuge for the poor, a refuge for the needy in his distress, a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat." (Isaiah 25:4)

"On this mountain the LORD Almighty will prepare a feast of rich food for all peoples, a banquet of aged wine -- the best of meats and the finest of wines." (Isaiah 25:6)

"On this mountain he will destroy the shroud that enfolds all peoples, the sheet that covers all nations; he will swallow up death forever. The Sovereign LORD will wipe away the tears from all faces." (Isaiah 25:7-8a)

"You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal." (26:3-4)

"Though grace is shown to the wicked, they do not learn righteousness;
even in a land of uprightness they go on doing evil and regard not the majesty of the LORD." (Isaiah 26:10)

"But your dead will live; their bodies will rise.  You who dwell in the dust, wake up and shout for joy. Your dew is like the dew of the morning; the earth will give birth to her dead." (Isaiah 26:19)

"In that day the LORD will thresh from the flowing Euphrates to the Wadi of Egypt, and you, O Israelites, will be gathered up one by one.  And in that day a great trumpet will sound.  Those who were perishing in Assyria and those who were exiled in Egypt will come and worship the LORD on the holy mountain in Jerusalem." (Isaiah 27:12-13)

Summary and Application

The righteous go through judgment because God takes them through it. They need not fear but in order to obtain this hope, they must hold onto it. God’s loving design and promises become the basic reasons for our hope, trust and perseverance.

(Again here, "Is the Lord mentioning the Jews here and not the Bride of Christ, which is the Body of Christ, who will be raptured.")

Bits and Pieces of Biblical Foundations For Freedom

~My Glimpses of Heaven with Divine Guidance by Debi Webster Perry

Is the USA in the Bible? Great American Eclipse Aug 21st, 2017 a Real End Time Sign?