ALL IN

"All In" comes from Acts 2:42-47, where the Holy Spirit fell on Jesus's disciples and transformed the hearts and lives of everyone present on the Day of Pentecost. Over the next month, these devotions and verses by Faith Promise pastors and staff will lay out God’s plan to mobilize us to bring about the next great move of God.
PUBLISHER
We would like to thank Faith Promise for providing this plan. For more information, please visit: http://www.faithpromise.org

He is risen! Whether or not it’s the Easter season, our hearts need a daily reminder of the power of the resurrection.

In this 10-day reading plan from The Worship Initiative, tune your heart to the beautiful reality that Jesus is alive and at work in your life. Download the worship songs as a companion on this journey!

PUBLISHER
We would like to thank The worship initiative for providing this plan. For more information, please visit: https://theworshipinitiative.com

HEAL - God's Heart for Healing in Matthew
30 Days

This 30-day study examines the healing accounts of Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew.
 

• How did He heal, who, when, why and what can you learn from Him?

• Jesus' healing ministry addresses body, soul and spirit. 

This study may change the way you view healing, and most importantly draw you closer to our Heavenly Father.

PUBLISHER
We would like to thank HealingStrong for providing this plan. For more information, please visit: https://healingstrong.org

21 Prayers Every Christian Should Pray
(21 Days)
Join with us at Resonate Church as we journey through this devotional plan over the next three weeks.

Twenty-one simple, Bible-based prayers that will enrich your prayer life and help you draw closer to God.

PUBLISHER
We would like to thank Bethel Church at Vista Pointe for providing this plan. For more information, please visit:
http://www.medfordbethel.com

New Year: Fresh Perspective. Renewed Purpose.
10 Days

In this 10-day devotional, we explore the perspective needed to kick the new year off right! Discover how to realign your heart, mind, and goals to seek after the heart and will of God and watch as your God-given purpose and passion is renewed!

We would like to thank Calvary Chapel Ft. Lauderdale for providing this plan.

Four Gifts of Christmas

When the Magi found Jesus, they honoured Him with gifts: Gold for the everlasting King, Frankincense for the Wonderful Counsellor, Myrrh for the Mighty Warrior, and Worship for the Prince of Peace. How will you honour Him today?

PUBLISHER
We would like to thank 'More Than Warriors' for providing this plan.

The Whisper of God: An Invitation to the Secret Place
(5 Days)
A loud voice easily draws a crowd. It takes purposeful intention to lean into a whisper. “Shhh, I’m trying to listen.” The whisper of God is an invitation to the secret place. He gently whispers, we lean in. The heart of this devotional is to spark your passion for the secret place and lead you into the depths of communion! The Lover of your soul is calling, will you come?

We would like to thank Christ for the Nations for providing this plan.

Please Note: Resonate Devotions for Isaiah will resume on 1st February 2021.

By Tom Mitchell

Personal Thoughts: 
Chapter 45 sees God call and anoint a non-believer, Cyrus, to be used to ensure His purposes for the Jewish nation are fulfilled. It also confirms that He is the only one true God and Saviour of the world.

Key Points:
 1 - Cyrus is Called 
Cyrus was a successful Persian conqueror whom God used to successfully see to the release of the Jews from captivity and deliverance from their bondage. God clearly used Cyrus as His instrument in many ways. However, verse 13 is a clear indication of what God can do to ensure His purposes are fulfilled.
Verse 13 says,
‘ “I have raised him up in righteousness, And I will direct all his ways;
He shall build My city, And let My exiles go free, Not for price nor reward,”
says the Lord of hosts.’
I love this verse because it shows the heart of God even for those who are not technically called His people. Although Cyrus was not a Jew, God saw that He could input into Cyrus what was needed to ensure the release of the Jewish nation.
God can and will use anyone that He chooses to achieve His desired outcome whether it is a believer or a non-believer.  The perfect example of that is the life of the apostle Paul. Going from a persecutor of God and His people to being sold out for God even till death.
If God wants you to be a part of His plan for any purpose He can and will, “direct all of your ways".

2 - The One True God
Isaiah continues with his explanation of who God is. He is the one and true God and Saviour of the world. Isaiah goes on to explain in verse 16 that those who don’t believe will be put to shame and be disgraced. To the contrary of what will happen when we believe and put our trust in the one true God, and that is the promise of our salvation and the promise that we will not be ashamed or disgraced -  the important statement here is the words “forever more”.
The remainder of this chapter is full of exaltations and direction on how we are to live and maintain our lives in Him which then, in turn, will enable us to truly worship our Lord and Saviour.

Final Thoughts:
To me, this chapter clearly shows God’s heart and desire for His people. We know He loves us unconditionally and His purposes for our lives are foremost. Take hold of His promises for your life and continue to be obedient to Him. The results of that obedience are for us to be able to freely worship Him and Him alone.

By John Horsburgh

Opening Thoughts:
This chapter has three distinct sections:  encouragement for God’s people (vv. 1 -  8), a discourse on the futility of idols (vv. 9 - 20) and a call to honour and trust in the Lord (vv. 21 - 28).

Key Points:
1. Verse 3:  “I will pour water on him who is thirsty, I will flood the dry ground, I will pour out my spirit and blessing on your children.”
There has been much debate about the significance of water in the language of Scripture but however we look at it, water is an essential nutrient for life. Anyone who has ever been thirsty will appreciate the relief that comes with a simple glass of cold water and many of us will have seen the transformation when rain brings drought to an end. Christ spoke a blessing on those who would hunger and thirst for righteousness, and Paul’s letter to the church in Ephesus speaks of the washing of water by the word of God.
If we are thirsting after Godliness, the Father’s promise is that we will be cleansed and sustained by the water of His word.

2. Who can argue with the logic of vv. 16 - 17?
Here we have described for us the uses that the idol maker has for a block of wood. Fire for warmth, heat for cooking and with the remains of the wood he carves himself a deaf and blind idol. He worships the work of his own hands. It seems silly when we see it in that light but for many in the world today the same idolatry exists only the 'god' is not a carving but whatever it is we place above God.
Money, power, work and even good things like family can become idols that we use to remove God from the throne of our lives. While those things can be wonderful servants and nice to have, giving them pre-eminence in our lives and supplanting God from the throne of our heart will always bring emptiness and futility.

3. The better alternative is to remember God and His forgiveness, to embrace the redemption that He offers to us... free of charge. The heavens and the earth are both exhorted to sing for what the Lord has achieved with our redemption. We are told that the heavens rejoice and the angels sing at the repentance of one sinner; and our own joy at being freed from the power of sin and death should also bring a song of praise to our own lips.

Closing Thoughts:
There are only two choices available to us - either we serve God or we serve the enemy.
Satan is defeated and Christ is the one who is the Captain of the winning team. In the early parts of the Word, God speaks and says, “choose you this day whom you will serve” and “I have set before you blessing and cursing, life and death… choose life.” 

We still have that choice before us and as God told his people to choose life, He is still giving the same good advice… CHOOSE LIFE… CHOOSE LIFE…

By Catherine Mitchell

Opening Thoughts:  
Here we see the children of Abraham, the chosen servants of God, who were a type of Christ, meeting for the first time via Isaiah’s vision, the Ultimate Servant Christ. He is the fulfilment of the type which they were, and the One in whom the God of Abraham would be fully glorified: Acts 3:13 AMP “The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified His Servant and Son Jesus [doing Him this honour], He is the One…” 
I wonder what Israel made of this prophecy?  They alone, until this word, had been endowed with the status of being the Servants of the Lord.  

Key Points:
1: The Ultimate Servant - Vs 1
It is true that Abraham’s descendants were set apart as special; God’s chosen vessels, covenanted with promise, witnesses and instruments of divine revelation and the chosen lineage of Messiah.  It must have been hard for them to swallow the facts surrounding the Elect One; God’s Ultimate Servant, the coming Messiah. He would be a more honoured Servant, delighting the soul of their God and carrying the special endowment of His Spirit.  What’s more, vs 6 - 9 expressed to them the unsurpassed difference that this Ultimate Servant would make. He would make all things new.  
He would take their familiar covenant and make it a former thing by fulfilling it.  He would extend His hand to all people, lift them out of the dark pit of sin’s condemnation and make them to know His glory.  Through Him, new things would spring forth! Gentile nations would be made special too!

2: His Greatest Servitude - Vs 4
Here is the reason for this Servant’s honour. Here is the reason He delights God’s soul: It is for His greatest servitude - His Obedience to God unto death.  He did not fail. He did not give way to discouragement. He, through His servanthood, has established His blood-bought justice in all the earth for the Jew first and then the Gentiles too.   Phil 2: 6-8  "Who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross."

3:  His Gentle Touch - Vs3
History records a metaphor concerning the harsh Assyrian King Esarhaddon: He bragged that “all those not subservient to him, even kings not subservient to him, he snapped like a marsh reed and subdued them under his feet.”
This Servant King, the Elect One, would not practice such harshness on the frail nation of Israel, nor would he discard the Gentiles when they come to Him in repentance, rather He would hold their hand and heal them. Though both these nations, Israel and the Gentiles were bruised, smouldering and vulnerable because of their sin, Isaiah comforts them  with the promise of a meek and merciful Messiah who will care for them as a gentle ruler who ministers justice and truth.  

Closing thoughts:
Vs 25 & Vs 17   -  Having heard Isaiah’s vision, God’s children did not take it to heart; they did not love Him exclusively.
Put down your moulded image for a moment and take some time to take to heart, really take to heart, the justice and truth of our Ultimate Servant: Jesus.

By Paul Rich

Opening Thoughts:
Isaiah 42:9  - “Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare; before they spring forth I tell you of them.”
The accuracy of Scripture is truly amazing! Hundreds of years before this event, God lays out His plan in detail. If it was left to me to prophesy, I'd be a little more general, like, "It will rain in the near future",  and I'd be as accurate as modern-day weather bureaus. But God wanted people to know His plan for mankind.

1. The Christ
In the opening verse of this chapter we read, "The one in whom I delight" and "the Spirit will be on Him." This was re-emphasised when Jesus was baptised. In Matthew 3:16-17  we read, 'As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him, I am well pleased."'

2. Saving Grace
Isaiah 42:3 - “A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out. In faithfulness he will bring forth justice.”
I don't know about you, but, at times, I question my own faithfulness. Like the apostle Paul, I seem to do the things I don't want to and don't do the things I should. It is just as Paul said, "Oh wretched man that I am!"  But then there's grace and the justification that comes through belonging to Christ. He won't give up on any of us.

3. True Freedom
Isaiah 42:7 - “to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness.”
Although the imagery here is physical, it can't possibly be taken that way, after all, people are put in prison for good reason.
I like to use this verse when I'm praying for the lost. "Lord, open their eyes so they can see where they are heading. Let them see your saving grace."
Sin is like an addictive drug. It can ensnare you, and before you know it you’re trapped. There are all sorts of excuses that can keep us sinning; eg "Those road signs are ridiculous, so I can ignore them." Or,  "I can't help it when I lash out in anger, it's my nature!"
These prisons we find ourselves in don't have locks on the doors any more. Jesus has paid the price and we are free to escape. The big question is -  Do we want to?

Final Thoughts:
Isaiah 42:10(a)  -  "Sing to the LORD a new song, his praise from the ends of the earth..."
Long before Jesus walked this earth, Isaiah foretold His goodness. Here we are in 2020 still receiving His benefits on a daily basis.
I think that's reason enough to praise His name.

By John Horsburgh

Opening Thoughts:
Remembering that the Bible was not written in chapters and verses, it is hard not to want to include the last few verses of Chapter 40 to give context to Chapter 41. There is so much promise in this chapter but it follows on from a verse that tells us that, “they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength.” This is not a casual nod to the possibility of a god but a dedication to being fully committed to the King of Kings and to being sold out to the one true God.

Key Points:
1. ‘Keep silence before me… let the people renew their strength.’ 
The language used may have had a reality to the Israelites but the truth of this word is very much for the church. We need to appreciate the awesome nature of God and that if we were to come face to face with Him we would not be inclined to be frivolous, but that any sound that came from us would be only worship for His majesty. At the same time, there would be an exchange made in His presence. The word “renew” carries the concept of God exchanging our weakness for His strength; and as I look back at the New Testament heroes of the faith, those men and women exhibited a strength that, as yet, I can only imagine. Let us grow in our worship of the Living God and allow His strength to build us into a body, a family that will see our Heavenly Father loved and worshipped across our community.

2. ‘Fear not for I am with you… ‘
So many times when the heavenly realm is opened to humanity the first words spoken are, “fear not”. We have been called by God. Vs 9 says, “you whom I have taken from the ends of the earth… you are my servant I have chosen you and not cast you away” - then follows the “fear not”. We have a task to do and we have all been given talents, abilities and gifts that we need to use for His kingdom. Not only has He promised to be with us but He has provided us with the family of faith that we might work together, to support one another and that our gifts would complement each other. We don’t have to take on the world by ourselves, that task would be too hard, but together, as a family using the combined strengths God has given us, we will see His name lifted high because He is with us.

3. ‘Behold I will make you a new sharp threshing instrument…’
Christ has sent us out into the harvest and in that we often overlook the natural harvest events. We mostly think of harvest as bringing in the grain but there is more to it than that. In Isaiah’s time, the harvest was a team effort where men and women laboured in the fields cutting off small handfuls of stalks. No one person had to bring in the whole harvest on their own. Moreover, the reaper did not have to prepare the grain for its intended purpose. The grain was threshed to separate it from the husks and the chaff; and this gives a beautiful image of the manner in which the ministry gifts ought to be operating in the church. The harvest is brought in under the guidance of the evangelist and the grain is then given to the prophet, teacher and pastor to assist the new believer as they begin their new life in the family of Christ.

Closing Thoughts:
As with much of Isaiah, this chapter has both uplifting words and the contrasting words of judgment against those who oppose God. We need to use both aspects of these writings to encourage us to love and obey God but also to spur us to greater efforts to win the lost away from the grasp of the enemy and into the heart of the church, the Bride of Christ.

By Jacob Muthsam

Personal Thoughts:
We have come to a junction and a turning point in the book of Isaiah.  The previous 39 chapters carried a large focus on warnings and judgement (although, not without sections of hope and encouragement).
But from here, in this chapter, there is a real shift.  It now turns to be a prophetic message - that the future is filled with goodness and blessing and favour.

Key Points:
1. God Desires His People Are Comforted.
Verse 1 - ‘’Comfort Comfort my People says the Lord.’’  

Chapters 1-35 are prophetic chapters; Chapters 36-39 are known as historical chapters and now Chapters 40-66 are Messianic chapters. We now start focusing on the coming Messiah.

I find comfort that, right through Scripture, we see a fantastic balance.  One does not work without the other -  Jesus called it Truth and Love.  Here in Isaiah, it’s Warn/Instruct & Comfort.

This passage reminds us that God’s will is to bring comfort for and to His people.
This comfort will come in the way of salvation.  This is a prophetic reminder and declaration of the Messiah that is to come.
The first 11 verses are all centred around and about, ‘a hope’ and ‘a comfort’ that is to come in a Messiah.

2. We Are Blessed To Live in a Period Of Hindsight.
What I mean by this, is that we read the passages about a Messiah who is to come, about a Saviour that will redeem, when He already has!
While we read it from a post-event position, the readers whom the Book of Isaiah was originally penned for, didn’t have that luxury. So, imagine being those people waiting and waiting for deliverance, waiting for a God you'd read about in the ancient texts, but perhaps didn’t know in great detail.

In verses 12-16, Isaiah uses “Who has” phrased questions around creation to paint for the people an image and understanding of the amazingness of God and of the Messiah who is to come.

3. It’s All About Hope.
Verses 30-31  - "Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength."

All of us get weary and all of us have seasons of entrapment. The people, for whom this was written, were going to be slaves.
Anyone who is trapped will eventually get tired and weary, but those of us who look towards the Messiah can have ‘a hope.’

Final Thoughts:
God is a God of instruction and warning, yet He is a God who loves His people and desires for them to have comfort and to have hope.
-  Do you allow God to be your Hope and your comfort?

By Darryl Flaherty

Opening Thoughts:
“The time will surely come when everything in your palace, and all that your predecessors have stored up until this day, will be carried off to Babylon. Nothing will be left, says the LORD.” Isaiah 39:6

Hezekiah had faithfully followed God and led the nation towards God all his life but as we saw in Chapter 38, he came down with a sickness and was told he would die. After turning his face to the wall in prayer to God, he was told he would live another fifteen years.

Key Points:
1.  The king of Babylon had heard of Hezekiah’s sickness and recovery, and so he sent envoys to him with letters and a gift. When they showed up, Hezekiah showed them everything that he had in his entire kingdom. Right after showing all this stuff, Hezekiah was told that after he dies the kingdom would be taken from his descendants. Hezekiah was happy with that; he was pleased because the bad stuff was going to happen after he died, and things were going to be good for him until then.

At first glance, I looked at his parenting. How bad is it that he was told what would happen to his children and, yet he was happy because he would be fine. But next, I was asking why all his stuff would be taken away? And what did he do that was so wrong that would have everything taken away from his descendants?

2.  As Hezekiah was showing off all the stuff that had been accumulated over the years, he did it without giving God the credit. It was pride that was showing off everything. The king of Babylon had sent a gift because of the illness and recovery. It had nothing to do with what had been accumulated or done before.
It was a great opportunity to tell the king of Babylon how he had recovered from the illness, how God had healed him. It was not the time to show off all the treasures.

There are times when God may do a healing or some other miracle in a person’s life. Often, instead of pointing people to what God has done, they continue with life and show off what they have done.

Final Thoughts:
When God does some healing or miracle in your life, take the time to show people what God did in that situation. Point people to who God is and His great mercy on you.

Do not be like the rest of the world and point them to what you have accomplished in life. The pride of the things you have accumulated may be a downfall and failure in the eyes of God.
You did not get all that you have because of your own power; it was blessed to you by God and His power.
Do not allow pride to bring your downfall at the end of your life.

By Leanne Rich

Opening Thoughts:
Such a moving chapter!
I have a few thoughts about this chapter that may help us when we are suffering.

Key Points: Learning from suffering and sickness

1.Hezekiah gave thanks for the time he was ill. In that time he repented of pride and promised he would lead the rest of his life with a humble heart (verse 15).
Hezekiah learned that the most important thing in life is hearing from God. In verses 15-16 he said:
"But what can I say? He has spoken to me, and he himself has done this.
I will walk humbly all my years because of this anguish of my soul.
Lord, by such things people live; and my spirit finds life in them too."
He learned that God's very words are the source of life. God created everything by His word. He spoke and it was.
It reminds me of John 1:14, “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us."
And in John 6:68, 'Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life."'

2. Sickness bought Hezekiah time to put himself right with God. Sickness saved him from greater anguish of facing hell for not repenting of his sins.
In verse 17 Hezekiah says, "Surely it was for my benefit that I suffered such anguish.
In your love you kept me from the pit of destruction; you have put all my sins behind your back."

3. Sickness brought about a realignment of Hezekiah's priorities.
Verses 19-20 demonstrates this:  
"The living, the living—they praise you, as I am doing today; parents tell their children about your faithfulness. The Lord will save me, and we will sing with stringed instruments all the days of our lives in the temple of the Lord."
Hezekiah was king of Judah and a warrior. He must have been pretty busy running his kingdom and battles. Maybe too busy to spend much time with family and in worship and church and devotions.
Being sick gave him time to realise these failures and to realign his priorities to be at home more teaching his kids and be serving, using his talents, in the Lord's temple.

Final Thoughts:
Sickness can be a time for us to slow down, hear from the Lord, put our lives right and realign our priorities.
Before we ask for prayer for healing, let's remember the words of James: (James 5:14-16)
"Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:
And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.
Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."

By Tom Mitchell

Opening Thoughts:
This chapter sees Judah’s enemies trying to intimidate them with their prideful accusations,  arrogance and by casting fear over the inhabitants of Judah.  We also see Hezekiah’s example of what to do when we are overwhelmed - we are to stand strong on the Word of God when experiencing hard times. Finally, we see the results of God’s continued protection over His people. There is so much in this chapter. Again, I encourage you to explore it further, however, today I want to highlight several of the main points that spoke to me in Chapter 37.

Point 1
Isaiah 37:1 says:
"And it came to pass, when king Hezekiah heard it,  (that is the bad news which the messengers brought back from meeting with the Assyrians) that he rent his clothes, and covered himself with sackcloth, and went into the house of the LORD."
When Hezekiah hears this bad news, he immediately goes into mourning. He tears his regular clothes from himself and puts on sackcloth, the garment of mourning.
This term refers to the ancient Hebrew custom of indicating humility before God by wearing a coarse cloth, normally used to make sacks, and dusting oneself with ashes.  This was a reaction by Hezekiah that symbolised his grief, repentance and remorse. The nation was to repent and the king was to lead the way.

Point 2
The second part of verse 1 says, "and Hezekiah went into the house of the LORD." 
Hezekiah was a man of God and he knew that with such aggression and looming attacks from the Assyrians there was only one course of action on Judah’s part; that was to go to their source of strength - to the House of the Lord, to pray and seek God’s direction and help in their very time of need. There was no time for consulting or procrastinating. It was a time for decisive action. It was time for them to lean on God.
During our own challenging times, do we render our clothes and heap ashes over ourselves and then go to God in prayer? Or is it the last thing we tend to do? God is calling all of us to make Him our first place to go to in our times of need and comfort.  Deuteronomy 31:6 says:
“Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.”
Just as Hezekiah went into the house of the Lord to pray and to draw his strength from God Himself, so too are we able to draw from that very same strength.

Point 3
Isaiah 37:17 says:
"Incline thine ear, O LORD, and hear; open thine eyes, O LORD, and see: and hear all the words of Sennacherib, which hath sent to reproach the living God."
Hezekiah realises that his only hope is in God. In the physical sense, Hezekiah cannot win. He reminds God that this Sennacherib is not only threatening him but God as well. He is actually ridiculing the God of Hezekiah.
The second half of Chapter 37 deals with the effects of those who go against God. In this instance, it is about the demise of Sennacherib himself. It details what can and will happen to those who believe that they are better and above God.
It is a reminder to us all that there is only one true God. It is also a stark reminder of what can happen if we put ourselves on a pedestal about God.

Final Thoughts:
When we are being attacked from fear and intimidation, there is only one place for us to go and that is to go the House of the Lord. It is a time for us to pray and seek His guidance and help. Through our humble prayers, we can and will see God conquer our enemies.

By John and Anne Horsburgh 

Opening Thoughts:
The Assyrian king came to attack and capture God’s people and he sent one of his men to challenge Hezekiah and the Israelites. His challenge was, “Why waste your lives trusting in your God?” But he also spoke of the fallacy of trusting in Egypt. He was quite correct to say that Egypt would be of no value. How foolish to challenge God and equate Him with the idols of the surrounding peoples!

Key Points:

1. The reality is that the Assyrians were bullies.  They were deliberately baiting the Israelites and attempting to put fear into the hearts of the common men of Israel - vs 14, “don’t let Hezekiah deceive you” and “don’t put your trust in the Lord”.   The enemy will always try to cause us to lose our faith in God, chiselling away at our beliefs and looking for weak spots.  Today, we see the failure of some in the church causing many to challenge the leadership of the clergy and turn their back on God.  This can be difficult when it is someone you know.  Emotions get involved.  Who are we listening to?  

2. “I will take you away to a land on bread and vineyards” (verse 17)                                           The world will make all kinds of promises, but these do not compare to the promises of God.  They may certainly sound very good and catch our attention.  Remember, what the world promises may be fleeting, or you may have to sell your soul. There is always a catch. We are always warned to read the fine print.   Again, who are we listening to?  Our God is faithful with His promises until the end of time as we understand it and beyond.

3. “but they held their peace and answered him not”  (verse 21)                                                     We need to stand resolute in our faith. Many times that will mean that we need to close our ears to the temptations which emanate from the enemy of God and the enemy of our spirit. 

Final Thoughts:
The enemy may appear to hold the upper hand sometimes if we only take a superficial look.  Look at the truth of God.  For it is that at the last hurdle, our God is the one who has the promise of the greatest value.

By Paul Rich

Opening Thoughts:
Take a moment to consider the condition of your spiritual heart. Are you looking at life through your natural eyes, or are you quietly confident in spite of what you are going through?
 
Key Points:
1.Isaiah 35:1-2 
“The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom. Like the crocus, it will burst into bloom; it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy. The glory of Lebanon will be given to it, the splendour of Carmel and Sharon; they will see the glory of the Lord, the splendour of our God.”
We all go through tough times and perhaps they seem to never end. Year after year you look for that break, hoping that God's favour will shine. The interesting thing about a desert is that it only takes a small amount of rain to make it turn green and come alive. The potential was always there. You couldn't see it. There was no evidence. But it was there, nonetheless.
Isaiah 35:3-4
“Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way; say to those with fearful hearts, "Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you."
I find that life is full of wants and wishes. Hearts are easily distracted by these things and we can miss what is really important; that is, what is God wanting at this point in life?

2. Isaiah 35:5-7 
“Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped.  Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy. Water will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert.  The burning sand will become a pool, the thirsty ground bubbling springs. In the haunts where jackals once lay, grass and reeds and papyrus will grow.”
 In God's time, we will see, hear, do, and laugh about our ordeals. The hard times will turn green and bear fruit. Keep the faith for He is faithful.

3. Isaiah 35:8-10 
“And a highway will be there; it will be called the Way of Holiness; it will be for those who walk on that Way. The unclean will not journey on it; wicked fools will not go about on it.  No lion will be there, nor any ravenous beast; they will not be found there. But only the redeemed will walk there, and those the Lord has rescued will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.”
A Way of Holiness is a safe passage, set aside for those who trust in the Lord. There's plenty of distractions along the way but we don't 'have to' fall for them.
 
Closing Thoughts:
I like what the psalmist says in Psalm 55:22, "Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken."  In 1 Corinthians 16:13, Paul says, "Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong."
The best thing is that we don't achieve this using our own strength. In Matthew 11:28-30, we read, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

By Catherine Mitchell

Opening Thoughts:
Read the chapter a few times - you will need to for here in the chapter titled, “The Judgment of the Nations”, the Battle of Armageddon is foretold.  Mathew Henry labels it, “a prophecy of the wars of the Lord.”  Think of two movies, Armageddon and Wars of the World. Now roll them into one and then understand that the story here is fact, not fiction; the enemy here will not be defeated for He is the Lord of Divine Judgement and Vengeance, and the ending scene here is final destruction.
For the Powers of the doomed Nations, there will be no hope of a new world.  This is a chapter depicting destruction, desolation and decaying eternal rot.  “He has ordained a lot for them; His hand allotted their portion with a measuring line, they will dwell in it from generation to generation.” (Verse 17)

Keys Points:
1. The Fury  (verses 1-2)
Pay Attention: Shake yourself up to hear, all you who come from the earth! For the Lord’s patience is worn, his anger builds and wrath towards His enemies is on the boil.  He is furious, hence the bloodshed of the nations at enmity with the church has been decreed.  Soon the wafting stench of their corpses will rise over rivers which flow with the blood of their guilt.  (Selah.) I cannot believe I must write such dreadfulness.

2.  The  Horror (verse 8)
The Edomite’s betrayed Israel and treated her like an enemy. They are a picture of those who betray and harm the Kingdom of Christ; these are the antichrist kingdoms and its kings, princes, rulers and beast. Zion is a picture of the Kingdom of God and His Bride.  My mind scrambles to comprehend the dramatic horror of the season waiting for the kingdom of the antichrist and those who oppose Christ’s Church.  The day of Christ’s wrath and the year of His vengeance are indeed sealed. We must wait patiently for the deliverance of Zion, assess the times, herald the gospel and trust His mercy, for it is extended to the faithful but His wrath is extended to all others.

3. The Scroll (verse 16)
Search The Scroll: As we currently search out the meaning of the scroll of Isaiah, harmonious pieces of truth unfold -  some shocking and some saving.   Let us read the scroll, balancing the shocking with the incomprehensible grace of our Redeemer and even more diligently search for a greater awareness of His Kingdom.

Closing Thoughts:
The Spirit (verse 16)
The immovable, incorruptible, unchangeable Wind of God will never lose His Power.  The Wind of His command will continue to blow across the earth even until the end of time.  Here He moves His creatures, mate with mate, to their new breeding ground. As He did before the first destruction, for Noah, so He will do after the last. There, in the land of desolation, they will inhabit and rule.  
Do not be disheartened. Although Spirit-Filled believers will have exited the earth at this time, the Wind of the will of God will continue to have total control. Here in this final verse, stop to rejoice, for even in the midst of all horror we see the Holy Spirit at the helm steering and directing, implementing and ruling and ensuring the fulfilment of His word. In the shocking and in the saving; He is always breathing, always perfecting and always controls the final move.      

By John Horsburgh

Opening Thoughts:
It would take far more than a short devotion to garner the full meaning of much of the language used in this chapter, in fact, in a lot of this book. For example, vs 9 uses “Lebanon”, “Sharon” and “Bashan” to convey meaning, but these names do not hold the same meaning for us as they did for those in Isaiah’s time. These names are significant of pride, wealth (plenty) and strength; and their judgment sees ‘pride’ become ashamed, ‘plenty’ become a wilderness and ‘strength’ become feeble. This is looking to a day when those that stand against God and His people will face their judgment but it is also a chapter filled with praise and worship.

Key Points:

1. Vs 2  - “O Lord, be gracious to us, we have waited for you, be our arm (our strength) be our salvation”.                                                                                                                                                       In a time of desperation, this prayer rises up seeking the help of God who has always been watching over His people, as He still does today. Here natural Israel was “waiting” but as spiritual Israel, we are not waiting any longer as we have the revealed Son of God as our Lord and Saviour. It is now our task to walk in the reality of His salvation knowing that even though the battle is still being fought on earth, that the war has already been decided in the Heavens. It’s not a matter of pride in our own achievement; it is the simple truth that Christ has already cast the enemy down. We are the victors because Christ has laid out the victory for us.

2. Vss. 5 and 6 - Whether we see it or not, the truth is that the Lord is exalted. He has made His justice, righteousness, wisdom and knowledge our heritage, our treasure. Treasure is not always found in the easiest place to look and we have seen that in the world’s history many times when people threw caution to the wind and spent their lives searching for gold, precious stones or pearls. We have a key here. Don’t waste our lives seeking transient earthly treasures but let us seek and find the true treasure that will bring us home to our Father. Knock and the door will be open to you, seek and you will find. 

3. The promise at the end of this chapter is amazing, “You shall see the King in His beauty” and “the inhabitants shall not be sick and will be forgiven”.                                                                       Yes, we live in the world and we face that reality every day of our lives. We need food, water and shelter and we suffer the same reality as our neighbours but where is our citizenship? This passage is about looking beyond the current reality and seeing the future with faith and assurance. Our future is Christ, and His words to us are recorded so that we can search out the truth and know in our heart that He has gone ahead to prepare a place for us, “in my Father’s house there are many mansions”.                                                                                             Let us always remember, He is coming back to claim His own.

Final Thoughts:
Christ’s words are ringing through my head. In Matthew 6:19-21, He addresses the crowds and says - "do not store up treasure on this earth where moth, rust and thieves can destroy but store up treasure in heaven, for where your treasure is, is where your heart will be…"

Father, in this time we are surrounded by all that the world can offer. Let us use these things wisely but help us to keep you as the treasure of our heart…

By Leanne Rich

Personal Thoughts:
I want to look at the easily overlooked blessings in this chapter. There are four that I've identified.
In verse 15 we read, 'This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength,...'

Point 1:- Repentance and rest = salvation
Salvation is, for our part, an acknowledgement that we are wrong and God is right, and that we have failed to measure up in so many ways. We can't save ourselves from our due punishment. God is the one who saves us by providing a suitable substitute in the perfect son of God. For us, all that is left to do is to rest in that knowledge that the work of salvation is finished.

Point 2: Quietness and trust = strength
How hard it is to find quietness within! Our world is so noisy. Phones, people talking, but worst of all is the chattering in our heads - a head full of thoughts from waking to sleep each day. It is so difficult to switch off that kind of noise. Imagination and thinking about what flits into the mind can lead to distress. For example, we can be driving down a hill and imagine running off the road at night, being trapped, phone out of reach, etc etc.
But 2 Cor 10:5 entreats us to '...demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.'
This is the switch to turning off the chatter. We have to take our thoughts captive and make them align to Jesus.

Philippians 4:8 tells us, 'Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.'

Can you imagine how different you would feel if you could consistently think about lovely things instead of worst-case scenarios? Trust Jesus to look after the future, which is often what we worry about - things that haven't even happened yet.

Point 3: Grace
Verse 18 (The Message): ‘But God’s not finished. He’s waiting around to be gracious to you. He’s gathering strength to show mercy to you. God takes the time to do everything right—everything. Those who wait around for him are the lucky ones.’
What a beautiful word is Grace. The Collins Dictionary defines grace as follows: 'In Christianity and some other religions, grace is the kindness that God shows to people because He loves them.'

Point 4: Mercy
Mercy, my second favourite word in the Bible. The Collins Dictionary has 2 definitions of mercy; this is the one I think suits the context:
'Mercy is used to describe a special journey  to help someone in great need, such as people who are sick or made homeless by war.'

So rewording verse 18: 'But God’s not finished. He’s waiting around to be kind to you because He loves you. He’s gathering strength to help you in your critical time of need. God takes the time to do everything right—everything. Those who wait around for him are the lucky ones.'

Final Thoughts:
These beautiful words bring us rest and peace. We need to practice keeping a humble, open heart towards God, corralling our thoughts, and waiting for God's perfect answer to every situation in life which we have to face.
Remember, God loves you and me.

By Tom Mitchell

Personal Thoughts: 
This chapter begins with yet another severe warning to us, “Woe to Ariel” or “Woe to Jerusalem”. This opening statement should make us stand up and listen to what Isaiah is saying. Contained within this chapter are three distinct areas: The Judgements on Jerusalem and on its enemies; the senselessness and hypocrisy of the Jews; and finally, we see the conversion of the Gentiles and future blessings for the Jews.

Point 1:
Ariel means either, “Lion of God” or “Altar of Burnt Offering” referring to the altar located within the temple in Jerusalem. Ariel was a symbolic name for Jerusalem. In the hour of judgement though once like a strong lion, she would be like the “altar of burnt offering”.  Israel would be punished with the invasion of Assyria. Yet Assyria would gain nothing permanent by this conquest. She, in turn, would be torn apart by its internal strife and be finally conquered by Babylon which then, in turn, would suffer the same fate that is her destruction by God.

Isaiah condemns religious formality, pointing out that their empty religion will not stop the judgment of God.  Are we living our lives in religious formality? If so, we too are susceptible to God’s judgement, or are we living a life full of humility and adoration for the one true God?

Point 2:
Verse 9 says;
“Pause and wonder! Blind yourselves and be blind! They are drunk, but not with wine, they stagger but not with intoxicating drink.”
Blind and drunk, Isaiah is referring here to the spiritual stupor characterising those in Judah who were rejecting the word of God. They were only paying lip service to their religion and in turn denying God’s sovereign role. As a result of the Jewish people rejecting God’s divine counsel, God will make His book of true wisdom a closed book.
The Bible is a sealed book to every man until we begin to study the Word with a simple heart and a teachable spirit, then the mysteries, truth and the will of God will become illuminated to us.

Point 3:
In the latter part of this chapter, we see the love of God begin to shine through: fruitfulness and increase in those who believe, deaf ears opened and able to hear the word of the Lord, blind eyes will see the truth out of obscurity and then, out of the darkness, the joy of the Lord will be increased in those who humble themselves.
This reminds me of verse 3 in Psalm 23:
“He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.”
The tables are beginning to turn and God is giving opportunity for those who have gone astray to return to Him.

Final Thoughts:
This chapter begins with a severe warning to the people of Jerusalem. In fact to us all, for the consequences of our sin and our lukewarmness towards God. It concludes with God making a way for us to repent and return to His word. That return will not and cannot be as before but with a renewed vigour, fruitfulness, understanding and desire to see the truth be preached and expanded throughout the world.

Today, take time to reflect on your own journey with Jesus. Are there areas in your life that need to be addressed and realigned to the purposes of God?

By Anne Horsburgh

Opening Thoughts:
I am no scholar!  And when I come to writing a complete devotional on a chapter, I go into flight mode and panic.  It takes so long to see something or, in some cases, to be able to choose from the many ideas.  In saying this, today, as I write this devotion, I have come about it from an outside path.  
Today, I had to take Ivy, our cat, to the vet for her annual vaccination.  No big deal -   until I put her in her cage.  I got really emotional and said to John, “the last time I did this was to evacuate and leave.” I had to leave my love, and known sanctuary: both of which were being invaded by fire, chaos and destruction and drive through smoke, flames and evil darkness to a refuge of safety and care, in James & Susanna’s home.  (Thank you, again). Praise God, I am here to tell the story and still have my love and my sanctuary.
Driving into town with the cat howling in her cage, I reflected on how I prayed to God with such grief.  Why would I do that?
Because long ago - before most of you were born (not all...LOL) in 1974, I made a decision. And this decision would affect - and for that matter, affect the rest of my life.

Point 1:
Isaiah 28:16 tells us of a stone laid down in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation. Of course, we know this to be Jesus the Christ.  
It is a well-known verse used in songs and even had churches named after it.  Why, because without this cornerstone, the building of the Church would be useless.  
Wikipedia even knows about cornerstones.  They say: ”the cornerstone (or foundation stone or setting stone) is the first one set in the construction of a masonry foundation.  All other stones will be set in reference to this stone, thus determining the position of the entire structure.” (en.m.wikipedia.org)
In knowing Jesus is our Cornerstone, helps make the concept of verse 10 more meaningful to me.  The folk in this chapter may joke and scorn about what God has said but the words are still important.

Point 2:
Verse 10: 'For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line, here a little, and there a little.’ (KJV)
A precept is a general rule intended to regulate behaviour or thought.  

Jesus, our Cornerstone, is the beginning of a foundation based on our faith and belief in Him. Just because I made a commitment to Jesus so long ago did not automatically ensure I knew everything there was about Jesus, God, heaven, discipleship etc.  No way!  Maybe others have more knowledge and awareness of biblical truths, behaviour etc. but I didn’t.  Even Saul/Paul had to re-learn everything after his Damascus Road divine appointment.

As I travelled my path, I learned a little bit here at this fellowship group; and some more at that church. Books were helpful too. Reading my Bible was great, but Bible study groups were the most profitable learning place for me.  Learning from others and reflecting on what you hear and read. Sharing what you think and believe verses say to you.
Although my foundation is Jesus, there are times when sections of my walls need replacing or repairing because I've tried to do something quickly as I didn’t want to wait or work it out with Jesus.  

Point 3:  Obedience is Life.  
Why would the chapter be titled, “Woe to Ephraim” (the backsliders)?  Why did God send prophets and believers to warn and encourage folk to turn back to God’s ways?  Verse 23 says, “Listen and hear my voice: pay attention and what I say”.  In all my years, as a Christian, it wasn’t until the second half that I really learnt to 'listen – hear – pay attention'.  
This may sound negative but it is not meant to be a downer.  If there is one thing I have learnt, probably too late, in life, it is - disobedience means pain – emotional, physical, spiritual, separation from God.  Only forgiveness will stop the pain and unfortunately, the consequences may not disappear.  Read Deuteronomy 30: 11-19 and choose obedience and life!!!

Final Thoughts:
If it was not for my foundation in Christ Jesus, where would I be today?  I know it would not have been a good place or a good time, going by my early years.  I have found resilience in living with my Saviour.  There are tough times but He never changes and never leaves me alone!  We have been created in the image of God and it shows up in most amazing ways.  I may be slow in learning, and obeying, but Jesus is patient with me.
Okay time to sing...
“Oh God, You are my God and I will every praise You. (repeat)
I will seek You in the morning - I will learn to walk in Your ways
And Step by Step You’ll lead me and I will follow You all of my days." 
(David Strasser (c) 1991BMG Songs)