Devotion
Signs of the saviour
David Jacobs
Isaiah is one of the most influential and important prophets in the Bible. He lived about 700 years before Christ was born, during a tumultuous time for the kingdom of Judah. He is one of the few people that were able to foresee the future through a connection with God, predicting many of the most important outcomes that would occur centuries later. In these verses, Isaiah is talking with the newly appointed king of Judah, Ahaz, who is stuck between a rock and hard place with several armies coming to invade his kingdom. Likely in his 20s, Ahaz did not know what to do and sought council with the wiser Isaiah.
In these verses, Isaiah has attempted to help Ahaz, offering him spiritual guidance, which Ahaz refuses. Ahaz is trying to think of a way to save himself at all costs, willing to broker alliances with enemies in order to save his own skin. Isaiah wants to send Ahaz and the kingdom of Judah a message, and he makes his proclamation here to reassure the people of Judah of the covenant that their ancestors made with God.
In hindsight, it may seem that Ahaz is a fool, but what would you have done differently? Ahaz did not know what would happen and he did not have a strong faith to rely on. Isaiah had built a strong foundation based on faith that he could fall on in difficult times. Like Isaiah, we need to foster our relationship with God so that when we see the armies of our enemies, of sin and temptation, we are strengthened by faith, with the knowledge that our God will not abandon us.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I ask that you strengthen my faith today and all days. I know that I have not always been strong, I have doubted, and I have sinned in your eyes, O Lord, and I thank you for being so merciful and patient. You have given me a chance, even a second chance, and I shall not waste it or be unfaithful to you. I want to thank you for giving me these chances, through the virgin birth and the life of your only begotten son, in whose name I pray. Amen.
Devotion
Rejoice in Your Youth
Frances Taylor
Ecclesiastes is an interesting book to read. The theme seems to be that all is vanity. In this passage the young are advised to remember that God watches over us all and all our actions are subject to his judgment. If you continue reading in chapter 12, you will find that the youth is being warned that he will someday be old with all the infirmities that this will bring. We need to rejoice in every day we are given and not waste them. Don't take your youth for granted and spend them doing evil. How often have you heard someone excuse the young by saying that he is just sowing his wild oats. There really is no such thing. There is no excusing bad behavior because someone is young.
Our moral compass has become skewed in recent years and it seems that there are no moral boundaries. Adultery, hooking-up, pornography, sexual harassment and abuse are normal and even celebrated! Both men and women are looked at as sexual objects to be used instead of ...
Morning Prayer
As a jewel of gold in a swine's snout, so is a fair woman which is without discretion.
Inspiration
Solomon compares a woman who has physical beauty but no wisdom to a gold ring stuck in a pig's nose. It is a most unfitting sight. It is an irony to see outer beauty where there is no inner beauty of soul. Far too many focus on only outward adornment but neglect to walk in the beauty of holiness with the Lord.
Prayer
Lord, let us seek after that inner beauty of holiness and not after the vanity of external beauty, which is of no spiritual value and quickly fades away. Let our focus be on the heart and not on that which is seen by men. Amen.
Night Prayer
Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
Inspiration
Lillies in a field seem unimportant compared to the turmoil and strife erupting in the world today, which makes Christ's statement ever more precious. God provides nourishment to the lilies and adorns them with beauty. They are as carefree in an open field as we are, resting in the arms of our Heavenly Father. He promises to love and protect us, shield us from evil, and bless us unconditionally. His promise brings us hope and encouragement as we walk along the road toward salvation.
Prayer
Dear Father, we know we are safe in Your arms as You nourish our souls and adorn us with unconditional love. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
