Day 204
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| The Hearth of God |
Scripture
Observation
Conquer a capital, and you have conquered the country. As Isaiah continues his series of woes and warnings, he focuses upon the capital cities, Samaria (Israel also called Ephraim) and Jerusalem (Judah also called Ariel), declaring that destruction is imminent. In Israel's case, it is also inescapable. But Jerusalem can learn from the sorry fate of her northern neighbor. Lulled into a false sense of security by her empty ritualism, Jerusalem will commit a fatal error if she substitutes foolish alliances for faith in God.
Application
In moments of crisis, where do you turn? To your friends? To your family? To your investment counselor? To yourself? The answer to that question will in large measure determine how well you handle the crisis. If you turn to yourself, you'll find that you run out of wisdom and strength long before you run out of problems! Put your trust in other people and you will quickly learn their resources are just as limited as your own!
God warned Judah not to turn to Egypt's for assistance against the approaching Assyrian threat. Why? "For Egypt's promises are worthless" (30:7). To put your trust in human resources—regardless of the numerical superiority—is to lean on a shaky crutch indeed. But it's always safe to lean on the Lord.
On a three-by-five card write these words from 30:15—"Only in returning to me and waiting for me will you be saved; in quietness and confidence is your strength." Jesus Christ is not a crutch; he is the very ground to walk upon! Carry your "crisis card" with you throughout the day; put it out and read it often. And on the back, record any special ways in which God answers your prayers for confidence in the midst of your problem. You'll find that Jesus is the Christ for every crisis!
God warned Judah not to turn to Egypt's for assistance against the approaching Assyrian threat. Why? "For Egypt's promises are worthless" (30:7). To put your trust in human resources—regardless of the numerical superiority—is to lean on a shaky crutch indeed. But it's always safe to lean on the Lord.
On a three-by-five card write these words from 30:15—"Only in returning to me and waiting for me will you be saved; in quietness and confidence is your strength." Jesus Christ is not a crutch; he is the very ground to walk upon! Carry your "crisis card" with you throughout the day; put it out and read it often. And on the back, record any special ways in which God answers your prayers for confidence in the midst of your problem. You'll find that Jesus is the Christ for every crisis!
Prayer
Almighty God, thank you that we know you and only you can do all things and that you can relieve all the troubles in our life. We only have to pray earnestly to you and trust you more each day so that our faith will increase to pray more effectively and powerfully to you. In Jesus name! Amen!
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| Have Faith in God |
© Odessa Mathis about my Father's business! 2020
