Day 208

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Idolatrous Infected Babylonia

Scripture

July 26—Isaiah 44-48: Calamity for Idolatrous Babylonia

Observation

In meticulous detail, Isaiah now prophesies the agent of comfort God will use in delivering his people (Cyrus, king of Persia), and the means of comfort God will employ (destruction of Babylonia). Those who put their trust in mere objects of wood and stone are blind fools. By contrast, the God of Israel writes history in advance, predicts kings by name centuries before their birth, and declares, "For I am God—I only—and there is no other like me" (46:9).

Application

God specializes in using little-known people and lightly-valued objects to accomplish great feats to his glory.

God used a talking donkey to rebuke Balaam (Numbers 22:28). He used a hungry fish to turn Jonah around (Jonah 1:17). He swept his spiritually dirty nation (Judah) clean by using an even dirtier broom (Babylonia, Habakkuk 1:5-6). And he raised up a king who did not even believe in God of Israel to free his people and return them to their homeland (45:1, 4).

Where do you see God's purposes linked with personal events in your life, or international developments in the life of your nation? Go back through chapter 45 and carefully circle the words "I have," "I am" and "I will" every time you find them. Make three columns on a sheet of paper describing God's activities in the past ("I have..."), the present ("I am...") and the future ("I will..."). Then catalog what you find—and turn your sheet into an opportunity for praise and prayer!

Prayer

Thank God, we do not serve impotent idols. We serve an Omnipotent God—Hallelujah!  We attest that You are God, only You and there is no other like You. You show us the path we should take to always be in your grace. We thank you, honor you and praise your Holy Name. In Jesus name! Amen!

A depiction of Our Omnipotent God!


© Odessa Mathis about my Father's business! 2020

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