Wednesday, August 5, 2015

Listening When God Speaks

King James Bible Daily Devotion – Learning Scripture One Day At A Time – Words Of Jesus Underlined
Date: Wednesday, August 05, 2015
Chapters: Isaiah 47-51
Message Title: Listening When God Speaks

Hello My Friend,

There are times when you read the Bible and you are like, I've read this before, but there are other times when something so strong hits you that you literally cry when you hear what God is saying to you. I believe God speaks to us more in His Word when we are weary, broken hearted, or starting to walk down a path that can get us into trouble. If I have learned anything this year it is that God watches over His people like a hawk, and He tries to get our attention in many ways, all we have to do to hear Him is listen. “A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:” - Proverbs 1:5.

When you read the Book of Isaiah, the entire Bible comes out, everything from creation to judgment day is contained in this book. Something else is contained in this book, something that many Jews overlook, Jesus. Now, Jesus is found in every book, which is why they know of the Messiah, but rarely will you see a Jew read any of the prophecy books. Why? If they did they would have to admit that Jesus is the Messiah they have been waiting for, and that is something many refuse to do. Through Isaiah, God makes it clear that He will not save Israel (the nation) for their obedience, reminding them of how stubborn they are, but for His own sake.

Thou hast heard, see all this; and will not ye declare it? I have shewed thee new things from this time, even hidden things, and thou didst not know them. For my name's sake will I defer mine anger, and for my praise will I refrain for thee, that I cut thee not off. Behold, I have refined thee, but not with silver; I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction. For mine own sake, even for mine own sake, will I do it: for how should my name be polluted? and I will not give my glory unto another.” - Isaiah 48:6,9-11.

The furnace of affliction, because we are stubborn and don't listen to God we face the fire of affliction, this is affliction that will purify us, not with any material things, but eternal things, things that only God will get the glory for. Everything we go through and endure is for God's glory, He will not share His fame with another, therefore He makes sure we know He is the only one who can help us endure. “And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” - Romans 8:27,28.

God is Almighty in that He can be God, the Father, Jesus, the Son, and the Holy Spirit all at the same time, yet each person just as individual as you and I. Why God felt the need to use three separate identities, yet remain one God becomes clearer the more we study His Word. We get an amazing insight into the Son right here in the Book of Isaiah as Jesus Himself speaks, even to the Jews who would reject Him.

Then I said, I have laboured in vain, I have spent my strength for nought, and in vain: yet surely my judgment is with the LORD, and my work with my God. And now, saith the LORD that formed me from the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob again to him, Though Israel be not gathered, yet shall I be glorious in the eyes of the LORD, and my God shall be my strength. And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth. But Zion said, The LORD hath forsaken me, and my Lord hath forgotten me. Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee. Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me.” - Isaiah 49:4-6,14-16.

Jesus spent the last three and a half years of His life on earth in the flesh preaching the Kingdom of God, most of that brought rejection by both Jews and Gentiles, but a few would accept Him. Jesus knows who are His, and while we may escape His presence if we get caught up in sin, each and every person who accepts Him is engraved in His hands, His nail pierced hands, and will return to Him when He calls their name. Jesus foretells the pain He will endure while captured and tried before being crucified.

The Lord GOD hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary: he wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned. The Lord GOD hath opened mine ear, and I was not rebellious, neither turned away back. I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting. For the Lord GOD will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed. Who is among you that feareth the LORD, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh in darkness, and hath no light? let him trust in the name of the LORD, and stay upon his God.” - Isaiah 50:4-7,10.

We must admit that we are not so good at this Christian thing, we try to live right, but since we have this flesh and sin nature our right is not always God's right. That's where the Holy Spirit comes in, it is the Holy Spirit that indwells every believer and teaches them to hear what God is saying. And it is the Holy Spirit that tells us how to explain what He is saying to us and the world. Many will reject us like they reject Christ, we are of Christ and that is why they reject us, that is part of that furnace of affliction. However, once in a while we will get the attention of a lost soul who finds Christ, and that's what it's all about, to bring one more soul to Christ. We can't always be in the will of God, but we can do what we can to reach others to Christ. “Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.” - James 5:19,20.

Today's Prayer: God, You tell us things every day in hopes that we will hear You and do what You need us to do. Thank You for loving us and not giving up on us, thank You for Your endless mercy and grace, and thank You for giving Your own life through Your Son to save us from the pit we are bound in from sin. Lord, open our ears to hear Your still small voice, let us not be so distracted from the afflictions we are in that we drown You out with them. The afflictions You place before us purify us so that You get the glory for our enduring them, give us the wisdom, strength, and patience that only You can give us to endure these afflictions, and let Your Light shine on us that we may be a witness for You. In Jesus' name. Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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