Impossible Without Faith

King James Daily Bible Study Devotional

Message Title: Impossible Without Faith
Date: Tuesday July 12, 2011
Chapters: Isaiah 7-8, Proverb 12, Psalm 32
Click Here to Read Them or Go to: http://imfollowingjesus.com/bible-july-12
Details of Today's Chapters: Ahaz threatened by Israel and Syria; and is assured their attack would be in vain, God gives the assurance of the long expected Messiah, the folly and sin of seeking relief from Assyria are reproved, Exhortations and warnings, Comfort for those who fear God, and the afflictions given to idolaters.

Hello My Friend/Guest,

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen...Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear... But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.” - Hebrews 11:1,3,6,14-16.

Faith always has been the mark of God's servants, from the beginning of the world. The Bible gives the most true and exact account of the origin of all things, and we are to believe it, by faith. We cannot come to God, unless we believe that He is what He has revealed Himself to be from Scripture. All true believers desire the heavenly inheritance and the stronger the faith, the more those desires will be. God is not ashamed to be called the God of all true believers as he prepares a city just for them.

During the reign of the kings certain promises were attached to the family of David, a godly heir would come from the house of David to renew the hopes and covenant with God. For the most part the house of David remained godly, but now they too have rejected God. Ahaz has forsaken God and even set up the altar of a strange god in the Temple of God. God directs Isaiah to meet Ahaz and an amazing prophecy is revealed.

“Moreover the LORD spake again unto Ahaz, saying, Ask thee a sign of the LORD thy God; ask it either in the depth, or in the height above. But Ahaz said, I will not ask, neither will I tempt the LORD. And he said, Hear ye now, O house of David; Is it a small thing for you to weary men, but will ye weary my God also? Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. Butter and honey shall he eat, that he may know to refuse the evil, and choose the good. For before the child shall know to refuse the evil, and choose the good, the land that thou abhorrest shall be forsaken of both her kings.” - Isaiah 7:10-16.

Ahaz is like a lot of Christians who ignore the Word of God in an attempt to justify their sinful actions. They have the mentality that if they do not read it then they will not be judged for them. However, ignoring God's Word does not mean that the things to come will be avoided, regardless of whether or not we believe all of His Word, all of His Word still exists and all will come to pass as stated in His Word. The sign God gave was none other than Jesus Christ, also known as Immanuel, He came just as prophesied. Every Word of God is true and the only was a Christian sees the best of of their relationship with God is by learning every word. “Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.” - Proverbs 30:5.

If a nation insists on rejecting God’s Word, it is just with God to apply judgment, which is why all of Israel suffered and is still suffering. However in the midst of trouble that may come to a nation, God will keep the heads of His trusting people above the rapid waters. Through Isaiah God gives them and us this amazing assurance.

“The LORD spake also unto me again, saying, Forasmuch as this people refuseth the waters of Shiloah that go softly, and rejoice in Rezin and Remaliah's son; Now therefore, behold, the Lord bringeth up upon them the waters of the river, strong and many, even the king of Assyria, and all his glory: and he shall come up over all his channels, and go over all his banks: And he shall pass through Judah; he shall overflow and go over, he shall reach even to the neck; and the stretching out of his wings shall fill the breadth of thy land, O Immanuel.” - Isaiah 8:5-8.

Siloah, or Siloam, is a fountain at the foot of Mount Sion, which does not send forth water continually, but only at certain times and days and comes through the hollow places of the earth, caves of a hard rock, and with a great noise. As our nations reject Christ the rushing waters are approaching rapidly and many people will be caught up in them, but Immanuel will pluck out every one of His people and bring them safely to Him. “But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. I and my Father are one.“ - John 10:26-30.

There is a proneness in the best of Christians to be frightened at the rapid waters especially when fears are epidemic. We are all too apt to walk in the way of the people we live among, although it may not be a good way for fear that we will be rejected or alone. Isaiah tells us how he was himself taught of God not to give way to such amazing fears nor to run with those who refuse to live by the truth.

“For the LORD spake thus to me with a strong hand, and instructed me that I should not walk in the way of this people, saying, Say ye not, A confederacy, to all them to whom this people shall say, A confederacy; neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid. Sanctify the LORD of hosts himself; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread. And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel, for a gin and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.” - Isaiah 8:11-14.

The crucified Immanuel, who was and is a Stumbling-stone and Rock of offence to unbelieving Jews, is no less so to thousands who are called Christians. The preaching of the cross is foolishness in their esteem, His doctrines and precepts offend them so they reject them. However, to the believer God's Word is like music to their ears, they long for it, even the scary parts. They rejoice in the hope that only through their faith can be attained as they await their Savior and trust only in Him for eternal life. “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” - Titus 3:5-7.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

Are You 100% Sure That You Are Going To Heaven? You Can Be: http://www.godsprice.com
Missed A Devotional: http://www.imfollowingjesus.com/daily-bible-study
Subscribe To This Devotional: devotions@imfollowingjesus.com
I'm Following Jesus