A SURE FOUNDATION
Today’s Reading: Isaiah 28-29
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
A couple of tourists enjoy the ruins that Josephus called a “most magnificent Palace.” Herod the Great built it on a promontory jutting out into the waters of Caesarea. The pool in the centre was nearly Olympic in size and was filled with fresh water. A statue once stood in the centre. Paul would have been imprisoned on the grounds of this Palace (Acts 23:35). Caesarea Maritima is a national park on the Israeli coastline, near modern Caesarea. In today’s reading God says, “Behold I lay in Zion a stone for a foundation!” (Isaiah 28:16a). Herod’s buildings have crumbled, but God is constructing a forever building!!!
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: Isaiah 29:18
In that day the deaf shall hear the words of the book, and the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity and out of darkness.
There’s bad news on the way to the good news of our key verse. Six times Isaiah declares that “intoxicating drink” and drunkenness are bad news! Like this blog, hopefully, “precept upon precept [repeated], line upon line [repeated], here a little, there a little” (28:10) will cause us to understand the message! God will then use the people who speak other languages, the Assyrians and the Babylonians, to speak to His people, because they don’t listen well! It’s almost as if they had a pastor with a serious stammer trying his best to communicate. In 28:13 the people responded to Isaiah’s words with mockery, considering them unworthy of a hearing, repetitive, and boring. This resulted in backsliding, brokenness, and being caught in the snare of their own making. They brought it on themselves! Isaiah 28:16 tells us of the foundation upon which we should build our lives. A helpful New Testament reading is 1 Peter 2:4-8.
Isaiah 29 mentions “Ariel” several times. “Ariel” means in Hebrew, “Hearth of God,” and probably refers to the altar of burning coals in the Temple at Jerusalem. The people who offered their sacrifices were going through the motions of their religion but were not repenting for their sins! Therefore, they were bringing more judgment upon themselves. But God does not give up on His people. It turns around and our key verses kick in! Hallelujah!!!
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, I pray that I will have Your grace to continue building my life on Your “sure foundation,” the measuring line (horizontal) and the plummet (vertical) being 100% governed by the position of Jesus Christ in my life, the “Precious Cornerstone!” I ask this in His Name! Amen!!!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
I’ve been impressed by the repetition of “black cummin” and “cumin” in today’s reading. My daughter Ellen Shaheen has become an expert cook in middle-eastern foods. She tells me that “black cummin” is caraway seed, and cummin is the spice that makes much of her food so delicious. In preparation for use the seeds are “beaten out with a stick” (28:27) in order to remove the casings and to bring out the flavour of the spices. The “beating” Judah had by the Babylonians served to bring out the best in the people of God! Never again did the Jews turn to wholesale idolatry.
Yours for building in an excellent way the “temple” in which God desires to live and in which we live! (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).
David
P.S. I asked our daughter Ellen Shaheen for samples of “cummin” and “black cumin” which are mentioned in today’s reading. She told me that the “cumin has been ground into a fine powder and the “black cumin” or “caraway” is beaten to remove a shell. Isaiah gives us a word picture of what the Assyrians and Babylonians will do to Israel and Judah! I know from personal experience that the end result makes certain foods taste very good! (Isaiah 28:25-27)
shortest Chapter is Psalm 117; Longest chapter is Psalm 118; 594 chapters before Psalm 118; 594 chapters after Psalm 118; equal l,l88 verses;
Centre verses of the Bible Psalm 118:8-9
It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to put confidence in man;
It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to put confidence in princes.
interesting……something from Confirmation days……..
Blessings to all on this 2nd day of the New Year 2016!
Sah, the longest chapter is Psalm 119 and there are 594 chapters before Ps 117 and 594 chapters after Ps 119 so the very centre of the Bible would be 594 + 594 =1188. That would be Ps 118:8. Hope this clarifies it a bit more. I found this to be a very interesting observation as well Sah. Blessings to you.
Oops, I meant 594 chapters before chapter 118 and 594 chapters after chapter 118.
See, I even made a mistake in my response and realized it when it was too late to correct.
Besides, it is more important to pray for our dear brother, David. My wife, Dorothy and I are earnestly praying for his healing as all of you are praying for the same. May God’s riches blessing be with you, David and Norma-Jean.
It was always a real Joy when someone who spoke out against TV evangelists and say they were out to make themselves rich or they pointed out one who fell-I was able to point out to them that it was not true of all TV evangelists. And I was able to point out to them that David Maines was a man of integrity. They had to agree.
I believe that is what I said! yes verse 8 is the centre but 8 and 9 go together! thanks. I’m thankful that I had parents who made sure I went toConfirmation decades ago! It waS VERY GOOD!
Thank you Lord for keeping David Mainse healthy!
I sure you meant to say Psalm 119 is the longest chapter. No worry:we know what you meant & and it was good. I have often made the same misstatements. I remember giving an eulogy funeral and I finished of meaning to give date of the person’s death. However the date I gave would have meant the person was only one year old when he died. It’s easy to do and I have done this type of error many times and I’ve heard others to it too. Perhaps I shouldn’t have mentioned this because we all knew what you really meant.
oops! goofed up! eant to Psalm is the longest!
honestly, I keep goofing up Psalm 119 is the longest chapter! In the Name of our Risen Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ I rebuke the devil and his attempt to ruin my day! This is just not going to happen! I agree with Psalm18:24 THIS IS THE DAY THAT THE LORD HAS MADE,WE WILL REJOICE AND BE GLAD IN IT thanks ger
Lord keep me safe as I go out and knock some ice off the down spout! I’not vry good on the ladder!
crackers that is not the right Psalm either! Lord, I pray You will place Your angels around me and keep me safe this day! THIS IS THE DAY THE LORD HAS MADE AND I WILL REJOICE AND ABE GLAD IN IT!!!!!!!
Dear Lord, please keep safe as she climbs the ladder…your angels guard over her…Jesus I pray!!
I meant to say..”please keep Sah safe as she climbs the ladder”
“This is the day that the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalm 18:24). The day found me in my secret place this morning praying in the Holy Spirit. Praying for you David that you will be out of the hospital soon. Israel found out that their help came from the Lord and not from Egypt. That’s why we must turn to Him, Amen? Is another sunny day shining over a blanket of white here. God bless!
that’s Psalm 118:24…I looked it up to make sure, I say this every day during my devotion time. Have a Blessed New Year. David Mainse you are in my thoughts and prayers. God Bless!
He will continue to keep you in his perfect peace as you totally trust him for his divine and supernatural power and goodness to heal you David.
To those who are faithful to Him, He is faithful.
God bless you , Norma Jean and your precious family in 2016.
The Lord Jesus Christ, who is the author and finisher of our faith.
To one of the greatest “fishers of men” in our Nation, Rev. David Mainse
Thank you for your daily wisdom and. I le teaching. So many of us our blessed with your blog. You
Totally agree, Karen.
I want to express my sincere thank you for the faithful way in which you bless us with your daily blog. Hospital or not, you keep getting it out there every morning long before most of us see the light of day!! What a FAITHFUL servant you are! Praying that you will find new and greater strength each day.
Amen, agreeing in prayer Julie!!
Prayed in agreement with your prayer this morning David!! Also continuing in prayer for your speedy recovery into perfect health…the healing touch that comes from Our LORD JESUS CHRIST…THE GREAT PHYSICIAN!!!! AMEN and AMEN!!!
And for strength and peace of mind for you Norma-Jean and all your loved ones…the peace that passes all understanding to guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus Our Lord!!! May this New Year be filled with Love, Joy and Peace!!!
Thank you David for your faithfulness in bringing this Precious Word and manna to us each morning!!!
The blog did not come through into my “in box” this morning…however, thankfully I was able to receive by going through yesterday’s…
Thank you…I found this morning’s blog…it somehow got into my spam file…
I agree with you Irene
May God’s Healing Hand be upon you today and God’s Wisdom be given to the doctors treating you, David. May God keep you both close to Himself through this time of trial. Amen.
Holding you in utmost of prayer, David, and Norma-Jean and family. May the Lord keep you in the palm of His hand, fine sir. I was so blessed to have shared the Wesley Acres week-end with you and your entire family (minus Reynold and Kathy), this summer. I want to give you that blessing back with prayer. I will be calling prayer chains, prayer lines, and for prayer at my own church, for you, David, and ask for all saints to do the same. We love you, David, and are so thankful to you, for our blog, and having been brought closer to our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, the one and only King.
“Steady Heart” live acoustic version with Steffany Gretzinger & Amanda Cook
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tp80oWtnJc0
P.S. Forgive me, for being so late to the blog, today. This morning, I did my first ever polar bear new year’s dip in the lake, with some mermaid friends. It was wonderful and such a blessing!!
wow Congratulations Beverlee Kay, that is an amazing act not many would even attempt to do. May God continue to Bless You and keep you in his care. I enjoy reading this blog each and every day but do not personally post comments.
Thanks, Adele!! It is great to know you are with us, everyday, dear sister-in-Christ!
“Trust in the LORD forever, For in GOD the LORD, we have an everlasting Rock.” Isaiah 26:4. “For I am the LORD your God, who upholds your right hand, Who says to you, ‘Do not fear, I will help you.’” Isaiah 41:13.“But the LORD has been my stronghold, And my God the rock of my refuge.” Psalm 94:22
Lauren Daigle, How Can It Be
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wt5X91ciE6Y
My husband & I are praying for you David, I was involved in the telephone ministry many years ago & came to love & appreciate you very much, you were always so genuine. God bless you.
WHAT CAN A PERSON SAY? This is day is for laughter! My blogs were so funny and I am sure God decided we need a break to laugh at everything! I goofed so many times! I got some ice chipping done, have to do more tomorrow, I need prayers of safety if I use the ladder! Yikes!
watched about blue whales! Imagine! they are 2 city buses long! Only one place where they have babies! Forget the name! It is unbelievable how they migrate from one end of the ocaen to the other. It is very amazing at the whole migration pattern of all God’s creatures!
May we continue to appreciate laughter and joy in the Lord!
once again laughter prevails! I can’t seem to spell corecctly, it shoud read “ocean”
Praying for protection for you, Sah; that angels are with you as you chip the ice away. Stay off the ladders, please.
Beverlee Kay you did a polar dip! Good on You! That is another point about this blog! we would not know what is happening with each other and it is wonderful to post these accompolishments I like the fact that David Mainse shares his travels in his blogs. that is a good thing! WOW! I am impressed Beverlee Kay! I may do the same next January!
In the meantime I have to chip some mroe ice! I need to use a ladder and I have respect for it and I have an idea how I can use it safely! Blessings
I enjoyed a smile as I read the comments today. Just proves how h6man we are! Oops!