“HERE I AM” GOD
Today’s Reading: Isaiah 65-66
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
The Jordan Valley Habika War Memorial Monument is designed by the artist Yigal Turmakin and constructed from old parts of armoured vehicles, tanks and guns. It serves as a memorial to the soldiers who died in the area, particularly as a result of the period known as the Period of Pursuits. War has been a constant in these areas, but God promises that there will be a time when He “will extend peace like a river” (Isaiah 66:12a).
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verses: Isaiah 65:24
It shall come to pass
That before they call, I will answer;
And while they are still speaking, I will hear.
God says, “Here I am, Here I am!” (Isaiah 65:1b). God has not left His human family. He has not isolated Himself from us. Isaiah 65 is God’s answer to the prayer of Isaiah we read in yesterday’s reading. God says through His prophet, “I have stretched out My hands all day long to a rebellious people.” The Apostle Paul quotes Isaiah’s words in Romans 10:20-21. We may want to read all of Romans 10 as a commentary on God’s dealings with both Jews and non Jews.
In his final chapter 66, Isaiah repeats twice more words he has written over and over, “Thus says the Lord!” Back in Isaiah 55:6-11 we considered how to get God’s Word, (His thoughts and ways) into our lives and world. Soak in the Word each day! God says, “Where is the house you will build four Me?” The answer is that the Temple in Jerusalem will be destroyed and the entire sacrificial system will be abolished once the final sacrifice is completed by the One John the Baptist called, “The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29).
Tomorrow, the New Testament book of James!
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, as I think back on the past month of readings in Isaiah, I do tremble at Your Word (66:2b). By Your grace I’ve trusted fully in the One Whom Isaiah said was yet to come. I’ve noted dozens of personal pronouns and meditated on the Person whose Name alone could replace those pronouns, the Child who was born, the Son Who was given! Isaiah 9:6 goes on to state the fact that “His Name shall be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” I pray that every reader of this blog, including myself, will know Him in a deeper and more intimate way than ever as a result of daily absorbing Your thoughts and ways. In His Name! Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
I’ve read the Jewish tradition that says that Isaiah died by being sawn in half by the last wicked King of Judah to reign during Isaiah’s time. It’s really hard for me to get my mind around the fact that such a powerful and persuasive prophet would have been rejected by the corrupt political masters and a segment of the people that agreed with them. The political masters of Jesus’ time were appointed by an exceedingly corrupt and evil Roman Emperor. The High Priest and his family members became very, very rich through their absolute control of the income from the 4,000,000 or so pilgrims who would visit Jerusalem each year for the mandatory feasts. Jesus said that the Temple had become a “Den of thieves.” The first Gospels tell of the cleansing of the Temple just before Jesus’ death and resurrection. As Bill O’Reilly points out in his book, “Killing Jesus,” it happened twice, once at the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry (John 2:11-21), then later (Matthew 21:12 & 13). I found a clip from the “Gospel of John” movie that I’ve just watched (click here). I’m well aware that the average Jewish person (Jesus and all His disciples are Jewish) were not implicated in any way in either the execution of Isaiah and Jesus. The crowd in the courtyard who yelled “Crucify Him!” were all paid lackeys of the High Priest. the “Gospel of John” movie is a word-for-word depiction of his Gospel (the full movie can be viewed here).
Yours in recognition of the One Who said, “Here I am,” with prayer that all would turn to Him without delay asking for mercy and grace,
David
P.S. As you may know, we are on the second time around for this two-year journey through the Bible with this blog. It was four years ago this morning when I awoke out of a sound sleep and the digital clock showed 4:00 a.m. Jesus said, “My sheep know My voice,” and I know I heard His voice, still and small outwardly but loud and big inside my spirit. He said, “David, shortly I will be awakening you every morning at this time. I want you to rise, read My Word, pray, and write a daily blog leading my people on a two-year journey through the Bible. Start in segments…Matthew, then move to Genesis, alternating back and forth between the Hebrew and Greek Scriptures.” I hardly knew what a “blog” was, so over the next four months I experimented, asked my son David Reynold to use his Biblical knowledge skills as a professional photographer to take photos in all the Bible lands which matched as closely as possible the reading for each day. My son, Ronald, agreed to format the blog for me each day so all I have to do is fill in the brief Bible commentary, my prayer, and my personal words. Ann, Ron’s wife, checks each blog to make sure my spelling, punctuation, etc. is right. Thanks to family members and to Crossroads for taking this on as an official outreach of the ministry. Four years ago my Florida Pastor, Rev. Wayne Blackburn, concluded two weeks of prayer and fasting on Sunday evening. I went forward to the altar for prayer after the evening service, not having any idea what would happen at 4:00 a.m. the next morning. Thanks to the Pastor and people of Victory Church, Lakeland, Florida. Check this Church out here. Thanks Victory Church of the Assemblies of God!
My prayer today LORD is that YOU would bless ALL the bloggers who write in to comment on Pastor David’s message in response to your precious & holy Word. HEAL, where healing is needed and received; bless hearts longing for a closer walk with the MASTER. Meet every need according to your precious NAME. Do what YOU do best Oh LORD- save your people and they shall be saved. We love YOU LORD; I love YOU LORD.
Rev. Terrence Felvus, Grassie On.
Thanks once again for this blog and for your obedience in creating it and to all who help with it! It’s an encouraging and nourishing start to every day! May God continue to bless you with insight and understanding and health
Yes. I agree with Eleanor. Thank-you!
I have read your blog and the scripture from the beginning. It has helped me tremendously in giving a deeper understanding of His Word, as well as being an inspiration with your commentary, prayer and insights. Thank you David and all who are involved in making this possible. Also, your book, “This far by Faith” was an excellent read into your life and ministry. Thank You.
Amen.
Grateful. To God, to His people, and to you and your family. Thank you.
I look forward to my devotions every morning with your blog, David. I have been with you in your ministry since your first days of Huntley Street. What a blessing you have been in my life. God is so good isn’t he? Thank you for serving.
Thank you David. You are a wonderful example of obedience to His Word. May all who read this blog, especially me, come to understand more and more His Love through Obedience to Him. The word that is so disregarded in our society today. And I want to say thank you, David, for teaching me how to pray the scriptures. Following your blog has given me fresh insight on prayer.
Encouraged as always by your commentary on the Word and frankness. My wife and I ( as Canadian ‘snowbirds’ ) also thoroughly enjoy , are blessed and fed as we attend Victory Church in Lakeland, Florida during the Winter months.
WOW!
I have just watched the Gospel of John clip you recommended and can only say “Thank goodness for the resurrection”!
Vivienne and I were in Brockville on Ash Wednesday four years ago when you shared with the group your determination to get up at 4 am daily and feed us with fresh bread (aka “apples of gold”).
Thank you and your dedicated family members for making this blog so meaningful for us all.
Shalom,
Graham.
May the Lord be praised this beautiful morning, thank you for our daily bread, your Word of Life. Blessed be my fellow bloggers, have a wonderful day!
AMEN.
Amen, Sherry!
Dear David, thank you for all you do. I have followed your blog and it inspires me daily. I pray for you and your family. Have wanted to thank your daughter in law Ann Mainse also. Have read her scripture on Mathew , Mark,Luke and John. Miss her on T.V. But every writing of hers inspires me too. I too follow and learn from Oswald Chambers which she told us about. Bless you and yours and may God continue to bless you as you bless us. Love and prayers colleen
David words can’t express the” woman with the alabaster box” experience I’ve had with the Lord this morning. It hit me as I was reading Isaiah 55:6-11 before I even got to reading your prayer for today. It was motivated also by the recent knowledge that my youngest brother has a liver disease and he’s not serving Jesus. For sure David you heard from the Lord four years ago as I did this morning in “strong crying and tears” as I interceded for my family and Isaiah 55:6-11 is my answer. “Blessed Jesus, Precious Jesus you are so wonderful! I pray for you David and all the family for continued intimate fellowship with the Lord and strength and the same for my fellow bloggers as David requested.
Amen, David! I look forward to watching the movie on John, and starting the book of Romans, tomorrow. Though, I must say, I really enjoyed Isaiah and got a great deal out of it, this time around. I understood and grasped it much more deeply. What an incredible prophet he was. I hate to think of the horrific death he suffered, but knowing his love for and faith in God, believe he would have been lifted above it. Thank you so much for following the leading of His Voice and granting us the gift of this blog. You started me on a great early morning practice of prayer, reading scripture, learning about His Word from your 100words, and sharing fellowship with wonderful saints. Along with the daily Bible reading, and blog, I enjoy reading Streams in the Desert, Echoes of Eternity and My Utmost For His Highest, each morning. This has been a great period of learning in my life and has also helped me to write regularly. I have been working on my first book, which is my life story and testimony. I look forward, one day, to sharing it with all of you. God’s continued blessings, dearest saints. All for the love of Jesus! Amen, amen, and amen!
“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
Come As You Are, Crowder
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2zhf2mqEMI
John 14:6
Pastor David. I have been with our wonderful blog since the begining and the abundance of blessings and prayers from my fellow saints have been Uplifting each day. Thank you to everyone involved.
God’s Word has filled my soul each day and given me strength when I am weak and at my lowest health wise. But able to carry on in the strength of His Word and the prayers of my fellow bloggers.
It is well with my soul! Blessings to all
David, receiving this blog each morning for the past couple of years has been a blessing, your comments and your prayers have enhanced my understanding of God’s Word. The scriptures in Isaiah are especially meaningful. Thank you for your faithfulness and that of each member of your family for their input into this daily manna. Your TV ministry and that of your family have been a part of my life for many years, and I miss it!!!. Thank you again for all you do, and may the Lord continue to strengthen you in all your ways.
Thank you bloggers for your input, have a blessed day!!
I have also been with the blog from the beginning. I would not miss a day. I look forward to it. It really is amazing how you have been able to do this and also have such serious medical treatment while doing it. Thank you and the family. I, and others, I’m sure, will be eternally thankful for your obedience to God. Thank You Father for Your blessings upon us all.
Thank you Lord.
And thank you David.
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We look forward to “Peace like a River”. Amen.
drh