Destruction of Assyria

ISAIAH      CHAPTER 33

 God tells of the destruction coming for Assyrians who have destroyed so many people but have not suffered destruction themselves. Just as locusts strip the fields and vines, so Jerusalem will strip the fallen army of Assyria.

Though the Lord is great and lives in heaven, he will make Jerusalem his home of justice and righteousness. In that day, he will be your sure foundation, providing a rich store of salvation, wisdom and knowledge. The fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure.

The sinners in Jerusalem shake with fear and wonder how they can live in the presence of the coming all-consuming fire. The ones who can live there are those who are honest and fair, who reject making a profit by fraud, who stay far away from bribes, who refuse to listen to those who plot murder, who shut their eyes to all enticement to do wrong. These will dwell on high. The rocks of the mountains will be their fortress of safety. Food will be supplied to them, and they will have water in abundance.

These will have eyes to see the king in all his splendor and they will think back to a time of terror when the Assyrians plotted outside the city walls. But soon they will all be gone and these violent people with a strange language will disappear. Instead, the non-sinners will see Zion as a place of worship and celebration. Jerusalem will be a city of quiet and secure. The Lord will make a wide river of protection that no enemy can cross. For the Lord is our judge, our lawgiver, and our king. He will care for us and save us. The treasure will be divided by the people of God. Even the lame will win their share. The Lord will forgive all sins.

BIBLE NOTES SHOW: 2 King 19:20-37 and Isaiah 37:21-38 describe the victory over Assyria described in this chapter. The city of Jerusalem would be the home of justice and righteousness because the Messiah would reign there. As a light to the world, the new Jerusalem would be the holy city (Revelation 21:2)

HOW DOES THIS CHAPTER RELATE TO US TODAY? In these words, the Lord thru Isaiah, gives us examples of how to demonstrate our uprightness. Even in today's times, we can reject gain by extortion and bribes,we can refuse to listen to plot of wrong actions and if we are fair and honest in our relationships, we can dwell with God. He will supply all of our needs.

Often Christians are on the front lines and the first ones to feel new traditions being forced down our throats by our own churches and clergy. Our guts tell us some of our old traditions are going down in flames, but we are often only able to sit by and let these things happen. I challenge you to be a "warrior" for God. Stand up and make yourself heard. The commandments of God are every bit as relevant today as they were in the time of Moses. Granted we don't need to literally sacrifice animals as in those times. But we still need to sacrifice to God, what is owed to God. The Old Testament is being chipped away little by little. Try to see it as God meant it to be: a guideline for us to live our lives. Praise be to God!

Yours in Christ,
Mary

Prayer Requests are needed for:



HEALTH: Pray for Gabe. Pray for Logan during her difficult pregnancy.


Pray for Janice Long’s parents, especially her mother who faces another round of chemotherapy and her father with Alzheimer’s and now her mother in law also with Alzheimer’s. Their family is feeling the strain both emotionally and financially. Pray for them. Update on this family: Her mother-in-law is being taken to Oklahoma to live with an aunt who will care for her.


Pray for Arlene’s nephew David and for my neighbor Al who is nearing the end of his life.


Pray for Carolyn’s brother Ronald who has cancer and for her sister Wanda’s soul which went to heaven.


Pray for our friend Michelle who was diagnosed with MS.


UPDATE on Barb who went in for back surgery and had a heart attack and stroke, she has her speech back and is home , but continues to have a problem with one arm and hand. Thanks to your prayers, she is able to hobble without a cane and has been granted disability. She still has surgery scheduled on her hand, but I saw her recently and her attitude is fantastic.


Pray for Robert Sargent who is quite ill with lung cancer.


Pray for Gary Summers, my friend from church, who has cancer.


Pray for Judy’s husband who was recently diagnosed with prostate cancer. Pray for her too, that she can deal with the side effects of his illness.


Pray too for Charly’s husband Robert who is undergoing chemo for his prostate cancer. Update on Robert: he has one more treatment and then three months of waiting for his psat test to come back clean.


Pray for James’s sister Cynthia whose chemo has lost its effect as the cancer grows powerful.


Pray for another friend named Carolyn whose faith remains strong, but is lost and confused about where and how to spend her elder years.


SPIRITUAL UPLIFTING: Gail, Mary


RESTORATION OF FAITH: Al, John


LOVE AND SUPPORT: Claire, Hunter, Brian


SUPPORT: Haiti, Chile, survivors of Japan’s earthquake, survivors of the devastating tornadoes in our southernmost states and Joplin, Missouri. Pray too, for our country’s leaders and our military people who die each day for our freedom.