Judgment and Salvation

ISAIAH CHAPTER 25

Isaiah sings praise to the Lord for all the wonderful things he planned and accomplished. Such as turning mighty cities into heaps and ruins and the destruction of palaces so that ruthless nations would now revere the Lord.

But to the poor, the Lord is still a refuge from the storm and he can cool the land with the shade of a cloud. And in Jerusalem, the Lord Almighty spreads a wonderful feast for everyone around the world. In that day he will remove the cloud of gloom, the shadow of death that hangs over the earth. He will swallow up death forever! The Sovereign Lord would wipe away all tears. He would remove forever all insults and mockery against his land and people.

In that day, the people will proclaim that this is their God. They trust in him and he saved them. This is their Lord, in whom they trusted. Rejoice in the salvation he brings! For the Lord's good hand will rest on Jerusalem. And Moab will be crushed like trampled straw and left to rot. God will push down Moab's people and he would end their pride and all their evil works.

BIBLE NOTES SHOW:Moab was a symbol of all who oppose God and are rebellious to the end. In verse 6, is the marvelous prophecy of "everyone around the world" Gentiles and Jews together - at God's messianic feast celebrating the overthrow of evil and joy of eternity with God. During this feast, God would end death forever. The people who participate in the feast would be those who have been living by faith.

HOW DOES THIS CHAPTER RELATE TO US TODAY? This chapter shows us that God completes his plans as promised. He fulfills his promises to you. Think about the prayers he has answered and praise him for his goodness.
The poor suffered because the ruthless people oppressed them. But God is always concerned about the poor and is a refuge for them. Just as if we are disadvantaged, we can always turn to God for comfort and help. Jesus states that the Kingdom of God belongs to the poor (Luke 6:20).

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 and for Dave who is losing his job and may have to relocate and his wife Marsha.
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.