God judges and saves

ISAIAH  CHAPTER 65

The Lord is noticing that people who never before inquired about him are now asking about him and he is being found by people who were not looking for him. So he opened his arms to his own people but they rebelled and followed their own evil paths and worshipped idols and ate forbidden foods.

The Lord will not stand silent for the sinners. He will repay them for their evil sins and for those of their ancestors. But he will not destroy them all, because there are good ones among them still. He would preserve a remnant of people in Israel and Judah who will inherit and serve him there. For those who have searched for the Lord he will provide a plain of Sharon filled with flocks. And in the valley of Achor he will provide a pasture for herds.

For those who had forsaken the Lord and his Temple and worship, he will have them starve, thirst, be sad and ashamed. They will cry in sorrow and despair, but his servants will sing for joy. Sinners will be cursed and destroyed, but all who invoke a blessing or take an oath will do so by the God of truth and  God will put aside his anger and forget the evil of earlier days. God says that he is creating a  new heaven and earth - so wonderful that no one will think about the old ones. The Jerusalem he will create will be a place of happiness and her people a source of joy.

No longer would babies die in infancy and adults will live a full life. No longer would people be considered old at one hundred. Only sinners die that young!  There will be no invaders to take over the homes and vineyards, for the people of Israel will live as long as trees and have time to enjoy their hard-won gains.

BIBLE NOTES SHOW: Sharon is a plain in the western part of Israel. The valley of Achor is in the east near Jerivho. The valley of Achor was called the Valley of Troubl because Ahan was executed there for hiding the devoted goods of battle (see Joshua 7: 10-26).

HOW DOES THIS CHAPTER RELATE TO US TODAY? In ancient times, God gave his people many chances to obey his rules and they did not. In our times, God gives the same chances. We must remember to obey his commandments daily. It is also important to see that he did not wipe out every single person. He allowed those who were free from sin to survive and flourish. We get a glimpse of the new heaven and new earth he created when he speaks of the length of time humans would now live. And how the land would flourish.

None of us is exempt from the new heaven and earth. He welcomes those who live a sinless life. He also knows we are human and prone to yield to temptations. Don't let the temptations ruin your chance to enter into the new heaven. Pray to him for strength  to battle sin and he will give it to you. God loves you. His mercy endureth forever.

Yours in Christ,
Mary

Prayer Requests are needed for:



HEALTH: Pray for Gabe.


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 a form of MS.


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.


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.