Isaiah 31 - 3.24.23

Scripture

Isaiah 31:1

Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help,
    who rely on horses,
who trust in the multitude of their chariots
    and in the great strength of their horsemen,
but do not look to the Holy One of Israel,
    or seek help from the Lord.

Observation

What’s the problem with turning to Egypt for help? Imagine my 12 year old son Noah needs help carrying a couch up a flight of stairs. So he walks past me as I’m sitting at the dinner table and goes to get his friend from down the street to help him. His friend, who is also 12, talks about how he’s been working out and getting strong so Noah thinks this is the best option. But when they attempt to carry the couch upstairs, there’s a good chance that if they can even begin to lift it, someone is getting injured and crushed by that couch.

Israel has been walking right past their Father to get their shrimpy friend from down the street. They may admire their friend’s strength, but it doesn’t compare to their Father who is present with them, strong, and eager to help if asked.

Isaiah has been pronouncing some ‘woes’ against God’s people, and this one follows in line with the previous woe against those who make plans without consulting the Lord. Isaiah’s continual message to the people of Judah and Jerusalem is to stop trusting in human strength and wisdom, and instead to look to God! Seek God’s counsel, rely on his wisdom, pursue his strength, and ultimately put all your trust in him for everything you need.

Unfortunately the Israelites learned the hard way that Pharaoh was a “splintered reed.” They leaned on him like a staff, but instead of providing them strength and stability, he was a reed that splintered and pierced their hand (Isaiah 36).

Application

What ways do I walk straight past God and rely on my own strength or someone else’s?

-Last night I had a headache, and just now realized that I ran straight past God (didn’t pray) to grab the ibuprofen bottle.

-Other times, if my day is busy, the temptation can be to spend less time with God that morning because, “I don’t have time,” and just try to take care of my to-do list on my own.

-Or if I’m tired, there are times I run past God to an app on my phone or to the tv, trusting in those things to refresh me… and of course they never do like time spent with God.

Today, I choose to put this truth into practice by turning to God FIRST and asking for his help with everything happening today.

Prayer

God, forgive me for the ways I’ve ran past you, trusting in splintered reeds. You are all-powerful and my ever present help in time of need. I turn to you even now and ask that you would provide me with the strength, the wisdom, and all I need for today. Amen.

-Levi Thompson

2 Corinthians - 03.23.23

SCRIPTURE: 2 Corinthians 2:14b CEV

“God also helps us spread the knowledge about Christ everywhere, and this knowledge is like the smell of perfume.”

OBSERVATION:

Paul had experienced a number of unexpected setbacks and disappointments—yet—Paul’s Faith remained strong. He was confident that God was in control and working EVERYTHING for Good. Paul said, “Thanks be to God who ALWAYS leads us as captives in Christ’s “Triumphal Procession”.

The imagery Paul is using here is that of a “Roman Triumph” Procession—a special tribute that Rome gave their conquering generals. This would be a Parade of the Commander riding in a Golden Chariot-surrounded by his officers as they follow down a special route displaying the “Spoils of the Battle” as well as the captive enemy soldiers. The Roman priests would also be in the parade carrying burning incense to pay tribute to the Victorious army.

The aroma of the Priest’s incense was the fragrance of Life and Victory to the Triumphant Soldiers—but to the captive enemy it was the stench and odor of death.

APPLICATION:

Believers are to be the very Fragrance of Jesus Christ—

“But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of HIM everywhere. For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are an aroma that brings death; to the other, an aroma that brings life.” (2 Corinthians 2:14-16a NIV)

PRAYER:

Lord Jesus,

Your Word says “we are to Spread the Knowledge of You Everywhere”—and this is pleasing to You—it rises like a sweet aroma. I pray You will give me more and more courage and as the author of my faith—greater faith—to open my mouth and share—even when I don’t feel at my best—even when I feel weary, weak, and unclear—may my whole Trust be in You. May I remember I have the mind of Christ and the Holy Spirit. My Trust is IN You, Lord.

“Though the mountains be shaken

and the hills be removed,

yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken

nor my covenant of peace be removed,”

says the Lord, who has compassion on you.” (Isaiah 54:10 NIV)

Tina L Kudelka

Psalm 24 - 3.22.23

Scripture 

Psalm 24:1-6

1 The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it,
    the world, and all who live in it;

2 for he founded it on the seas
    and established it on the waters.

3 Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord?
    Who may stand in his holy place?

4 The one who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not trust in an idol or swear by a false god.

5 They will receive blessing from the Lord
    and vindication from God their Savior.

6 Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek your face, God of Jacob.

Observation

This is a Psalm of King David. First, he describes the greatness of God and then goes into the blessing of those who seek God with all their heart and turn away from idols. That’s the first of the 10 commandments! (See Exodus 20:3-6)

Application

Are we applying Pastor Levi’s sermon to our lives this week? 

On Sunday, Pastor Levi talked about repentance and illustrated it with the story of the Prodigal Son and also taking out the rocks (sin) in our jars (lives) to make more room for Jesus. (Here’s a link to the sermon if you missed it: https://youtu.be/PTdl9V70BGg).

What are some things that we need to let go of in order to receive refreshing and more of Jesus in our lives? What is Holy Spirit calling you to die to, lose or let go of in order to experience more of Him?

For me, sometimes, that’s taking a break on social media and living a quieter life to receive more of Him. Sometimes, it’s fasting a meal to focus my prayers and time in the Word completely on Him. Other times, it is putting a boundary on the amount of students I take in my piano teaching business, in order to have more time to serve our church body, trusting that He will be/is our family’s ultimate provider.

Prayer

Holy Spirit, help us to have clean hands and a pure heart to approach Your throne. I pray that we would turn from our sin and get rid of anything that is holding us back from complete and deep fellowship with You. Amen. 

Check out this YouTube link of Kutless singing “Give Us Clean Hands”, which is based on Psalm 24: https://youtu.be/T9dDrK2a3Os

-Michelle Gaddi