Isaiah 30:1-7 -- What are we trusting?

We may be tempted to put our trust in the strong, in our wealth, in friends and family, in success, in ....yet none of these can protect us if God doesn't allow it.  The strong can become weak, the wealth can disappear, relationships can be broken, and our success can disappear.

No, we must put our trust in God by just obeying the next little thing He tells us to do.  This may be just to get to work on time, or it maybe to sign up for a college course, or it maybe to ask for forgiveness, or it maybe.... 

"Lord take away my thoughts, other people's thoughts, and satan's thoughts and leave me with Yours"  ...and then give me the courage and discipline to carry out what You're asking me to do.

Isaiah 29:17-24 -- His Kingdom

If we look for the attributes of God's Kingdom in these verses what do we find?

• A good field of crops/food
• The deaf can hear what's read to them
• The blind are freed from darkness
• The poor and needy will feel supported by God
• The cruel and arrogant are gone forever
• Those who live by crime will disappear, along with those who tell lies in court and keep innocent people from a fair trial
• The descendants of Abraham will no longer be ashamed and disgraced because they will be proud of God's Kingdom/nation
• Everyone who is confused will understand, and all who have complained will obey the Lord's teaching 

As I read this passage I wonder if we can take these points and apply them to God's Kingdom within the church?  Wouldn't it be awesome if:

• There were jobs and food enough for everyone to feel content
• The spiritually deaf could hear God's truths
• The spiritually blind could see where God is working
• The poor and needy felt supported by God and His people
• The cruel and arrogant were not to be found
• Those living by crime never showed up in church and those who tell lies that affect innocent people disappear
• Wouldn't we all be proud if this was happening at our church?
• Wouldn't it be fun if everyone who was confused understood and everyone who complained obeyed the Lord?

Father, as we pray "Thy Kingdom come and Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven" help us to be part of the answer to this prayer.  Open our ears to hear, and our eyes to see.  Help us to support the poor and needy; help us not to be cruel or arrogrant; help us not to tell lies, especially when they affect innocent people  Lord, please help us to be very proud of Your Kingdom as it's found at our church.  And Lord, for those who still don't understand what Your up to, help them to understand and Father, for those that complain, please help them to refocus their energies on obeying the next little thing you tell them to do.  Thanks Dad for already hearing this prayer.

Isaiah 29:1-16 -- What do you think about?

"These people praise me with their words, but they never really think about me.   They worship me by repeating rules made up by humans. So once again I will do things that shock and amaze them and I will destroy the wisdom of those who claim to know and understand."

Father, forgive us for taking you for granted.  Forgive us for thinking we can do things on our own in our own way.  Thank you for what you're doing through small groups at my church just now.  Thank you for allowing me to particpate in Your amazing work via Alpha.  Father, continue to open our eyes to where You're working and show us how we can join You.  Thank You for the amazing things You have done for me and thank You for all the "angels" you've put in my life.  Lord, you know the hearts desires of Your people.  May they continue to align with Your heart's desires.

In Jesus name.

Isaiah 28:14-29 -- A firm foundation

God has promised a firm foundation and Jesus tells us what it is in Matthew 7:24-27.  It's about building our lives upon the teachings of Jesus and allowing the Holy Spirit to direct us.  It's not that we do nothing.  As verses 24-25 indicate, the farmer still needs to work; but they learn from God/the Holy Spirit's prompting.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3BJ_eVlXL8

It is foolish to trust in one's own knowledge yet it is wisdom to learn as God directs us to learn.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWdNgXSd46Y

Isaiah 28:7-13 -- Are we listening?

We can't hear if we're indulging ourselves too much. 

Lord, if You're going to speak to us in strange sounds and foreign languages will you give us the gift of interpretation so we can hear You and obey You?  Will You give us the ears to hear Your voice so we can have the perfect balance in life so that we can have perfect peace and rest.  Help us to listen to you instead of indulging ourselves.  Lord, please help us to have the discipline found in the prayer of St Francis.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZI1Gst7pEqc

Isaiah 28:1-6 -- God knows

God knows when leaders are leaders or when leaders are just taking advantage of their position.  God is also more powerful than any leader.  This is why it's essential for us to stay focused on the Lord.  Even with all the free will God gives us which allows people to hurt each other God ultimately is on the side of His people and He will see that justice rules and that His people are able to defend their cities.

Lord, thank you for answering our prayer "God keep our land, glorious and free" all of these years.  Please help our politicians stay focused on You and not get distracted by the temptations of this world and help us not to under present You to our children. In Jesus name.

Isaiah 27:10-13 -- He'll bring the team together

As God forgives He brings healing.  Places may be destroyed but ultimately He brings the people together again as they focus on Him.

When I think of these verses I'm reminded of the wealth of knowledge and wisdom found in Ephesians 4:
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+4&version=NIV