God is Compassionate, So His Anger Does Not Cease (Isaiah 9:8–21)

 

God is Compassionate, So His Anger Does Not Cease (Isaiah 9:8–21)

The latter part of Isaiah 9 is quite different from the earlier part. The first part speaks of the birth of a child—the coming of the Prince of Peace—as a great hope for humanity. But the latter part highlights the wrath of God. However, this wrath stems from His compassionate love.

When does the Lord’s anger stop? The prophet Isaiah asked, “Lord, how long?” And the Lord answered,

“Until the cities lie ruined and without inhabitant,
until the houses are left deserted and the fields ruined and ravaged,
until the Lord has sent everyone far away
and the land is utterly forsaken.” (Isaiah 6:11–12)

What is the spiritual meaning of this? It shows that no human being in the flesh has any merit to receive God’s grace of salvation. It reveals that the flesh must die. Spiritually, “desolation” represents the death of the person in the flesh.

In truth, the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross was a substitutionary death that redeemed the sin of the world—meaning, the death of the person in the flesh. This occurred spiritually through faith.

“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.” (Galatians 2:20)

Through this, God's wrath is finally satisfied, and peace is made in Christ. No one is worthy to receive grace.

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.” (Ephesians 2:8)

So then, if we have received salvation through faith in Christ, we must continue to live by faith. Living by faith means to eat and drink the flesh and blood of Christ—depending entirely on the Lord Jesus Christ from beginning to end. For in Christ, the wrath of God has already ceased. Instead, His great light has shone upon us, and that light continues to shine in our hearts in Christ.

The Lord’s Anger Against Israel

“8 The Lord has sent a message against Jacob; it will fall on Israel. 9 All the people will  now know it—Ephraim and the inhabitants of Samaria—who say with pride and arrogance of heart, 10 “The bricks have fallen down, but we will rebuild with dressed stone; the fig trees have been felled, but we will replace them with cedars.” 11 But the Lord has strengthened Rezin’s foes against them and has spurred their enemies on. 12 Arameans from the east and Philistines from the west have devoured Israel with open mouth. Yet for all this, his anger is not turned away, his hand is still upraised. (Isaiah 9:8–12)

God sent the prophet Isaiah to call His people to return to Him. Until that day comes, God disciplines and refines the people of Israel. That day refers to the coming of the Messiah, the Christ of God, who shines God’s great light. Until the day of repentance and return, the wrath of God does not stop. This is because of their hardness and disobedience.

But if they do not repent until the end, they will face judgment. They did not receive God’s discipline with humility; rather, they resisted and responded with arrogance. They boasted that they would rebuild what was torn down. Because of this, God stirred up their enemies—the Arameans and the Philistines—to consume Israel. Yet even then, “His anger is not turned away, his hand is still upraised.” (Isaiah 9:12)

“Edom may say, ‘Though we have been crushed, we will rebuild the ruins.’ But this is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘They may build, but I will demolish. They will be called the Wicked Land, a people always under the wrath of the Lord.’” (Malachi 1:4)

Because of His compassionate love, God does not cease His discipline until the sinner comes to Him for salvation. For if one continues in stubborn disobedience, they will ultimately fall into the inescapable fire of hell. That is why God continually sounds the warning and desires that they turn back to Him. Yet anyone who listens to the Lord’s invitation and returns will be forgiven of all sins and receive abundant grace of salvation.

God also spoke of His compassionate love through the prophet Jeremiah:

“5 Then the word of the Lord came to me. 6 “He said, ‘Can I not do with you, Israel, as this potter does?’ declares the Lord. ‘Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, Israel. 7 If at any time I announce that a nation or kingdom is to be uprooted, torn down and destroyed, 8 and if that nation I warned repents of its evil, then I will relent and not inflict on it the disaster I had planned. 9 And if at another time I announce that a nation or kingdom is to be built up and planted, 10 and if it does evil in my sight and does not obey me, then I will reconsider the good I had intended to do for it.’” (Jeremiah 18:5–10)

God also revealed His compassionate love through the prophet Joel:

“12 “Even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.” 13 Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity. 14 Who knows? He may turn and relent and leave behind a blessing—grain offerings and drink offerings for the Lord your God. (Joel 2:12–14)

But the People Have Not Returned to Him

13 But the people have not returned to him who struck them, nor have they sought the Lord Almighty. 14 So the Lord will cut off from Israel both head and tail, both palm branch and reed in a single day; 15 the elders and dignitaries are the head, the prophets who teach lies are the tail. 16 Those who guide this people mislead them, and those who are guided are led astray. 17 Therefore the Lord will take no pleasure in the young men, nor will he pity the fatherless and widows, for everyone is ungodly and wicked, every mouth speaks folly. Yet for all this, his anger is not turned away, his hand is still upraised.” (Isaiah 9:13-17)

Even though God kept calling them in mercy and love and warning them over and over again, they hardened their hearts even more. They didn’t return to Him or seek Him. It’s a heartbreaking reality. God never desires that anyone should perish. Just as in the days of Noah, when God saw how corrupt mankind had become, He even regretted that He had made human beings on the earth, and His heart was deeply troubled (Genesis 6:6).

Isaiah also cried out in sorrow in chapter 1:

“4 Woe to the sinful nation, a people whose guilt is great, a brood of evildoers, children given to corruption! They have forsaken the Lord; they have spurned the Holy One of Israel and turned their backs on him. 5 Why should you be beaten anymore? Why do you persist in rebellion? Your whole head is injured, your whole heart afflicted. 6 From the sole of your foot to the top of your head there is no soundness—only wounds and welts and open sores,
not cleansed or bandaged or soothed with olive oil.” (Isaiah 1:4-6)

So God, in a single day, suddenly cut off their head and tail, palm branch and reed. The head referred to the high-ranking officials, and the tail referred to the false prophets. The kings, priests, and rulers were in league with the false prophets and committed all kinds of evil, disobeying the holy word of God. Because of the disobedience of the kings and the deception of the false prophets, the people lost their godliness and spoke irreverently. God did not take delight even in the young men, nor did He show compassion to the orphans and widows.

This stands in contrast to the merciful character of God who doesn’t even break a bruised reed and who shows compassion to orphans and widows. Why was it different here? Because they had become utterly corrupt from head to tail. They held God in contempt and treated His commandments with disrespect. God does not look at outward appearances—He sees the heart. Anyone who comes to God with a broken and contrite heart will be washed clean and declared righteous by His merciful grace.

Yet, even then, the Lord’s anger was not turned away; His hand was still upraised.

God never gives up. That’s because His merciful love never changes. God’s holy love for His people is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He doesn’t want anyone to be lost—He wants everyone to be saved and enter heaven.

Yet for All This, His Anger is Not Turned Away, His Hand is Still Upraised

18 Surely wickedness burns like a fire; it consumes briers and thorns, it sets the forest thickets ablaze, so that it rolls upward in a column of smoke. 19 By the wrath of the Lord Almighty the land will be scorched and the people will be fuel for the fire; they will not spare one another. 20 On the right they will devour, but still be hungry; on the left they will eat, but not be satisfied. Each will feed on the flesh of their own offspring: 21 Manasseh will feed on Ephraim, and Ephraim on Manasseh; together they will turn against Judah. Yet for all this, his anger is not turned away, his hand is still upraised.” (Isaiah 9:18-21)

Their wickedness rose like fire to the heavens. Fire is an image of God’s judgment. Because of His wrath, the land burned and the people became like kindling for the fire. Compassion and affection vanished. People did not spare even their own brothers—they caused harm instead. Hunger became so severe that they even resorted to cannibalism (2 Kings 6:27–28). Tribal conflicts arose, and they even joined forces to attack Judah. All of this came because of God's righteous anger.

Yet for all this, the Lord’s anger was not turned away; His hand was still upraised.

The Lord’s outstretched hand means His mercy has not ceased. The Apostle Paul quoted Isaiah in Romans 10:

“But concerning Israel he says, ‘All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and obstinate people.’” (Romans 10:21)

God is holy—He cannot tolerate evil. That’s why His wrath remains against those who do evil and refuse to repent. But when people turn back and repent, He always forgives.

The prophet Jonah went to the violent and rebellious city of Nineveh and proclaimed just five Hebrew words: "Forty more days and Nineveh will be overthrown." From the king to the animals, everyone fasted in sackcloth and ashes, and turned to God. God spared the city for another hundred years. God truly is a God of mercy. Jonah got angry when God chose to save Nineveh, but God used that moment to teach Jonah about His gracious love and mercy.

“And should I not have concern for the great city of Nineveh, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left—and also many animals?” (Jonah 4:11)

God saved Rahab, the prostitute of Jericho, who feared the Lord after hearing about the plagues in Egypt and the parting of the Red Sea. She risked her life to hide and protect the two Israelite spies.

God also blessed Jacob, who wrestled with a man all night and turned back to the Lord. God renamed him Israel, meaning "he struggles with God,” or “God prevails.” It signifies that Jacob finally turned away from his own schemes and turned to God in desperation. This was the moment of Jacob that after all those years of struggles he came to God for true help!

So, what is repentance? It means dying to oneself completely—because the flesh is totally corrupt and unacceptable before God. The flesh rejects God. That’s why the New Covenant in Christ is this: “Nothing coming from me, everything coming from Him.” Because we are declared righteous in Christ, we now live—not by our own strength, but by His power and authority forever. God prevails!

April 24, 2025
Buffalo Livingstone Church ©2025, David Lee Ministries ©2025 – All Rights Reserved.
Scripture quotes are from the NIV.

A Child Has Been Born to Us, A Son Has Been Given to Us (Isaiah 9:1–7)

 

A Child Has Been Born to Us, A Son Has Been Given to Us (Isaiah 9:1–7)

What is the hope of humanity? It’s to be freed from the iron grip of death. But why are people trapped in the grip of death? It’s because of Adam’s sin. It may sound unfair—after all, we weren’t even born when Adam sinned. But just like no one can exist without parents, if you trace things back, we all come from Adam. Human life is connected as one. The proof? Just as Adam died, every single person dies—no exceptions.

To be set free from death, someone has to pay the price for it, for the wages of sin is death. The problem is, everyone is trapped in sin, so no one can take someone else’s place. That’s why God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to this world—because Jesus, the Son of God, had no sin. Jesus had absolutely no reason to die, yet He became a sacrificial offering for the sin of the world.

Today’s passage is a prophecy about Him, spoken through the prophet Isaiah about 700 years before Jesus came. It’s amazing to think—how could Isaiah have known something that would happen centuries later? Because the Almighty God, the Alpha and the Omega, revealed it to him.

There Will Be No More Gloom for Those Who Were in Distress

“Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress.
In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali,
but in the future he will honor Galilee of the nations,
by the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan—
The people walking in darkness have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of deep darkness
a light has dawned.” (Isaiah 9:1–2)

Zebulun and Naphtali were tribes of Israel, and they were given land in the northern part of land. That area was the first to be attacked by foreign nations, especially Aram and Assyria. In 722 BC, it fell to Assyria, and many were taken into captivity. Foreigners moved in, bringing with them their religions. The area became a mix of peoples and faiths. That’s why it came to be called "Galilee of the Gentiles"—it had lost Israel’s purity. Judah looked down on people from Galilee. Spiritually, it symbolized a region cut off from God’s blessing and inheritance—a place in darkness.

Galilee represents the whole world, trapped in darkness. This world does not know God, nor does it obey Him. And those who don’t know or obey God cannot inherit the kingdom of heaven.

But, into this forsaken and barren land spiritually, a great light from heaven shined. It was because of God’s mercy and gracious love. God desires that no one should perish but that all would receive eternal life.

When the morning sun rises, the dark night disappears, and a bright day begins. In the same way, when the great light shines on the land that was in darkness, the darkness must flee. This “great light” refers to the light of God. God is light. In Him there is no darkness at all. And so, anyone who is in God walks in the light—they no longer live in darkness.

“When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said,
‘I am the light of the world.
Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness,
but will have the light of life.’” (John 8:12)

The Lord Has Enlarged the Nation and Increased Their Joy

“You have enlarged the nation
and increased their joy;
they rejoice before you
as people rejoice at the harvest,
as warriors rejoice
when dividing the plunder.
For as in the day of Midian’s defeat,
you have shattered
the yoke that burdens them,
the bar across their shoulders,
the rod of their oppressor.
Every warrior’s boot used in battle
and every garment rolled in blood
will be destined for burning,
will be fuel for the fire.” (Isaiah 9:3–5)

When God’s great light shined on the land, it brought restoration, joy, and celebration. There was no more war—true peace had arrived. With no more fighting, weapons were no longer needed. Today, countries around the world pour astronomical amounts of money into military spending.

What does this mean spiritually? Humans are in a constant inner civil war. Of course, it’s not a war against neighbors, but a spiritual battle with Satan, the evil one. We want to do good, but our flesh is too weak. We don’t want to do evil, but we often end up doing it anyway. That’s the spiritual reality we live in.

God is love. He doesn’t hate the people He created. Instead, He has compassion and pours out grace for a thousand generations. But people like us? We tend to reject or hate those who are different from us. That’s why we live under guilt and discouragement. It’s a sign that we’re in an internal, spiritual war.

But when God’s great light shines on us, that relentless war comes to an end. True joy and peace arrive. God’s light drives out the darkness of guilt and despair. It’s because the precious blood of Jesus Christ washes away sin, making us clean and holy. Jesus bore the sins of the world and paid for them all.

For To Us a Child Is Born, To Us a Son Is Given

"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the greatness of his government and peace
there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne
and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
with justice and righteousness
from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty
will accomplish this." (Isaiah 9:6-7)

All the conflicts, battles, and wars came to an end—and peace, joy, and gladness increased—because a child was born to us. That child is Jesus Christ, who was born over two thousand years ago through the virgin Mary. As God had given a sign to King Ahaz, “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel”—which means “God with us.” (Isaiah 7:14)

Jesus was truly born as a baby in a manger in the little town of Bethlehem, between Mary and Joseph. But He wasn’t just a baby—He was the Son of God, carrying the weight of all authority on His shoulders. The Son of God came to this earth, becoming human. Jesus Christ came as the Messiah to save this world from sin—to rescue people from sin and death, and to give them eternal life.

And what power and authority does Jesus have to do this? It’s all revealed in His names:
He is Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace.

Jesus Christ is the Creator God, who made the heavens and the earth with His Word. He is the Alpha and the Omega—He knows everything and is the source of all wisdom. As the apostle Paul says in Romans:

"For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse." (Romans 1:20)

Human knowledge and wisdom are limited. Even with all our advancements in science and technology, and all we've uncovered about the universe and the human body, there’s still far more we don’t know than what we do. We've made strides in treating many diseases, but there are still so many we can’t cure. We’ve made progress in addressing mental health, but many conditions remain a mystery.

Despite the UN’s formation for global peace and the efforts of governments, scholars, and investors—racial conflicts, income inequality, systemic injustice, ideological and political clashes, East-West tensions, domestic abuse, sexual violence, workplace strife, and debates around gender and identity persist. No matter how much we boast of AI or other achievements, the world is still full of deep, unresolved issues—past and present, East and West alike.

And beyond all this, there’s a spiritual realm we cannot see. What happens after death? In that moment, humans are helpless—we can only cry out to the unseen God. Remember the story of Jonah? When the ship he was on was caught in a violent storm, every sailor prayed desperately to their own god. That’s exactly how powerless we are in life’s greatest crisis.

"Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment..." (Hebrews 9:27)

No one can avoid it.

But this child—Jesus Christ—who was born for us, carries all authority on His shoulders. He is all-knowing and all-powerful. Also, He is the Everlasting Father and the Prince of Peace. A father takes responsibility, protects and provides for his family. Earthly fathers can do that only to a point—after death, they cannot protect their children. But God, as our Everlasting Father, watches over His children for eternity.

And Jesus, the child born to us, is also the Prince of Peace. Why is peace so important to us? Who takes our peace away? On the surface, it might seem like our circumstances or surroundings do—but the deeper truth is, real peace only comes when we are at peace with God.

Think about the movie Ben-Hur. The main character, Judah, becomes enemies with his childhood friend, Messala. After escaping from slavery, Judah gets his revenge through a dramatic chariot race. But even then, he has no peace inside. It’s only when he meets the risen Christ—crucified and resurrected—that Judah finally finds peace and rest in his heart.

Sin is rebellion against God. Every person has fallen into sin and become an enemy of God. By nature, we are under God’s wrath. Without reconciliation with Him, there can be no peace or rest—only distress and trouble.

To have peace with God, our sins must be atoned for. But here’s the problem—we can’t free ourselves from sin. No position, heritage, success, or wealth can save us. That’s why God sent Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, as a child, to redeem us from our sins.

Peace Child by Don Richardson tells of his mission to the Sawi tribe in Papua, who honored betrayal as a virtue and saw Judas as the hero of the gospel. Struggling to share the Christian message, Richardson discovered their custom of exchanging a “peace child” to make peace between enemies. He used this as a bridge to explain Jesus as God’s peace child, which helped the Sawi understand and embrace the gospel.

Anyone who believes in Jesus Christ will be saved. God sees the blood of His Son and cleanses the sins of those who believe in Him—He gives them the gift of eternal life.

Of the greatness of His government and peace, there will be no end. He will sit on David’s throne and rule His kingdom with justice and righteousness forever. God is eternal. His kingdom is full of fairness, justice, and righteousness. No kingdom on earth is like that. That’s why the kingdom of God is our true hope. How can we be sure of this? The zeal of God will accomplish this!

Today is Easter Sunday. We celebrate the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Before Jesus was crucified, He shared the Last Supper with His disciples. At that meal, He gave them bread and said, “Take and eat; this is my body.” Then He took the cup and said, “Drink from it. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.”

"While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, 'Take and eat; this is my body.'
Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, 'Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.'" (Matthew 26:26–28)

What does this mean? Eating His body and drinking His blood is a reminder that Christ forgave our sins. It’s believing that He has forgiven all our sins—past, present, and future. Because of that, we now have peace with God. The power of death no longer rules over us.

And here’s the spiritual meaning: since God has forgiven us and made peace with us—His former enemies—we can now love and forgive others the same way. Amen!

We cannot truly love one another by our own strength. It is only possible through God’s grace and the love poured out after the redemption through the blood of Christ and the coming of the Holy Spirit. Jesus set the perfect example by loving us so that we, in turn, might love one another. In Christ, our old self has died, and we have been made new. The old self could not obey God—but the new self can.

April 20, 2025
Buffalo Livingstone Church ©2025, David Lee Ministries ©2025 – All Rights Reserved.
Scripture quotes are from the NIV.

 

 

The LORD Almighty Will Be Our Sanctuary (Isaiah 8:1–22)

 

The LORD Almighty Will Be Our Sanctuary (Isaiah 8:1–22)

Where is our refuge? Where can we find rest and peace? Certainly not in this world. No matter how attractive, beautiful, or delicious things may be, they’re only temporary. This world is perishing, corrupt, and fading. How could we be satisfied with something that fades away? How could we settle for anything less than what is eternal?

Our true refuge is the kingdom of heaven. The place God has prepared for us is eternal—it doesn’t perish, spoil, or fade. God's kingdom is invisible, yet He has revealed the way for His people to draw near to Him—through a tabernacle where His presence dwells.

This doesn’t mean that God is confined to physical space of the tabernacle, but rather, it serves as a way to teach His people how to draw closer to Him. This is how God shows us that He is true refuge.

Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz – "Quick to the Plunder"

1 The Lord said to me, “Take a large scroll and write on it with an ordinary pen: Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz.”  2 So I called in Uriah the priest and Zechariah son of Jeberekiah as reliable witnesses for me. 3 Then I made love to the prophetess, and she conceived and gave birth to a son. And the Lord said to me, “Name him Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz. 4 For before the boy knows how to say ‘My father’ or ‘My mother,’ the wealth of Damascus and the plunder of Samaria will be carried off by the king of Assyria.” (Isaiah 8:1–4)

The name Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz means “swift is the plunder, speedy is the spoil.” God often revealed His message of judgment through people’s names.

For instance, Isiah means “Jehovah has saved”, Uriah, “Jehovah is my light(flame)”, “Jehovah remembers”, Jeberekiah, and “Jehovah blesses.”

Isaiah obeyed God and wrote on a large scroll. His son’s name was a prophetic sign: before the child could even say “father” or “mother,” Israel and Aram would fall to Assyria. This was fulfilled around 722 BC:

"22 The Israelites persisted in all the sins of Jeroboam and did not turn away from them 23 until the LORD removed them from His presence, as He had warned through all His servants the prophets. So the people of Israel were taken from their homeland into exile in Assyria—and they are still there." (2 Kings 17:22–23)

Why did this happen? Because the Israelites abandoned the LORD and worshiped idols (2 Kings 17:7–8). They didn’t come to the true refuge, but turned instead to things that could never save them. Trusting in idols leads to destruction. Wealth and success can’t save us. Only worshiping and fearing the Lord Almighty brings salvation.

They Rejected the Gently Flowing Waters of Shiloah

5 The Lord spoke to me again: 6 “Because this people has rejected the gently flowing waters of Shiloah and rejoices over Rezin and the son of Remaliah, 7 therefore the Lord is about to bring against them the mighty floodwaters of the Euphrates—the king of Assyria with all his pomp. It will overflow all its channels, run over all its banks 8 and sweep on into Judah, swirling over it, passing through it and reaching up to the neck. Its outspread wings will cover the breadth of your land, Immanuel!” (Isaiah 8:5–8)

Shiloah’s waters flowed gently, but they were Jerusalem’s source of life—symbolizing God’s provision and protection. Jesus later told the man born blind to wash in the Pool of Siloam (John 9:11), and the man was healed.

But Israel didn’t trust in the Lord. Instead, they took joy in Rezin and Pekah, the kings of Aram and Israel. They made an alliance to fight Judah. When Judah refused to join, they attacked. In desperation, King Ahaz of Judah turned not to God, but to Assyria for help (2 Kings 16:7), even paying tribute to them. Ahaz didn’t seek a sign from God. He relied on a pagan power for salvation, dishonoring the One who could truly save.

The Wings of Immanuel Will Cover the Land

Though Israel faced judgment for their rebellion, God didn’t completely hand Judah over. The waters of Assyria rose as high as Judah’s neck, but didn’t drown it—because Immanuel, God with us, protected His people. Israel, however, was given into the hands of their enemies.

When Rezin and Pekah plotted against Judah, their threat made King Ahaz and his people tremble like trees swaying in the wind (Isaiah 7:2). But God told them not to fear. They were like two smoldering stubs of firewood (Isaiah 7:4). Judah’s safety didn’t come from political alliances—but from God’s faithful promise to protect under His wings.

Even when God’s people are stubborn and disobedient, He remains faithful to His covenant. Despite their rebellion and disobedience, God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, in fulfillment of the promise given to the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The Son, Jesus, obeyed the will of the Father and took on human flesh, humbling Himself in the form of a servant.

Immanuel – God With Us

Immanuel—God with us—was with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Abraham suffered the loss of his wife Sarah to the King of Egypt. Isaac was harassed and had his wells taken by Abimelech. Jacob was deceived and enslaved by his uncle Laban for twenty years. But God was their protector, their deliverer, and their guide—transforming them through every hardship into men of faith, refined like pure gold.

God showed He was with His people, by a pillar of cloud by day and fire by night, sending manna from heaven and water from the rock, keeping their clothes and shoes from wearing out, protecting them from enemies and diseases, parting the Red Sea and Jordan River, and destroying the walls of Jericho at the sound of the trumpet call.

And He is still with us today. The proof? Most importantly, the blood of Christ, which redeems us. He forgives us, so that we can draw nearer to Him. “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.” (1 John 1:7) God also gives us sunshine and rain, food to eat, clothes to wear, a roof over our heads, and protection from the evil one.

All these blessings remind us to trust and obey the LORD. When God is with us, we are safe under His wings—no matter where we are or what we face. But those who reject His invitation with stubborn hearts will face the righteous judgement. God, in sorrow and love, calls us to return. Let’s not turn away.

“31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?” (Romans 8:31-32)

The Plans of the Nations Will Not Succeed

9 Raise the war cry, you nations, and be shattered! Listen, all you distant lands. Prepare for battle, and be shattered! Prepare for battle, and be shattered! 10 Devise your strategy, but it will be thwarted; propose your plan, but it will not stand, for God is with us. (Isaiah 8:9-10)

Even if Assyria comes roaring in like a lion, in the end, they will fall. No matter how strong their army or how witting and cunning their strategies, they will ultimately fail—because the Lord Almighty is with His people.

Aram tried to conquer Judah, but God allowed Assyria to overtake Aram. Assyria didn’t know they were just a tool in God’s hand, and in their pride, they were later conquered by Babylon. And Babylon? The same fate awaited them. God raises up kingdoms, and He brings them down (Daniel 2:21).

Even though Babylon captured Judah and took its nobles into exile, the Lord, through the prophet Jeremiah, promised that after seventy years, His people would return to the land of Canaan.

When the nations of this world overpower God’s people, it’s not because they are stronger or more righteous—it’s only because God allowed it. That’s why every human plan ultimately fails, but the will and purpose of the Lord Almighty always prevails.

Jesus taught His disciples how to pray, saying, “Our Father in heaven, hallowed by your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” As followers of Christ, we believe and pray earnestly that the Lord’s will be done on earth every day.

God Will Be a Holy Place (Refuge)

11 This is what the Lord says to me with his strong hand upon me, warning me not to follow the way of this people: 12 “Do not call conspiracy everything this people calls a conspiracy; do not fear what they fear, and do not dread it.13 The Lord Almighty is the one you are to regard as holy, he is the one you are to fear, he is the one you are to dread.14 He will be a holy place; for both Israel and Judah he will be a stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall. And for the people of Jerusalem he will be a trap and a snare.15 Many of them will stumble; they will fall and be broken, they will be snared and captured.” (Isaiah 8:11-15)

God told Isaiah not to walk in the ways of the people around him—their ways were unjust and evil. Isaiah faced heavy opposition and persecution from these hard-hearted people who accused him of conspiracy and turned against him. But God told him not to fear them.

Isaiah had only One he should fear: the Lord Almighty. He is holy, awesome, and eternal, clothed in glory and majesty. The Creator of all things—He alone deserves our reverent fear.
True fear is not rooted in our circumstances, but in a right understanding of who God is—the sovereign Lord of all things.

To those who fear Him and listen to Him, God becomes a sanctuary—a place of refuge. God told Moses to build a tabernacle on earth based on the pattern of the heavenly one. So, people brought offerings to God’s sanctuary and found forgiveness and peace through the blood of the sacrifice. In that sacred space, they had divine fellowship and enjoyed God’s love, peace, and joy.

Today, we approach God's throne of grace through the blood of Christ. Through this spiritual fellowship, we can participate in God’s divine nature—love, joy, and peace.

But for those who reject the Lord and live in rebellion, He becomes a stone that trips them up. This points forward to Jesus Christ—the Savior God sent (see Matthew 21:44, Luke 18:18).

As it is written: “See, I lay in Zion a stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall, and the one who believes in him will never be put to shame.” (Romans 9:33).

Because of their hardened hearts and rebellion, Israel and Judah rejected Christ and fell into darkness, caught in traps of their own making. They didn’t know the Father and refused to believe in the Son.

Bind Up The Testimony And Seal The Law Among My Disciples

“16 Bind up this testimony of warning and seal up God’s instruction among my disciples.17 I will wait for the Lord, who is hiding his face from the descendants of Jacob. I will put my trust in him.18 Here am I, and the children the Lord has given me. We are signs and symbols in Israel from the Lord Almighty, who dwells on Mount Zion.” (Isaiah 8:16-18)

God hid His face from Jacob’s descendants—that’s His judgment against their rebellion. He allowed them to walk in their pride and sin (Romans 1:24, 26, 28). In that moment, Isaiah chose to wait on the Lord. He treasured God's word in his heart and stayed faithful. Even when the king and people rejected him, he fixed his eyes on the Almighty and put his hope in Him.

“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. For the joy set before Him, He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:2)

Isaiah saw his two sons—Shear-Jashub (“a remnant will return”) and Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz (“quick to plunder, swift to spoil”)—as living signs from God to the people.

Likewise, God gave us a sign—Immanuel. And just as He promised, He sent Jesus Christ about 2,000 years ago. Now we await His return—this time not as a humble servant, but as Judge and King of all. We cherish God’s promises in our hearts and wait in hope for our Lord’s return.

Follow God's Word, Not The World's Darkness

“19 When someone tells you to consult mediums and spiritists, who whisper and mutter, should not a people inquire of their God? Why consult the dead on behalf of the living? 20 Consult God’s instruction and the testimony of warning. If anyone does not speak according to this word, they have no light of dawn. 21 Distressed and hungry, they will roam through the land; when they are famished, they will become enraged and, looking upward, will curse their king and their God. 22 Then they will look toward the earth and see only distress and darkness and fearful gloom, and they will be thrust into utter darkness.” (Isaiah 8:19-22)

Going to psychics, spiritists, or false teachers is like asking the dead for advice about the living—it’s totally wrong. We should be seeking the living God, who gave us His word. Anyone who speaks contrary to Scripture has no light in them—they’re in darkness.

Those who follow false ways will wander, suffering, and starving spiritually. They’ll blame God and curse Him. But whether they look up or down, all they’ll find is darkness, despair, and anguish—utter darkness. And in the end, they’ll be cast into deep darkness.

This world is not our refuge, nor can it be. It remains under the influence of elemental spiritual forces, under the sway of the devil. At one time, we were all enslaved to these powers of darkness. As Scripture says, “So also, when we were underage, we were in slavery under the elemental spiritual forces of the world.” (Galatians 4:3)

But now, we have been redeemed by the precious blood of Christ Jesus. Because Jesus Christ our Lord became the man of sorrows, bearing all our pain, sin, shame, and guilt in our place. He took upon Himself the role of the suffering servant, offering His life for our transgressions and iniquities.

“4 Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. 5 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.” (Isiah 53:4-5)

Therefore, we are no longer under the power of evil but have been set free to serve the Lord alone. In the Lord Jesus Christ, we are truly free, because the truth set us free. We found our true refuge, Jesus Christ the Lord. Where there is freedom, there is rest and peace. Now, in this freedom, we joyfully and willingly serve the Lord, obeying His commandment to love another.

April 13, 2025
Buffalo Livingstone Church ©2025, David Lee Ministries ©2025 – All Rights Reserved.
Scripture quotes are from the NIV.