July 16 – Isaiah 13-17

Below are my thoughts from the daily Bible reading of the West Side Church of Christ. Today’s reading comes from Isaiah 13-17. Before reading I invite you to pray and asked God to speak to you as you read his word. Also above in the tabs is a link to the Bible reading plan.

We are drawing near to the end of both Israel and Judah as nations. It seems like every generation has struggled to follow God. So now God is predicting their destruction. This prediction for Judah is not an empty threat. This prediction is coming with some specifics. God calls out the nation he will use to deliver the blow … the Babylonians.

When we read chapter thirteen of Isaiah we see this prediction given through Isaiah’s words. What amazes me is that while God is going to use Babylon it does not mean he approves of their actions, their worship, or their lifestyles. Does this give you some idea at how horrible God’s so-called consecrated people had become? In the same chapter where God proclaims he is going to use Babylon to pour out his vengeance he also says he is going to one day destroy them. And again he gives indication of who will bring their end … the Medes.

God’s hand on the movements of nations is amazing. It makes me wonder what it is God is up to here in America. Sure we have free will, but I wonder if God is at work preparing and doing something that we are just not aware of. All I know is that to those faithful, to those who follow God, who continue to worship, God will honor. All I know is we can never stop sharing the love of God. Israel and Judah held off God’s wrath because they repented and worshiped; they listen to the words of God’s messengers the prophets. Maybe it is our responsibility as the faithful to be God’s messengers today. Maybe it is taking the frog in the kettle, things heating up real fast that will wake us up. I pray this is the case.