Today’s Scrip-Bit   25 February 2023 Isaiah 10:1.

25 Feb 2023 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Isaiah 10:1.        Woe unto them that decree unrighteous decrees, and that write grievousness (misfortune) which they have prescribed.

It’s snowing, it’s snowing, on a lazy Saturday morning! Yes friends, some of that white stuff is floating down from the heavens in my area. Wasn’t expecting it, but there it is, some good ole snow in the winter time. (smile) And again, this past week I did not receive any quotes from our friend Anselm, don’t know what’s wrong, don’t know if he’s decided to stop aspiring to inspire us for our tomorrows. The long and short of the story though, is that I have to wing it on my own again. (smile) So let’s see what the Lord has to say to us on this first Saturday in Lent of 2023. Let me open the Good Library and see where it directs us. Soon come. 

Oh Mama! The Good Library opened in the book of Isaiah to a section that’s titled: ‘Woe to the Abusers of Justice.’ And that’s still a very good topic to talk about today because the abuse of justice and the abusers are so very prevalent in these evil and ungodly times. And what does Isaiah say on the subject. He declares (ah Lord eh!!!): ‘Woe unto them that decree unrighteous decrees, and that write grievousness (misfortune) which they have prescribed.’ (Is. 10:1) 

And I don’t need to tell or remind us, that in this time of ours, there are so many unrighteous and grievous decrees being written, promulgated and eventually made law that Isaiah would have laughed at the comparatively small amount in his day. That’s because almost every law that’s written and passed nowadays is selfish, greedy and for the benefit of a handful of power brokers. And what’s the consequences of that kind of law making ? Isaiah said it very clearly on the Lord’s behalf. ‘To turn aside (deprive) the needy from judgement (justice), and to take away the right (what is right) from the poor of my people, that widows may be their prey, and that they may rob the fatherless.’ (Is. 10:2)

We couldn’t have put it any better my people. The poor, widows and orphans are suffering terribly in these times of plenty, because the rich and powerful are greedier than ever and enabling the system to give them more than they already have, while making it ever so difficult for the rest of the people to rise up and live a decent life, a life like what Christ died for them to have. The wickedness in our society is ever so rampant that it’s unbelievable. It’s like Bruh David describes it in Psalm 58, titled ‘Unjust Judges.’ 

He says: ‘Do ye indeed speak righteousness, O congregation (ye rulers that represent God)? do ye judge uprightly, O ye sons of men? Yea, in heart ye work wickedness; ye weigh the violence of your hands in the earth. The wicked are estranged from the womb: they go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies. Their poison is like the poison of the serpent: they are like the deaf adder (cobra) that stoppeth her ear; which will not hearken to the voice of charmers, charming never so wisely (ever so skillfully).’ (Ps. 58:1-5) 

Oh my people, our world is in such an ungodly uproar with all the wickedness and evil that’s being perpetrated each and every day in it. I don’t believe we’ve ever seen the levels of hate, anger, violence, strife, greed, selfishness and ungodliness that now permeates it. And the sad aspect is that the entire world is caught up in that evil and negative scenario, not only a few nations. With all the new technology and quick means of travel and moving information, our world has indeed become more like a global village than a far-flung entity. 

That means information and people, both good and bad can be moved around and across our world with ever increasing speed with the good or bad news they bring. And that’s exactly what’s happening. The purveyors of evil are spreading their greedy tentacles far and wide in their ungodly desire to control the world. That’s why there’s so much simmering as well as unleashed tension all over the globe right now. Consequently, nobody’s happy, and everyone has oodles of complaints, they consider legitimate. And in fact, many of them are. 

But here’s an interesting question that Isaiah posed to the wicked way back when. ‘And what will ye do in the day of visitation (punishment), and in the desolation which shall come from far? to whom will ye flee for help? and where will ye leave your glory?’ (Is. 10:3) Ah my fellow believers, that’s a very interesting question. What will happen to evil-doers when the Lord is ready to settle His accounts eh? 

But before we get to that, here’s what Bruh David asked the Lord to do to the wicked in Psalm 58. ‘Break (away) their teeth, O God, in their mouth: break out the great teeth of the young lions, O Lord. Let them melt (flow) away as waters which run continually: when he bendeth his bow to shoot his arrows, let them be as cut in small pieces. As a snail which melteth, let every one of them pass away: like the untimely birth (stillborn child) of a woman, that they may not see the sun. Before your pots can feel thorns (burning thorns), he shall take them away as with a whirlwind, both living, and in his wrath (as in his living and burning wrath).’ (Ps. 58:6-9) 

Wow! Bruh David didn’t make joke in asking the Lord to dispose of the wicked, both quickly and painfully. But here now is Isaiah’s answer to the fate of the wicked, as decreed by the Lord. ‘Without me they shall bow down under (among) the prisoners, and they shall fall under (among) the slain. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out (in judgement) still.’ (Is. 10:4) 

Yes friends, we bleat about how God is long-suffering, and He is, otherwise we would have been wiped off the face of the earth a long time ago. But nonetheless, He punishes for wrong behaviour in His own way. And that time the Lord allowed the Assyrians to dominate Israel for a number of years, for their disobedience, greed and injustice. So, if He can allow His chosen people to feel His wrath, what’s to prevent Him from doing the same to us eh? Absolutely nothing! 

And believe me people, if we keep on living the evil and ungodly way we’re currently doing, sooner or later we will indeed feel the wrath of God! Perhaps we’re even feeling it now, with all the global tragedy that’s happening. But the Lord has promised to protect the righteous, that’s why some (a remnant) of the Israelites survived the Assyrian domination and returned to the fold of God. ‘The remnant shall return, even the remnant of Jacob, unto the mighty God.’ (Is. 10:21) 

Meanwhile Bruh David was somewhat more vociferous when he spoke about the rejoicing of the righteous. He writes: ‘The righteous shall rejoice when he seeth the vengeance: he shall wash his feet in the blood of the wicked. So that a man shall say, Verily there is a reward for the righteous: verily he is a God that judgeth in the earth.’ (Ps. 58: 10-11) And so it should be…and so it is! The Lord protects the righteous, but punishes the evil doers. Please, please, let us not be numbered amongst the latter. That’s wisdom of eternal proportions! Much LOVE!

…to go against God’s will…is to feel His wrath…to do His will…is to enjoy His blessings… 

 Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZ    

Today’s Scrip-Bit 17 July 2021 Hebrews 13:8.

17 Jul 2021 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Hebrews 13:8.     Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and for ever.

One more rainy day, sleeping-in summer Saturday! And we sure are having a few of them. But who’s complaining eh? Certainly not me. (smile) I guess the Lord’s trying to make us appreciate the sunshine more when we do get it. And imagine, at nine o’clock on a summers’ day, the temperature is only 19 degrees. And this the height of summer. The weather patterns sure are changing. But thank God that One situation, or pattern NEVER changes: that’s Almighty God sitting strong and sure upon His heavenly throne controlling ALL things! Glory to God my faithful brethren! 

And by the way, I did not receive any quotes from our friend Anselm this week, so we just have to fly by the seat of our pants today. (smile) But the Lord has already pointed out the direction in which He wishes us to proceed; His unchanging and thus stable nature. And on the Pastor’s Corner Website, I found this interesting commentary on the subject by Brian Moore – not the one that some of us know (smile). 

It opens thus: ‘The God of the Bible never changes. He is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. That is why He is the only secure place man can put his faith and trust in. The fact that God is eternally unchanging makes Him unlike any other being in existence. Everything and everyone else in life changes constantly. Relationships change, people change, landscapes change, health changes, culture changes, etc. With everything around us changing so rapidly and our immediate future being filled with such uncertainty, we need to find an unchanging place to put our hope in. 

Lamentations 3:22-24 says, “Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul,“Therefore I hope in Him!”” Malachi 3:6 says, “For I am the Lord, I do not change; Therefore you are not consumed, O sons of Jacob.” God is unchanging in His existence, in His Attributes, and in His counsel. That is why He is where unshakeable hope comes from.’ 

And that’s the everlasting truth my people! Our God never changes, and because some of us don’t believe it, or still have some doubts, today we are going to look at some scriptures that authenticate that statement. We’ve already heard what Malachi and Jeremiah has to say, so let’s move on to Hebrews, and the author of that Book, which many believe was written by Bruh Paul, unequivocally says: ‘Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and for ever.’ (Heb. 13:8) 

Oh friends, you could not get any closer to unchanging than that! Meanwhile James, Jesus’ brother, tells us in no uncertain terms: ‘Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness (variation), neither shadow of turning.’ (James 1:17) And the scholars add their two cents worth to James’ statement. 

On the Immutability of God, which James specifies in that verse, they say: ‘Since all changes are either for the better or for the worse, God is unchanging because He is perfect and cannot get any better nor become worse. The Scriptures describe God’s nature, will and character as immutable or unchanging. Illustration: To be immutable, however does not mean to be immobile. God also has the qualities of personality and can act, think, create, and make decisions. Application: God is unchanging, therefore, Christians can depend on His LOVE and power, because God has not changed since biblical times, (First Ref. Ps. 9:7; Primary Ref. James 1:17; cf. Lev. 19:2).’ 

Now a tidbit from Isaiah on the subject. ‘The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God will stand for ever.’ (Is. 40:8) Mama O Mama! What constancy and stability we have in the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob! Now hear these remarkable, but oh so true words from the psalmist as he cries out for help to the Lord. 

‘I said, O my God, take me not away in the midst of my days: thy years are throughout all generations. Of old hast thou laid the foundations of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands. They shall perish, but thou shalt endure (continue): yea, all of them shall wax (grow) old like a garment; as a vesture (cloak) shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed: But thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end.’ (Ps. 102:24-27) 

Oh my people, my people, how much more do we need to satisfy us that our God is not only good, LOVING, generous, merciful and kind, but also unchangeable eh?  And don’t think for one moment that we’ve run out of scripture that attest to that fact nuh. (smile) So listen up. The psalmist declares with sure authority: ‘The counsel of the Lord standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations. Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.’ (Ps. 33:11-12) 

What wonderful assurance of stability! And doesn’t it make you feel like you’re riding on a cloud of joy, knowing that you are one of those people whom the unchangeable, everlasting, ever-LOVING God has chosen for His own inheritance? It ought to. And we can never leave out these marvellous words of Isaiah. ‘Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.’ (Is. 40:28) 

What more can we ask eh friends? But just in case you still have doubts, let’s listen to Moses, who probably had more intimate dealings with God during his lifetime, than any other human being. He says in his only Psalm. ‘Lord, thou hast been our dwelling place (refuge) in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed (given birth to) the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting thou art God.’ (Ps. 90:1-2) 

And yuh know what everlasting means mih people; never-ending, endless, without end, perpetual, undying…that means forever! So, if you want something or someone to hold on to that does not change or die, then the Lord God of Israel is the One to hold on to. 

And we are going to end with the best scripture of all time: ‘For God so LOVED the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.’ (John 3:16) And that’s the crowning scripture my fellow saints in Christ, for without that magnanimous gesture on the part of our great God, everything else is meaningless. 

So please, let’s not allow it go to waste nuh, let’s accept Christ as our Lord and Saviour, so that we can dwell with Him, the Father, and the Holy Spirit right down through eternity. That’s wisdom of eternal proportions! Much LOVE!

…our God is a rock…a fortress… a strong foundation…on which to lean and build on…                                                                                         

Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZJ8