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July 17th

The bible reading is in Isaiah chapters 18-22.

In the midst of God judging the nations, we read some hard sayings against God’s people. Perhaps God was using Isaiah to preach messages that would stir the hearts of His people and motivate some soul searching by His careless ones. How? By couching the convicting words with a softness.

In Chapter 22 Isaiah entitled his sermon, “An oracle concerning the valley of vision”. His God-given message was directed to the city of Jerusalem.

Wasn't Jerusalem built on a mountain? Yes. But it was a mountain surrounded by mountains, many taller and much larger. So, from some mountain tops, Jerusalem could be considered “ down below”...in a “valley” of sorts. The prophet called Jerusalem, “the valley of vision”.

The “Vision of God” God’s powerful and majestic presence upon the temple. And within the veil of the Holy Place. Between the cherubim on the bloody mercy seat.

The “Vision “from” God” to prophets, for multiplied hundreds of years for the sake of the people of God.

Jerusalem...the valley of vision. Could it mean "God “seeing” everything...God “watching” over His own people of faith. I believe so.

Listen to one of my favorite Old Testament verses in 2 Chronicles 16. “For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, seeking to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose hearts are completely His.”

‭‭2 Chronicles‬ ‭16:9‬ ‭

Just coming down the mountain into the Kidron valley and looking upon the beautiful city of David and the temple glistening in the sun. What a sight...what a vision to behold...”God lives there”...people would whisper...O for a glimpse of Him.

O Christian friend we are the place that God dwells. By His Spirit, God dwells in us. Put us in a church full of other followers of Christ and together, Peter would say, “stone by stone God has built His church. His Temple, and when people whisper about us, may they say, “that is where God lives”. O for a glimpse of Him.

So what were the hard words that Isaiah spoke to Jerusalem? Let us listen...“God has taken away the covering of Judah. In that day you looked to the weapons of the House of the Forest,”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭22:8‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Babylonian captivity is on the way. And what are you doing? Looking to your cash of weapons stored in the Temple? Looking to the thickness of your city walls? Looking to the cisterns that will hold plenty of water You're looking in the wrong place. You have forgotten your Savior God. And therefore God has taken away your covering. You're on your own.

Wow, some hard words. Did Judah repent under such heavy preaching? Some perhaps...but most did not.

Do you remember the purpose of the Lord’s Supper? Remembering” Jesus, and his death on the cross for our salvation. The broken bread symbolizing Christ’s broken body on the cross, and the cup of the fruit of the vine symbolizing the shed blood of Jesus on the cross which bought our salvation from our sins.

Judah forgot God, and God took away Judah’s covering for a while. We too forget the Savior. He may discipline us...but He promised never to leave us.

Jesus. You are better.

Have a good day.