John 12:39-40. For this reason they could not believe, for Isaiah said again, "He has blinded their eyes and He hardened their heart, so that they would not see with their eyes and perceive with their heart, and be converted and I heal them."

We believe there is one God from whom are all things, and He is love. Isaiah also recorded this stunning declaration of God to Cyrus 400 years before He was born.

Isaiah 45:6-7. “That men may know from the rising to the setting of the sun that there is no one besides Me. I am the Lord, and there is no other, the One forming light and creating darkness, causing well-being and creating calamity; I am the Lord who does all these.”

As we hear or read Jesus’ reference to Isaiah regarding Israel, we should recognize and acknowledge that there is no other God besides the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. All of this calamity was done in love so we could live to love with Jesus.

Acknowledgment: Music from “Carried by the Father” by Eric Terlizzi. www.ericterlizzi.com