King James Bible Study – [Mark 8:34 And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.]
Date: Sunday, August 01, 2021
Chapters: Isaiah 63-66
Message: Resist the Resistance
Hello My Friend,
Did you ever notice that when God reveals His promises to you that there is all kinds of resistance in obtaining them? And do you know how many Christians get themselves caught up in the resistance? That is actually a staggering number. Let me tell you, none of us want the resistance, but we also want the things we want when we want them, and if we do not get them, that is when the resistance becomes more appealing. When the resistance becomes more appealing that is when we need to remind ourselves of what Jesus said, [Luke 12:28-32 If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith? 29 And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. 30 For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. 31 But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you. 32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.]
We, who are saved and born again have the joy of knowing that one day we will no longer have to worry about one bill that needs to be paid, or how we are going to feed our family, or the resistance because we will be with Jesus. Amen! We need to realize something, all the things that are going on in the world right now are the result of way too many “Christians” getting caught up in the resistance and not being able to get themselves out of it. Instead of humbling themselves and turning to Christ, they are resisting Him, and because they are resisting Him they facing more and more affliction. What is the saying, “Oh, what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive.” Right now at this very moment, God is sending an altar call, judgment is coming, and it will not be just upon the Jews, it will be also to those who call themselves Christians and are not. As we finish up the Book of Isaiah, God stresses His anger toward those who reject His call.
[Isaiah 63:1,3-6 Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? this that is glorious in his apparel, travelling in the greatness of his strength? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save. 3 I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people there was none with me: for I will tread them in mine anger, and trample them in my fury; and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments, and I will stain all my raiment. 4 For the day of vengeance is in mine heart, and the year of my redeemed is come. 5 And I looked, and there was none to help; and I wondered that there was none to uphold: therefore mine own arm brought salvation unto me; and my fury, it upheld me. 6 And I will tread down the people in mine anger, and make them drunk in my fury, and I will bring down their strength to the earth.]
[therefore mine own arm brought salvation unto me;] God is reminding us that He is the one who came here in the flesh through His Son, Jesus Christ, to save those who put their faith and trust in Him. He gave His life to save those who are afflicted, and also reminds us that He will only save those who come to Him. Now, as God continues, He goes on to stress the importance of us knowing why He redeems only those who call on Him.
[Isaiah 63:9-11,14,16 In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old. 10 But they rebelled, and vexed his holy Spirit: therefore he was turned to be their enemy, and he fought against them. 11 Then he remembered the days of old, Moses, and his people, saying, Where is he that brought them up out of the sea with the shepherd of his flock? where is he that put his holy Spirit within him? 14 As a beast goeth down into the valley, the Spirit of the LORD caused him to rest: so didst thou lead thy people, to make thyself a glorious name. 16 Doubtless thou art our father, though Abraham be ignorant of us, and Israel acknowledge us not: thou, O LORD, art our father, our redeemer; thy name is from everlasting.]
[though Abraham be ignorant of us, and Israel acknowledge us not:] Abraham died, never seeing the promise that God had of him becoming the father of so many children that it would be like counting the stars in the sky, [Genesis 15:5 And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be.]. And Jacob died never seeing the promise that God would send Shiloh, who is Jesus, [Genesis 49:10 The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.] However, they both died having faith in those promises, and for that reason, they too are accepted by God even though the never seen or heard of the name of Jesus, [Hebrews 11:13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.]
God is no respecter of persons, He deals with sin and rebellion the same way with all people, if they choose Him, He will accept them as one of His. Through Isaiah, we are reminded that it is sin that separates us from God, that none of us are righteous on our own to save ourselves, and He calls on all to come to Him.
[Isaiah 64:3-4,6-7 When thou didst terrible things which we looked not for, thou camest down, the mountains flowed down at thy presence. 4 For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him. 6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. 7 And there is none that calleth upon thy name, that stirreth up himself to take hold of thee: for thou hast hid thy face from us, and hast consumed us, because of our iniquities.]
[for thou hast hid thy face from us,] There is a reason why we do not get saved sooner that we did, Christ only reveals Himself to us when we believe in Him. God only reveals spiritual things to those who know Him, if we know Christ, then we know God, and if we know God than we have His Spirit in us, showing us these things, including the truth that not every Jew will be saved, neither will every person who calls themselves a Christian. God never forces Himself on anyone, He does call on us, but just like we must answer the phone that is ringing, so, we must answer His call or we will be held responsible for our sin.
[Isaiah 65:1-2,5,12 I am sought of them that asked not for me; I am found of them that sought me not: I said, Behold me, behold me, unto a nation that was not called by my name. 2 I have spread out my hands all the day unto a rebellious people, which walketh in a way that was not good, after their own thoughts; 5 Which say, Stand by thyself, come not near to me; for I am holier than thou. These are a smoke in my nose, a fire that burneth all the day. 12 Therefore will I number you to the sword, and ye shall all bow down to the slaughter: because when I called, ye did not answer; when I spake, ye did not hear; but did evil before mine eyes, and did choose that wherein I delighted not.]
[I am sought of them that asked not for me;] There is an amazing revelation here of those who are not Jews coming to seek God, but this is also addressed to Israel, who are the rebellious people He is referring to. This is actually addressed to all people who stand by themselves, thinking that they are holier than God. These are people who walk in the ways of their religion, even if they do believe in Christ, and they are worse off than those who do not know who Christ at all because they believe their own righteousness will save them. Until we humble ourselves and admit we have sinned and cannot save ourselves, that is when Christ will reveal Himself to us. It is just like when Moses saw the burning bush and passed by it, it was not until he looked back that He revealed Himself to him. And yes, it was Jesus, [Exodus 3:2-4 And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed. 3 And Moses said, I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt. 4 And when the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I.]
There is not one person on earth that does not seek some form of help from their affliction, once in a while someone unexpectedly stumbles upon and finds Christ through theirs. Sadly, many who know Christ continue to suffer. Why? They seek God’s help, but it is vain, meaning they never remove the sin from their lives, or even acknowledge it as sin. Of course, He wants us obedient because that is what keeps us from needless suffering, when we can call out to Him sincerely that is when He will hear us, and in fact, answer us before we even speak to Him. Through Isaiah, God reminds us this also that those who do accept the call and receive Him as their Saviour will rejoice, not on this earth, but on the new earth.
[Isaiah 65:15-17,24-25 And ye shall leave your name for a curse unto my chosen: for the Lord GOD shall slay thee, and call his servants by another name: 16 That he who blesseth himself in the earth shall bless himself in the God of truth; and he that sweareth in the earth shall swear by the God of truth; because the former troubles are forgotten, and because they are hid from mine eyes. 17 For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind. 24 And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear. 25 The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock: and dust shall be the serpent’s meat. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith the LORD.]
[that before they call, I will answer;] Here is a hint, even if you are saved, if you are not repentant and continue to live in sin, He will not hear your calling out to Him. None of us are perfect, even after we are saved we fail God more times than we care to admit, but that really is not what God is after. What He wants more than obedience is actually for us to have a poor and contrite spirit.
[Isaiah 66:1-2,10-13 Thus saith the LORD, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest? 2 For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word. 10 Rejoice ye with Jerusalem, and be glad with her, all ye that love her: rejoice for joy with her, all ye that mourn for her: 11 That ye may suck, and be satisfied with the breasts of her consolations; that ye may milk out, and be delighted with the abundance of her glory. 12 For thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river, and the glory of the Gentiles like a flowing stream: then shall ye suck, ye shall be borne upon her sides, and be dandled upon her knees. 13 As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you; and ye shall be comforted in Jerusalem.]
[even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit,] [Contrite; To break or bruise; to rub or wear.] To be contrite literally means to be worn or bruised, a heart that has been broken, knowing that it has sinned against the Almighty God is one that gets God’s attention. And He will hear the humble cries of brokenhearted over those who are of a proud heart any day, [James 4:8-10 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. 9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. 10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.]
Jesus Christ Magnified: [Isaiah 63:8 For he said, Surely they are my people, children that will not lie: so he was their Saviour. Isaiah 66:16 For by fire and by his sword will the LORD plead with all flesh: and the slain of the LORD shall be many.]
Today’s Prayer: Jesus, I believe in the sacrifice that You made for me, and I put my faith and trust in You that one day I will see You face to face. I know my works do not get me into heaven, but they do show You just how thankful I am of what You have done for me. They also remind me that I can do absolutely nothing without You and just how weak my flesh is to the resistance if I am not walking in Your strength. Lord, lead me and guide me, let me enter and remain in Your rest, fully protected and comforted by Your loving arms, at all times. Never let me forget that I am Yours and You are mine and no matter what I have done that will never change. Keep me humble and always seeking You for it is only when I take my eyes off you that the I will fall into the resistance. I love You, Lord and ask this in Your name, Jesus. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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